The Daily Source of Urban Planning News

Harbin Chemical Spill: One More Cost of Low Prices

Joshua Muldavin writes that the massive chemical contamination of China's Songhua River is but a symptom of an unsustainable global economy in which rural areas bear the environmental costs of global industrialization and consumption.

December 1 - Michael Dudley

The Secret International Voluntary Sustainable Principles

In what may prove to be a fundamental shift in sustainable resources, a new international coalition is poised to direct trillions of dollars into markets linked to climate change, clean technology and sustainable use of natural resources.

December 1 - Environmental News Service

City Holds Walgreens to Design Standards

A proposed Walgreens Drugstore is the latest in a series of challenges to Syracuse's Eastwood Overlay District Guidelines.

December 1 - Syracuse Post Standard

Is Wal-Mart Really Going Green?

The mega-retailer has announced a slew of environmentally friendly policies. Is this an honest attempt at change or greenwashing?

December 1 - Grist Magazine / AlterNet

Detroit Developers Hope To Capitalize On Superbowl Buzz

With over $300 million of expected economic activity, Detroit metro real estate companies view the superbowl as a tremendous opportunity to boost sagging sales.

December 1 - The Detroit News


Planning Community-Based Schools

Marty Blank of the Coalition for Community Schools helps neighborhoods across the country realize the dream of smaller, better, community-focused schools.

December 1 - The Planning Report

Future Of Rebuilding Gulf Coast May Include Wal-Mart

Once the enemy of urban planners for small towns, Wal-Mart has turned into a formidable presence for the rebuilding efforts along the Gulf Coast.

December 1 - Mid-South News


As Traffic Grows, LA's Resistance To Subways Melts

For years, California Rep. Henry Waxman has been an "immovable barrier" to plans to build a subway from downtown LA to the westside. Now that traffic is nearly unbearable, he's reconsidering his position.

December 1 - The Los Angeles Times

Creating Community Realty

In upstate New York, housing groups started a brokerage for low-income residents and neighborhoods poorly served by for-profit real estate agents. While it is a nonprofit, the brokerage is still expected to pay for itself.

December 1 - Shelterforce Magazine

Series Examines Forest City Enterprises

The Cleveland Plain Dealer profiles hometown company Forest City Enterprises, highlighting its emergence as a big-name player in real estate development nationwide.

December 1 - The Cleveland Plain Dealer

Stores Experiment With 'Teenage-repellents'

Businesses install devices such as the "Mosquito" and the "Zit Lamp" to discourage teenagers from loitering in front of stores.

November 30 - News.com

Saving Our Nation's Streams

Streams are the backbone of all drinking water, so why has so little attention been paid to their disappearance?

November 30 - The Washington Post

Young Entrepreneurs Give A+ To College Towns

Start-Ups By recent college graduates find what they need in university cities.

November 30 - Centre Daily Times

'The World' Comes To Dubai

Dubai's most ambitious architectural project since 'The Palm' is garnering worldwide attention, much to the delight of city officials.

November 30 - The Guardian

The Trouble With Virginia's Growth Legislation

Leonard Gilroy sees two problems with Virginia's proposed growth legislation and explains why he thinks it would steer the state in the wrong direction.

November 30 - Reason.org

The Border Boomtown Trend

Increased vigilance forces migrants to cross to US from remote areas, creating new boomtowns.

November 30 - The Christian Science Monitor

Inner Cities Losing Jobs

Despite a variety of federal and state programs, most inner cities lost jobs at an alarming rate.

November 30 - Yahoo! News

Austin's New City Plan

Austin's new citywide plan is complete and could be adopted in 2006.

November 30 - American-Statesman

Kid-friendly Granny Flats in NYC

Grandparents and grandchildren live in Bronx housing built especially for them.

November 30 - The Washington Post

Urban Glass House: Half Full?

A trendy Manhattan neighborhood rejected a groundbreaking design and gets the leftovers instead.

November 30 - The Slatin Report

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Top Books

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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.