The Daily Source of Urban Planning News

Observers have anxiously wondered what will happen to America's urban revival as Millennials start families and seek the types of amenities more readily found in the suburbs. Relax, says Shane Phillips, cities will be fine and suburbs will be better.

August 28 - Better Institutions

Far from applying the government's policy of brownfield first, the number of new houses planned for greenfield sites has doubled since reform of the planning system in England reduced protection for greenbelt land.

August 28 - The Telegraph

In the land of the blooming condo high-rise a different housing type is starting to sprout - the 'urban townhouse'. Tracy Hanes explains what makes such homes attractive to buyers, and looks at three popular townhouse projects.

August 28 - Toronto Star

Recognizing the obstacle to redevelopment and livability presented by its outdated parking requirements, Cincinnati leaders have reduced parking minimums in the central business district and historic Over-the-Rhine neighborhood, reports Randy Simes.

August 27 - Cincinnati Business Courier

By building a new headquarters in downtown Seattle, Amazon is attracting residential developers, new restaurants, and other tech companies to a rapidly transforming neighborhood. Can the city keep up with the demand for infrastructure and amenities?

August 27 - The New York Times

Bike-share users in Montreal, New York, Minneapolis, and D.C. all have one thing in common, they're sitting atop the same Bixi bike designed by Michel Dallaire. How each city brands their bikes is a potent statement and key piece of their success.

August 27 - Designers & Books

This time it's not BART that's closing down. In fact, BART will be running 24-hour service after the Bay Bridge shuts down Wednesday at 8 pm for five days in preparation for the opening of the long-awaited, new eastern span on September 3 at 5 am.

August 27 - The San Francisco Examiner

A new report out this week has ranked the Top 10 "Internet Cities" around the globe, based on a set of five criteria: connection speed, availability of citywide WiFi, openness to innovation, support of public data, and security/data privacy.

August 27 - Future Cities

The Israeli-Palestinian conflict is bound up in intersecting issues of place, history and geography, among other things. Two Israeli architects believe architecture and urban design can help lead to an agreeable solution.

August 27 - Smithsonian

Sarah Watson makes the case for micro-apartments, those controversial 250-350 sq. ft. units that neighbors often oppose but meet a critical need.

August 27 - The Urbanist

25 years after development started on Gaithersburg's model New Urbanist community Kentlands, Dan Malouff surveys the movement's impact on America's development patterns. He argues its products are more necessary in less-urban environments.

August 27 - Greater Greater Washington

With major new developments underway, corporate cutbacks and 'hot-desking' are driving Sydney's commercial landlords to convert surplus office space to residential apartments. Carolyn Cummins and Stephen Nicholls consider the long term implications.

August 27 - Sydney Morning Herald

Elizabeth A. Harris looks at how architectural renderings are used to sway opinion on development projects. Such tools aren't unique to our digital age, but have a much longer pedigree.

August 27 - The New York Times

Photo essay reviews some of history's most notable failed mass transit projects.

August 26 - Wired

With evidence on the harmful health impacts of vehicle emissions increasing, the EPA will begin monitoring pollution levels adjacent to freeways in Los Angeles and more than 100 of America's biggest cities. Experts say the action is long overdue.

August 26 - Los Angeles Times

Over the weekend, a massive fire burning near Yosemite National Park continued to grow, prompting Governor Brown to declare a state of emergency for San Francisco County (more than 100 miles to the west) and altering the area's treasured landscape.

August 26 - San Francisco Chronicle

In recent months, a massive speed-camera program has been causing quite a stir in the tiny town of Elmwood Place, Ohio.

August 26 - Atlantic Cities

By 2050, scientists believe that flooding could inflict $1 trillion in annual loses globally, up from $6 billion per year today. The United States and China are well represented in a list of the 20 cities facing the highest annual flood costs.

August 26 - The Washington Post

The energy industry's plans to transport oil and coal bound for Asia via rail through the Pacific Northwest provokes outrage and a lawsuit.

August 26 - The New York Times

Unable to find funding to repair roads damaged by the booming oil industry traffic, Texas will convert asphalt roads to gravel. Texas's gas tax is among the lowest in the nation.

August 26 - The Texas Tribune