The Daily Source of Urban Planning News

It could be a win-win: Reducing the deficit, stimulating job creation, and avoiding the dreaded 'fiscal cliff'. Those pushing for a gas tax increase have joined other industries in using the need to raise and/or cut $500 billion to avoid recession.

November 26 - The Wall Street Journal

Charles Marohn turns a critical eye toward the inertia of federal transportation policy and the shortsightedness of its most treasured investment. Since America seems to be stuck with a federal transportation bill, he suggests ways to make it work.

November 25 - Better! Cities & Towns

Clare Foran unravels the relationship between misguided '70s-era planning efforts and ongoing racial tension in France.

November 25 - The Atlantic Cities

The New York City Housing Authority is facing scrutiny after residents went almost a month without power, Nicole Anderson reports.

November 25 - The Architect's Newspaper

Alex Ulam discusses the challenges of redesigning mid-century urban landscapes to accommodate contemporary tastes and social activities, drawing on examples like Dan Kiley's North Court at Lincoln Center and Boston City Hall Plaza.

November 25 - The Architects Newspaper

Hurricane Sandy caused power outages that also prevented the use of hundreds of solar panels in the greater New York area. Solar companies are now working on decentralizing the system to make solar energy a backup source, reports Diane Cardwell.

November 25 - The New York Times

Philip Bump contemplates a future in which Arctic Ocean trade routes give rise to thriving port cities dotting the northern coasts of North America and Eurasia alike.

November 24 - Grist

“Despite long ago having fallen from favour among North American city planners and traffic engineers, the multi-lane, multi-use, tree-lined avenue will soon return to our fair burg,” writes Christopher Hume.

November 24 - The Star

New research in child development is giving rise to playgrounds designed to build children's confidence in facing challenges and evaluating risk, Sumathi Reddy reports.

November 24 - The Wall Street Journal

Martha Bridegam investigates the aftermath of a forced eviction at a homeless encampment in San Francisco. Do the homeless deserve to be criminalized?

November 24 - The Global Urbanist

The public is increasingly showing support for hydraulic fracturing of oil and gas - and it's reflected at the ballot box as many pro-drilling candidates were elected. In fact, the debate has shifted from banning to what to do with new tax revenue.

November 24 - USA Today

In China, the concerns of the few are unlikely to stand in the way of progress for the many. This has been made abundantly clear in Zhejiang province where a new motorway has been built around the home of a couple that has refused to move.

November 23 - The Independent

Michael Kimmelman takes a hard look at the political and bureaucratic obstacles that stand in the way of a forward-thinking approach to rebuilding in the wake of Hurricane Sandy.

November 23 - The New York Times

In the three steps of placemaking, crafting a meaningful vision is the first and most straightforward, yet it's the most under-leveraged. Continuing his series on "Municipal Placemaking Mistakes," Nathan Norris describes how to get it right.

November 23 - PlaceShakers

Looking at public commentary following a spate of recent bicyclist accidents and incidents, Annie Siebert considers some of issues that Pittsburghers face as drivers, cyclists and pedestrians sharing the road.

November 23 - The Pittsburgh Post Gazette

Bob Bengford, AICP, MAKERS, takes a look at how planned unit development (PUD) ordinances are working in several Northwest communities, the major issues and challenges, and whether PUD ordinances are even necessary.

November 23 - MRSC Planning Advisor

Completed in 1791, the Mission Dolores is the oldest building in San Francisco. It has survived major earthquakes in the past, writes Alexis Coe, but preservationists are worried about its fate and have begun digitally preserving the landmark.

November 22 - The Atlantic Cities

Despite all odds, “Miami’s roller coaster real estate market is booming again” reports Nadja Brandt. Is "the hottest [residential] real estate market in the U.S." primed to boil over?

November 22 - Business Week

Hurricane Sandy exposed the need for New York City to be able to house large numbers of residents following natural disasters. Matt Chaban examines the Bloomberg administration's "secret" plan to build modular apartments out of shipping containers.

November 22 - The New York Observer

Kaid Benfield takes a moment to reflect on the changing nature of the American household and how it will shape our cities in the coming years.

November 22 - Switchboard