The Daily Source of Urban Planning News

Slicing the Mobility Pie in Africa's Cities

The research wing of the non-profit think tank Future Cape Town has produced an infographic that provides valuable insight into the mobility patterns found in some of Africa's largest cities. Less sustainable options are growing, raising concerns.

June 13 - Future Cape Town

LEED-ND Proves Effective at Reducing Driving

Using complex transportation modeling, new research published in the Journal of Planning Education and Research confirms that developments built to the standards of LEED for Neighborhood Development (LEED-ND) reduce driving and associated emissions.

June 13 - NRDC Switchboard Blog

As Feds Drag Their Feet on New Regulations, Environmentalists Fume

Worries about the economic impacts of new regulations, high-level vacancies and election-year politics have raised the review time for new rules being considered by the Obama administration to a 20-year high. Many in his own party are not pleased.

June 13 - The New York Times

London Skyline

Are Skyscrapers Profitable?

Yes and no, says Peter Bill. As a look at London's delightfully nicknamed towers - the Shard, the Walkie-Talkie, the Cheesegrater - shows, it may take years, and multiple economic cycles for skyscrapers to recoup their investment.

June 13 - London Evening Standard

Graduation Ceremony

FEATURE

Graduating Into the Workplace: Perspectives from Recent Planning Grads

As a new cohort of young planners prepares to enter the field, more than a dozen recent graduates share their insights on how to make the most of a planning education and navigate one of the most challenging job environments in recent memory.

June 12 - Erica Gutiérrez


Suburban Poor? Are You Sure?

Brookings Institute's “Confronting Suburban Poverty” is generating a lot of buzz. Community development leaders and planners took to Rooflines to voice opinions and critiques of the book, moving its authors to submit a response that you must read.

June 12 - Rooflines

Dutch Fyra Train

Dutch High-Speed Rail Dream Turns to Disaster

A multi-billion dollar project to expand high-speed rail service between Amsterdam and Brussels has been derailed by malfunctioning trains, costing the head of the Dutch national rail company his job and threatening an international imbroglio.

June 12 - Yahoo Finance


Housing Discrimination Prevalent in the U.S., But Difficult to Detect

A report published this week by the U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development concludes that although it is less blatant than in the past, discrimination against minorities persists in the selling, buying and renting of homes.

June 12 - The Washington Post

Efforts to Boost Walkability Meet Hostility in Twin Cities’ Suburbs

A fragmented network of sidewalks is commonplace in the suburbs of Hennepin County, Minnesota. Mary Jane Smetanka reports on controversial efforts to fill in the gaps and retrofit these suburban neighborhoods as walkable places.

June 12 - Star Tribune

The Obama Transportation Funding Tease

Expect a major announcement from President Obama later this year about transportation funding, stated outgoing DOT Secretary Ray LaHood, without elaborating other than saying it would be "big and bold". LaHood had been asked about VMT fees.

June 12 - Governing

Cities Struggle to Maintain Affordable Housing Near Transit

In Seattle, and elsewhere, city leaders are struggling to maintain the supply of affordable housing in close proximity to transit stations. Rising rents in areas near stops are displacing lower-income residents.

June 12 - The Wall Street Journal

Reborn San Diego Planning Department Gets New Director

Mayor Bob Filner's promise to revive San Diego's shuttered planning department became a reality with the announcement of Bill Fulton as its new director. The former mayor and author of the 'definitive guide to California planning' starts on July 8.

June 12 - The San Diego Union-Tribune

A Streetcar to Desire: An Argument for Converting Roads to Rails

Terra Nova author Eric W. Sanderson builds a refreshingly wonky case for a modern streetcar revival.

June 12 - Places Journal

New York Plans $20 Billion Battle Against Climate Change

On Tuesday, Mayor Bloomberg outlined an ambitious $20 billion plan to adapt New York City's infrastructure and built and natural environments to respond to the threats of rising seas and extreme storms.

June 12 - The New York Times

Old-Age Adaptation: Our Next Great Urban Challenge

Americans are living longer and changing the demographic profiles of our cities in the process. Planners are just beginning to understand how our streets and systems must adapt to accommodate this trend.

June 12 - The Atlantic Cities

Chicago's Murder Wave Ebbs; How'd They Do That?

Last year, Chicago experienced a surge in gun violence that drew national attention. So far this year, shootings and crime are down significantly thanks to a mix of tactics employed by city leaders. Is the drop in crime sustainable?

June 11 - The New York Times

How Much of the World's Urbanization is Being Driven by Overseas Land Acquisitions?

Since 2006, agro-businesses, hedge-funds, financial firms, and government agencies have splurged on an overseas land-buying binge. As Saskia Sassen explains, such purchases disrupt the status quo, forcing local residents to migrate to cities.

June 11 - The Guardian

Westside Fights Smart Growth: Can Any Development Navigate L.A.'s Traffic Nightmare?

On the Westside of L.A., where rush hour traffic slows to a crawl on the best days, a proposed transit-oriented development called the 'quintessential example' of smart growth by the Mayor's staff faces opposition to its size and attraction to autos.

June 11 - Los Angeles Times

The Case for Protecting Strip Malls from 'Commercial Gentrification'

As our suburbs diversify, the most affordable commercial districts found in such areas (often in strip malls) become an important entry point for immigrants to build their 'American Dream'. Kaid Benfield asks if such opportunities deserve protection.

June 11 - NRDC Switchboard Blog

Finding Room for a Million More New Yorkers

New York City's population is expected to grow by one million residents by 2040. But where can housing be built to accommodate all these new residents? A new report from a Columbia University think tank identifies the most promising candidates.

June 11 - The Wall Street Journal

Post News

Top Books

An annual review of books related to planning.

Top Schools

The definitive ranking of graduate planning programs.

100 Most Influential Urbanists

The who's who of urbanism, according to Planetizen readers.

Urban Planning Creators You Should Know

A short list of voices on social, video, and podcasting platforms.

Urban Design for Planners 1: Software Tools

This six-course series explores essential urban design concepts using open source software and equips planners with the tools they need to participate fully in the urban design process.

Planning for Universal Design

Learn the tools for implementing Universal Design in planning regulations.