The Daily Source of Urban Planning News

Penn IUR Co-Directors Genie Birch and Susan Wachter write about the promise of geospatial technologies in promoting sustainable urbanization.

June 1 - Penn Institute for Urban Research

One World Trade Center's long-awaited observatory opened May 29. Located on floors 100, 101 and 102 of the tower, the 47-second elevator trip is as remarkable as the sites from the 1,250 foot high observatory.

June 1 - The Telegraph U.K.

A new medical marijuana industry has been on hold in Florida, but permit processing can now begin following a court decision this week that upheld newly-developed regulations.

June 1 - Orlando Sentinel

Bridges are failing in the Garden State for lack of funds to repair them, No, they are not collapsing, but they are shutting down. Many, including the business community, blame the governor for failing to act.

June 1 - The New York Times - N.Y. / Region

Although large investors made only 4.3 percent of single-family home purchases in 2014, they may be reducing the competitiveness of traditional buyers. With ready cash and sophisticated algorithms, investors get there first and make better bids.

May 31 - CityLab

Rates of growth in America's largest cities increased dramatically in 2010 but have leveled off. Suburbs are growing at nearly identical rates to center cities.

May 31 - Brookings: The Avenue

The most dangerous air pollution is not smog and is barely known by the public, writes Bill Adams, editor of UrbDeZine. Line-source particulate matter air pollution could change the way the public thinks about road projects and gas powered cars.

May 31 - UrbDeZine.com

A master-planned community proposed for land owned by the British bank Barclay's on the outskirts of Albuquerque would be New Mexico's second-largest city on full build-out. Opponents say it would also be a major water hog in a painfully arid state.

May 31 - The Guardian

With its eclectic music scene, Asheville, North Carolina is a popular spot for street musicians. They can bring a vibrancy the town might suffer without. But some residents fear a rise in panhandling and homelessness.

May 31 - The New York Times

Bay Area Bike Share will grow from 700 to 7,000 bikes by 2017 after the expansion proposal was approved by a unanimous vote of the Metropolitan Transportation Commission. It is a regional, not a city program, though most usage is in San Francisco.

May 30 - Metropolitan Transportation Commission

Mayor Ed Lee has announced plans to devote $28.9 million to housing, medical aid, and counseling programs. Nonprofits will partner with the city in an effort to put rising municipal revenue to good use.

May 30 - SFGate

A "water atlas" compiled by UCLA's Luskin Center for Innovation reveals the patchwork that is Los Angeles' water supply system. Neighborhoods reliant on small providers and groundwater sources may be vulnerable.

May 30 - CityLab

According to a Deloitte report, St. Louis commuters could save upwards of $220 million a year, with an additional $493 million in regional road construction savings. All the city needs to do is lift restrictions on rideshare.

May 30 - St. Louis Business Journal

Cartographer Jeffrey Linn has compiled maps of how coastal China would look under risen seas. Over 40 percent of the country's population lives in potentially affected regions.

May 30 - China File

Although unemployment has declined, according to this report commutes are getting longer. "Job sprawl" often plagues minority and poor areas where housing is more affordable.

May 29 - Al Jazeera America

The proposed Boulder Food Park repurposes a decrepit site into usable space for food truck patrons. Since the site is adjacent to a brick-and-mortar restaurant, a zoning exemption may be required.

May 29 - The Denver Post

Would you like a cerveza with that? A hip neighborhood in Chicago will play host to the first alcohol-serving Taco Bell. Isolated incident, or the future of fast food?

May 29 - Chicago Tribune

Eager for downtown development, Kansas City signed a deal subsidizing Cordish Companies to the tune of $295 million. The rejuvenated district should be self-sustaining. So why is the city still funding Cordish?

May 29 - Next City

Houston headlined the news of flooding this week, but swollen rivers rushed over their banks and onto roads and into homes all over the state of Texas this week. Is the state's infrastructure resilient enough for the effects of a changing climate?

May 29 - NRDC Switchboard

Active Transportation Alliance, a Chicago pedestrian advocacy group, urges Mayor Rahm Emanuel to improve red light cameras rather than remove them. Despite complaints from drivers, well-advertised cameras can reduce pedestrian fatalities.

May 29 - Chi.Streetsblog