The Daily Source of Urban Planning News

Brooklyn to Apply Lipstick to Elevated Expressway Pig

Nicole Anderson discusses plans to create a "funderpass" to "ameliorate the awkward neighborhood divisions caused by the BQE." Are a catchy name and new amenities enough to mend the tear in the city fabric caused by the elevated expressway?

December 16 - The Architect's Newspaper

Wilmington NC Lives Outdoors

When a city's tightly-gridded, walkable streets are developed with connected, convivial, complete neighborhoods, the temptation to walk, bike, and run overcome the lethargy of our modern lifestyle. See an inspiring photo essay from Wilmington, NC.

December 16 - PlaceShakers

Under Construction Forever (UCF Arena & Knights Plaza)

The Costs of the Higher Education Building Binge

After a decade-long construction arms race at the nation's institutions of higher education, The New York Times looks at what happens when the creditors come calling.

December 15 - The New York Times

Apps for Hailing Cabs Cause Controversy in NYC

NYC's Taxi and Limousine Commission approved a pilot program for apps that will allow users to request a yellow taxi ride on their smartphones rather than having to “raise [their] arms toward oncoming traffic” the old-fashioned way.

December 15 - The Wall Street Journal

Municipal Services on the Menu at Boston's Newest Food Truck

Boston City Hall is taking its show on the road. Its new food-truck-inspired 'City Hall To Go' is bringing government to the people.

December 15 - The Architect's Newspaper Blog


Next Stop for Kansas City Streetcar: Construction

Funding for a $100 million two-mile downtown streetcar system has been approved by voters in Kansas City, according to results announced this week.

December 15 - Kansas City Star

Even 'Starchitects' Need a Good Pitch to Win

'Starchitects' compete for prime real estate in New York City, and selling their stuff isn’t as easy as one might think. See four famous architects in action as they pitch designs for a new office tower on Park Avenue.

December 15 - The Guardian U.K.


Friday Fright: Driving in Russia

You know what they say about not being able to turn away from an accident? Well what about 13 minutes of accidents? We can't help but laugh at some of the insane (and frightening) driving on display in this compilation of Russian accident videos.

December 14 - NPR

Los Angeles Skyline

With Innovative Plan, L.A. Says Adios to Parking Requirements

Yesterday, the Los Angeles City Planning Commission approved a landmark specific plan that is notable as much for what it doesn't include as what it does.

December 14 - Curbed LA

Effort to Improve Bike/Ped Counts Gets Boost

Want to know how many people drive in your city? The answers are easy to find. But for anyone trying to find out how many people bike and walk, it's not so easy. The result is problematic for safety and spending advocates alike. This may soon change.

December 14 - DC.Streetsblog

2012's Top Emblems of Chinese Overbuilding

To keep its slowing economy humming, China continues to pump colossal funds into infrastructure projects. With massive stimulus spending comes massive inefficiencies. Naomi Rovnick selects China's most wasteful infrastructure projects of 2012.

December 14 - The Atlantic Cities

Amtrak Acela

Amtrak to Replace All Acela Trains

By announcing this week that it will scrap plans to upgrade Acela trains incrementally, and instead replace them all with new equipment, the passenger rail carrier is signaling that it is speeding up the timeline for higher-speed rail service.

December 14 - Bloomberg BusinessWeek

Detroit Struggles to Slake Thirst for Urban Living

In Detroit's downtown and midtown neighborhoods, 96 percent of rental apartments are occupied by young professionals, students and empty nesters. The city now faces the problem of meeting the high demand for urban living, reports Susan Stellin.

December 14 - The New York Times

Big Names to Remake Sydney's Darling Harbour

OMA and Populous are among the members of an international team of architects working for developers Lend Lease on a 2.15 million-square-foot revamp of Sydney's Darling Harbour as a convention, exhibition, and entertainment district.

December 14 - The Architect's Newspaper Blog

America's Top Transportation Follies and Triumphs

Based on five criteria, the Sierra Club has evaluated “the 50 best and worst transportation projects” in the nation, shining light on apparent fiascoes in the making, as well as progressive achievements.

December 14 - D.C. Streesblog

Ohio Makes it Easier to Fight Blight

Ohio has been one of the hardest hit states by the recent wave of foreclosures, with filings continuing to rise. Susie Cagle looks at the variety of state and local policies and programs arming communities with new tools to fight blight.

December 14 - Grist

History of Urban Activism Told in New York's East Village

The Museum of Reclaimed Urban Space opened Saturday on Avenue C near 10th Street. It's a tribute to the East Village's history of activism from the 1988 Tompkins Square Park riots to recent conflicts over community gardens, squats, and bicycle use.

December 14 - The New York Times

NYC Rezoning Threatens Historic Buildings

New York's Municipal Arts Society has released a list of 17 historic buildings it believes are threatened by the Bloomberg administration's plans to re-zone a significant portion of the area surrounding Grand Central Terminal.

December 13 - The New York Observer

How Does the Health of Your State Rank?

Modern medicine is prolonging our lives while our lifestyles are shortening it - that paradox is the main finding of the 2012 America's Health Rankings that ranked Vermont as the nation's healthiest state with Louisiana and Mississippi tied for last.

December 13 - USA Today

A Plural America Within Sight

Within three decades, there will no longer be a majority racial or ethnic group in the Unites States according to new Census Bureau projections released this week. Among the other findings: the country is growing slower than expected.

December 13 - The New York Times

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