The Daily Source of Urban Planning News
Word-of-Mouth Walking
In this holiday essay, spelunker John Watts delivers an everyman’s take on Chesterton’s oft-noted adage: Places don’t become loved because they are great; they become great because they are loved. Does your town invite “word-of-mouth walking?”
Bicycling: Good for the Brain and the Body
The physical benefits of cycling are well known, but researchers are just beginning to understand how riding a bike benefits our brains, writes Simon Usborne.
Will Removal of Billboards Make L.A. Streets Safer or More Dangerous?
A recent court order demanding the removal of 100 digital signs across L.A. was seen as a victory for those who had complained about the bright, and potentially distracting, billboards. But a sign company is arguing the order will harm public safety.
Legendary Map Designer Disses Competition
At a recent talk at the New York City Transit Museum, Massimo Vignelli, designer of the iconic 1972 NYC subway map, discussed his opinions of the subway maps that preceded and followed his groundbreaking design.
From 'Wasteland' to Mixed-Use 'Mosaic'
Alison M. Rice looks at the transformation of the Washington D.C. suburb of Merrifield, Va. from an industrial-suburban wasteland to a $542 million mixed-use development.
Big Houses Return
Homeowners have been downsizing their homes in the last five years, but now 84 percent of homeowners want to stay put or move into a larger home. This change in trend can be attributed to growing families and their need for more living space.
Friday Funny: Traffic Jam 2013
From the satirical paper The Onion comes news of Traffic Jam 2013 -- a highway concert series that is either commentary on the placelessness of the country's vast highway system or just another way to poke fun at Transportation Secretary Ray LaHood.
L.A. Bike-Share to Launch in April
This week, Southern California-based Bike Nation, a new player in the bike sharing business that has pledged $16 million toward L.A.'s first bike-share network, announced that the system will launch in April, just a year after it was announced.
Light Rail Seen as Route to 'Big City' Status for Ottawa
By unanimous vote, Ottawa's city council approved the contract to build a $2.1 billion light rail system for the Canadian capital this week, reports David Reevely. The vote comes after the failure of a similarly bold rail plan approved six years ago.
Architecture for the End of the World
The good news is that we've survived yet another doomsday prophecy. Bad news - there's plenty more reasons to think our world is under threat. Vanessa Quirk looks at architectural responses to the threat - real or imagined - of apocalypse.
SF Housing Construction: From Bust to Boom
What a difference a year makes! In 2011, 269 new housing units were added while over 4,220 new housing units are now under construction. Gabriel Metcalf, executive director of the San Francisco Planning + Urban Research Association (SPUR), explains.
2012: A Banner Year for L.A.'s Pedestrians
Will 2012 be remembered as the year people realized that everyone walks in L.A.? Alissa Walker reviews the 12 events from the past year that demonstrate a changing perspective towards the city's pedestrians.
Coal Ascendant in the 21st Century
Coal burning is rising everywhere save the U.S. If no changes are made to promote alternatives, it will overtake oil as the world's top energy source within a decade according to a new report from the Paris-based International Energy Agency (IEA).
Biking to Work is a Slam Dunk
Lance Armstrong may no longer be the first athlete Americans associate with bicycle riding; and that may be a good thing after the last year he's had. This week, NBA MVP LeBron James's bicycle commute became national news.
Reduce, Reuse, Recycle Housing
South Front, in Wilmington, NC, made use of an abandoned and decayed, 40s-era public housing project, salvaging and renovating every building rather than scraping the site. Scott Doyon talks about several of the reasons that's cool.
Infill Development Picks Up Speed Across the U.S.
A report released this week by the U.S. EPA finds that 71 percent of the country's large metro regions saw an increase in the development of infill housing over the latter half of the last decade. Greenfield development still dominates, however.
Tempe Better for Bikes Than Portland?
This week, the website Walk Score announced the results of its expanded Bike Score evaluation. With more than double the amount of cities than initially ranked, the usual favorites (Minneapolis, Portland), were joined by some surprises.
Marking an 'Exciting Day' for Detroit's Development
This week Michigan Gov. Rick Snyder signed a series of bills passed during the State Legislature's recent lame-duck session that will have long-term impacts on the revival of Detroit and its suburbs, reports Kathleen Gray.
New Data Brings Holiday Cheer for Architects
In the past four years, the real estate and housing downturn has drastically cut billings at architecture firms. However, the Architecture Billings Index shows improvement for a fourth consecutive month and the highest reading since November 2007.
The Twin Cities's Worst Planning Mistakes
Tired of all those year end "Best of" lists? This should cleanse your palate. Marlys Harris has gathered a list of the nine worst decisions made by planners in the history of the Twin Cities.
Smith Gee Studio
City of Charlotte
City of Camden Redevelopment Agency
City of Astoria
Transportation Research & Education Center (TREC) at Portland State University
City of Camden Redevelopment Agency
Municipality of Princeton (NJ)
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.
