The Daily Source of Urban Planning News

Ambitious Plans Unlikely, But Noble

<p>This editorial argues that Kansas City Mayor Mark Funkhouser's plans for a regional light rail system are ambitious and not likely to succeed, but they are a powerful example of the froward-thinking mindset more cities need.</p>

February 17 - The Kansas City Star

Growth Boundary Not Needed

<p>This editorial argues that a growth boundary is not the right way to control suburban growth in Salem, Oregon.</p>

February 17 - Statesman Journal

Resort Towns Rethink Housing Subsidies

<p>Resort towns in Wyoming are trying to preserve middle class populations and public servants by offering housing subsidies to relatively well-off families.</p>

February 16 - The Boston Globe

Attack of the Public Art 'Monsters'

<p>Prominent museum heads in the United Kingdom are calling for greater discretion in the commissioning of public art pieces. They say the latest batch of sculptures are "monsters".</p>

February 16 - The Times (London)

L.A. Light Rail Changes Sought Due to Safety Concerns

<p>Citing safety concerns, a grassroots organizer in Los Angeles is lobbying the city to rethink plans for a light rail line that passes by a school. He says the entire line should be built underground.</p>

February 16 - Los Angeles City Beat


Indiana Approves Movie Incentive Plan

<p>Lawmakers in Indiana have approved an incentive program that seeks to attract filmmakers to the state, a move that overrides a veto by Governor Mitch Daniels.</p>

February 16 - The Indianapolis Star

Innovations in the Green City Movement

<p>This slideshow from <em>Popular Science</em> shows case studies of some of the country's greenest cities and how they are achieving environmental sustainability.</p>

February 16 - Popular Science


Friday Funny: Tiny Green Space Revitalizes Detroit Neighborhood

<p>The Onion reports on the miraculous transformation of a run-down neighborhood in Detroit, thanks to the installation of a towel-sized, $150.00 plot of grass.</p>

February 15 - The Onion

Chicago Mayor Demands Better Transit

<p>Chicago Mayor Richard Daley has posed a challenge to the city's transit agency to revamp its system to be cleaner and faster, and also to emphasize the creation of retail shops in train stations.</p>

February 15 - The Chicago Tribune

One-Way Plans Move Forward in L.A.

<p>Plans are inching forward to convert two of L.A.'s most-used cross-town corridors into mostly one way streets.</p>

February 15 - The Los Angeles Times

Exploring the Implications of 'Mode-Neutral' Transportation Funding

<p>Streetsblog parses the jargon and gives the history behind a recent addition to the transportation lexicon.</p>

February 15 - Streetsblog

New Mexico Critics Say Transportation Projects Suffer as Rail Runs

<p>Criticism of New Mexico's commuter rail system heats up as officials claim Rail Runner starves other transportation projects of funding.</p>

February 15 - Associated Press

Largest Marine Reserve Established

<p>The world's largest marine protected area has just been established around the tiny Pacific island of Kiribati.</p>

February 15 - Reuters

The Greeenest Cities in America

<p><em>Popular Science</em> has released a list of the 50 greenest cities in America.</p>

February 15 - Popular Science

From 'Lifeline' to Stabilization

<p>Critics have been swift to point out that the federal government's proposed (and voluntary) "Project Lifeline" does little more than set a "pause button" on at-risk mortgages. What's needed are "Neighborhood Stabilization" plans.</p>

February 15 - Center for American Progress

Breaking the 'Blue Covenant'

<p>In this interview about her new book, "Blue Covenant," Maude Barlow argues that current and future shortages of fresh water aren't the result of drought, but rather the massive overuse, abuse and mismanagement of water sources.</p>

February 15 - AlterNet

Environmental Concerns Threaten River Access Plan

<p>Concerns over environmental abuse may block a river access plan in south central Kansas.</p>

February 15 - Wichita Eagle

Infrastructure on the Rise in China

<p>China kicks infrastructure development into high gear.</p>

February 14 - The Economist

The Quest for Non-Highway Transit Projects

<p>This op-ed, transportation expert and Brookings Institution researcher Rob Puentes discusses the need for the Dulles Metro-rail project and how it has become a pawn in a bureaucratic chess match.</p>

February 14 - Politico

Opposition Builds Against Nation's Largest Toll Road

<p>The TTC, or Trans-Texas Corridor, is far more than just a 4,000-mile toll road, but an all-encompassing, multi-modal infrastructure network that is desperately needed, according to Texas planners. But citizens are wary and opposition is growing.</p>

February 14 - The New York Times

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