The Daily Source of Urban Planning News

The Christian Science Monitor editorializes in support of the VMT fee replacing the gas tax just as the latest federal transportation financing commission report recommends, as Oregon Governor Kulongoski hopes to do, and as some will do in Europe.

March 4 - The Christian Science Monitor

A new study shows that green buildings are far more expensive than they are made out to be, and that it may take longer than advertised for energy savings to cancel out costs.

March 4 - The New York Times

The author of this article expresses their concern for a potential Daniel Burnham memorial that does little to represent his ideas--or good planning.

March 4 - Chicago Tribune

Treehugger interviews urban designer, New Urbanist, and rail advocate Andy Kunz about the stimulus package and how it will benefit high speed rail in America.

March 4 - Treehugger

Bill Rees, creator of the ecological footprint concept, warns that economic growth needs to slow down greatly if we want to maintain a civilized life on Earth.

March 4 - Vancouver Magazine

Legislation written by State Senator Alan Lowenthal (D-Long Beach) would require parking reform in the "Donald Shoup" mold in almost every city in California.

March 4 - Los Angeles Streetsblog

BLOG POST

<p style="margin: 5pt 0in" class="MsoNormal"> <span style="font-size: small"><span style="font-family: Times New Roman">A new design competition thinks it can.</span></span> </p> <p style="margin: 5pt 0in" class="MsoNormal"> <span style="font-size: small"><span style="font-family: Times New Roman">In a recent post, I discussed the value of open design competitions in strengthening a city&#39;s &quot;culture of design&quot;. I explained how Vancouver, often described as a <em>city by design</em> but in past years perhaps lacking a competition skill-set, is seeking to strengthen that culture, albeit by small steps and grass-roots efforts thus far. Here&#39;s the link - you might want to <a href="/node/37189" target="_blank">read that post first</a>. </span></span> </p>

March 3 - Brent Toderian

The President and V.P. addressed the Department of Transportation today, stating that the new investment in infrastructure "will create or save 150,000 jobs by the end of next year, most of them in the private sector."

March 3 - WhiteHouse.gov

New projects in North Carolina and Ontario take an old idea of district heating to new levels using solar.

March 3 - The Wall St. Journal

Ninevah, one of the world's most endangered heritage sites, is deteriorating due to recent development and urban sprawl, say officials.

March 3 - The Christian Science Monitor

Urban designer Susan Braun points the finger at pharmacies and other suburban retailers who intentionally break the connection with the street by blocking up their windows.

March 3 - MPP Downtown Journal

This article looks at what the end of sprawl will mean for Las Vegas.

March 3 - Las Vegas Sun

This piece from <em>The New York Times</em> looks at the career and experience of Adolfo Carrion, the new director of the White House Office of Urban Affairs.

March 3 - The New York Times

The Economist wonders if Santa Barbara's relative financial health is owed to its aging population and resistance to development.

March 3 - Economist

Last year, plans for a new museum in San Francisco's Presidio were criticized for being harsh and not in keeping with the feel of the park. Back from the drawing board, John King says the new plans are much more in character and less iconic.

March 3 - San Francisco Chronicle

<em>Forbes</em> has released its list of the most congested cities in America. Los Angeles, New York, Chicago, Dallas and Washington D.C. top the list.

March 3 - Forbes

Philadelphia's Dilworth Plaza is another modernist civic construction that didn't live up to the architect's utopian ideals. A new design aims to create a more park-like atmosphere and improve transit access.

March 3 - The Philadelphia Inquirer

Six architects, planners, public intellectuals and authors give their differing opinions on Bloomberg's plan to turn Broadway into a pedestrian-only space.

March 2 - Freakonomics - NY Times Blog

The Buckminster Fuller Institute has announced the 33 finalists in its Buckminster Fuller Challenge. All contest entries are featured on their website, ranging from an 'Urban Space Station' to an idea for 'making energy from dirt'.

March 2 - The Buckminster Fuller Institute

The National Surface Transportation Infrastructure Financing Commission advises Congress that the U.S. is in an infrastructure crisis, and that they must raise the gas excise tax by ten cents now and begin the switch to a VMT fee.

March 2 - The New York Times: Energy & Environment