The Daily Source of Urban Planning News

The Future of the NYC Taxicab

Futuristic suggestions to improve New York City's taxi fleet.

November 17 - The New York Times

Profiling Eco-Terrorists... Incorrectly

Electric-car driver was not an eco-terrorist, FBI admits, and settles for $100,000.

November 17 - Newsweek

McMansion Wars: Thoughts From The Front Line

Homeowner associations provide controls for which buyers are willing to pay more and relinquish freedoms.

November 17 - Rutland Herald

Linking Sprawl And Water Quality

A new study finds links between suburban sprawl and storm water runoff.

November 17 - The Macomb Daily

BLOG POST

$100 laptops open the door for highly interactive public meetings

What will be the next public participation technology? Here's one possibility… wireless laptops with electronic ink capability (and built in hand generators to boot!). All packaged to cost less than today's keypad polling devices. Way cool! <br /> <br /> 1. <a href="http://laptop.media.mit.edu/">http://laptop.media.mit.edu/</a><br /> 2. <a href="http://news.com.com/2300-1044_3-5884639-3.html">http://news.com.com/2300-1044_3-5884639-3.html</a><br /> <br /> Too bad they're not for sale, but I'm sure others will follow.

November 17 - Ken Snyder


Alleged Eco-Terrorist Compensated By FBI

Environmental activist and former San Gabriel Valley resident is paid $100,000 by the FBI after being mistakenly jailed in connection with the vandalizing and setting ablaze of SUVs in 2003.

November 16 - The Los Angeles Times

Who Lives Downtown?

During the 1990s, downtown population grew by 10 percent, a marked resurgence following 20 years of overall decline, according to a new study, "Who Lives Downtown?".

November 16 - The Brookings Institution


BLOG POST

Wi-Fi Markets

Just to keep everyone updated on the continuing development of Wi-Fi, Muni-wireless released a new <a href="http://muniwireless.com/municipal/reports/841">report </a>on the state of the Wi-Fi market. The long and short of it is the market is expanding rapidly with just about every city looking to get in on the action. <br /> <br /> On the flip side, the Philadelphia Inquirer last weekend ran a <a href="http://www.philly.com/mld/inquirer/13151838.htm">story</a> about the uncertain future of wireless as a city-led initiative.

November 16 - Scott Page

FEMA to Evict Katrina Refugees from Hotels

Their homes destroyed and the available housing stock almost wiped out, 150,000 displaced victims of Hurricane Katrina may find themselves evicted from their government-subsidized hotel rooms in little more than two weeks, according to a new decision from

November 16 - The Washington Post

Ten Most Influential Architects Today

Forbes identifies the top ten architects who are most influencing the American landscape.

November 16 - Forbes

Buy Hybrid Car, Save $3,150 in Taxes

Attractive perks are emerging for buyers of hybrid cars.

November 16 - The Christian Science Monitor

Wendell Cox Reviews 'Sprawl Costs'

A new book, "Sprawl Costs" evaluates the costs of unchecked dvelopment. The book merely recycles the tired claims that suburbanization (pejoratively called urban sprawl) is more costly, writes Wendell Cox.

November 16 - The Public Purpose

Getting There No Longer Just About Highways and Cars

Regional economic transition invites new reckoning with transit.

November 16 - Michigan Land Use Institute

Quantifying The Cost Of Sprawl

A new book, 'Sprawl Costs', calculates the cost of sprawl. Leading the list is Las Vegas, which has the highest per-capita cost, at $72,697 per person.

November 16 - Sacramento Business Journal

Cancun Rebuilds After Wilma

Rebuilding the all-important tourist market hasn't been an easy task for Cancun residents, but Mexico's prosperity depends on it.

November 16 - The Los Angeles Times

New Urban Game: Le Parkour

A dangerous new game being played in European cities -- le parkour, or Free running -- has players making death-defying leaps across urban buildings.

November 16 - The Christian Science Monitor

What's In Your House That Pollutes As Much As Seven Diesel Buses?

As the price of natural gas and heating oil skyrockets, Americans are expected to turn to a cheaper, and often readily available alternative - wood, with severe public health consequences. Fortunately, strategies are in place to mitigate woodburning.

November 15 - USA Today

How Helpful Are New Flood Zones?

Expanding them means stricter building codes, but critics say new flood zone regions may encourage construction.

November 15 - The Christian Science Monitor

Downtown Homeownership Surges in Chicago

Chicago experiences a surge in number of residents choosing to live in the center city, near jobs and recreation.

November 15 - The Chicago Tribune

Montgomery County's Smart Growth Challenges

The Maryland-National Capital Park and Planning Commission proposes a "a new planning paradigm" to help the County plan its growth.

November 15 - The Washington Post

Post News

Top Books

An annual review of books related to planning.

Top Schools

The definitive ranking of graduate planning programs.

100 Most Influential Urbanists

The who's who of urbanism, according to Planetizen readers.

Urban Planning Creators You Should Know

A short list of voices on social, video, and podcasting platforms.

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.