The Daily Source of Urban Planning News
Los Angeles Searches for Improvements to the Much-Maligned Pershing Square
A series of public outreach events are being held in Pershing Square to determine how to make the park more engaging. Live music and fewer physical barriers to entry are among the ideas suggested.
California Transportation Spending Gets Boost from Budget Revision
A short term increase in spending hides California's annual structural deficit of almost $6 billion—money needed to maintain the state's roads and bridges.
A New Approach to Flood Control Makes 'Room for the River'
A radical approach to flood control in the Netherlands will expand the flood plain of the River Waal while also creating new neighborhoods where people can live and work.
Will Young Families Stay in Cities?
With their reputation for decent schools, lower crime, and affordable housing, suburbs can be an attractive prospect for young families. Can cities retain that demographic? Should they?
Demolitions Increased After Vancouver's 'Heritage Action Plan' Took Effect
Vancouver, British Columbia's Heritage Action Plan went into effect in January of this year. According to an article in the Vancouver Courier, the policy has failed to achieve its intended goals.
How 3D Laser Scanning Helped Save Earthquake Damaged Buildings in Napa
The 3D scan provided a safe and quick solution for potential restoration, rehabilitation, and preservation by capturing thousands of points a second and creates a virtual photograph of the object that it scans.
Adding the Environment to the 'Progressive Agenda'
The 13-point 'Progressive Agenda' announced by high profile liberal political leadership earlier this week neglected environmental policies. Can progressives get two birds with one stone?
How D.C.'s Department of Housing and Community Development Will Tackle Housing Challenges
Aaron Wiener interviews Polly Donaldson—the recently hired head the Department of Housing and Community Development (DHCD) in Washington, D.C.—about her strategies for improving housing in the Nation's Capital.
Positive Early Returns for Solar Bike Path
The performance of the world's first solar bike path in the Netherlands have so far exceeded expectations in its first six months of operation. Now the question becomes: What next?
Open Space Preservation Creates Rift Between Local, County Officials
Local officials in Lake County, located north of Chicago, are concerned about the revenue implications of a decision to preserve a parcel of land they view as a potential commercial development.
How Regulatory Changes Facilitate Transit Oriented Development
Darnell Grisby makes the case for focusing on ridership and boardings (rather than travel time) and clarifying joint development rules to better facilitate transit oriented development and transit oriented communities.
City Parks: The New Playgrounds of the Rich?
Wealthy private donors take the lead in developing New York City projects, such as parks, writes Carol Berens, an architect, author, and real estate agent.
Malcolm Gladwell on Transportation Safety
Looking at the history of car recalls, Gladwell recognizes a tension between the way engineers see malfunctions and how the public sees them. It's easy to blame the machine, but that doesn't always solve the problem.
Boston Launching First Comprehensive Plan Since 1965
Better architecture has been a consistent theme of the tenure of Boston Mayor Marty Walsh. The city's first comprehensive plan since 1965 could be the key tool in producing the desired results.
Walkability 'Growing Pains' in Los Angeles
By many estimates, a city known for its pedestrian unfriendliness is developing pockets of local walkability. Minor disputes over pedestrian rights may add up to something bigger.
House Republicans Slash Amtrak's Budget Hours After Seven Die in Derailment
The timeliness of the debate on Amtrak's budget could not have been worse for House Republicans who appeared insensitive at best in approving almost a 20 percent cut in funding after the fatal Philadelphia derailment that sent 200 to hospitals.
Friday Eye Candy: Maps as Pop Art
A creative cartographer has created a series maps in the cartoon style of pop art.
Friday Funny: City Wants to Skip the Hard Parts of Revitalization
The Onion provides a fake dispatch from a city that wants lobster roll stands and high-end noodle bars on every corner, like now.
Seattle Lowers Transit Fares for Low-Income Residents
Joining Chicago, Cincinnati, Denver, and Kansas City, Seattle now offers reduced bus fares to low-income residents. Some worry the program entrenches class differences and doesn't truly aid social mobility.
Eminent Domain Debated in Denver Suburb
A fight over eminent domain has erupted in the Denver suburb of Glendale. At stake are long-time local businesses and a potential $175 million redevelopment project along the Cherry Creek.
Tyler Technologies
New York City School Construction Authority
Village of Glen Ellyn
Chaddick Institute at DePaul University
Institute for Housing and Urban Development Studies (IHS)
City of Grandview
Regional Transportation Commission of Southern Nevada
Toledo-Lucas County Plan Commissions
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.
