The Daily Source of Urban Planning News
Looking for Someone to Blame for Bad Architecture? Look in the Mirror, Says Op-Ed
Architecture Critic Mark Lamster attended the recent Congress for The New Urbanism annual conference, this year held in Dallas. One panel in particular, "How to Rebuild Architecture," proved informative.
A Call for Mayor de Blasio to Fund New York's Public Libraries
The New York Times editorial board questions the priorities of a city that can support sports facilities with hundreds of millions of dollars in taxpayer funds but neglects its libraries.
Cities Chase Elusive 'Innovation Economy'
In many places, anchor institutions and local industries are old news. New companies, new ideas, and brand-new industries are creating wealth and vibrancy. Professor Enrico Moretti explains how cities can get in on the 'innovation economy.'
The Lake Mead Water Crisis Explained
The water level in Lake Mead dropped to an all-time low at the end of April, falling below 1080 feet above sea level for the first time in 78 years.
Affordable Housing Strikes Back
Has George Lucas discovered the ultimate anti-NIMBY weapon? Hint: It's not a lightsaber
Housing Market Finally Improves for Country's Poorest Renters
New data from the U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development shows that the rental market is improving for the most at-risk populations in the country.
Michigan's Sweeping Road Funding Amendment Loses in a Landslide
Proposition 1 would have enacted broad reforms in road funding policies and programs in Michigan. Despite Governor Rick Snyder and the State Legislature's efforts, however, voters soundly defeated the measure in a statewide election this week.
The First Four Months of 2015 State Gas Tax Increases
Transportation for America makes it easy to keep track of the seven states that have passed legislation to raise, or stem the fall of, gas tax revenue, with an in-depth look at how the first state, Iowa, increased fuel taxes.
Welcome to the 'Age of Animals as Infrastructure'
Animals are more than just guests or co-habitants in our cities, according to an article in New Scientist—they're a critical component of the infrastructure that keeps cities running.
Mapping Chicago's 375 Tax Increment Financing Projects
A new mapping project allows new access to information about Chicago's controversial tax increment financing mechanism. Now at least the debate will include visuals.
Highlights from CNU 23 Dallas
Having just wrapped up a great CNU in Dallas, April 29 through May 2, a collection of urbanists share some of the ideas that resonated the most.
New Report Finds Drivers Pay Less Than Half the Cost of Roads
The new report, "Who Pays for Roads? How the 'Users Pays' Myth Gets in the Way of Solutions to America’s Transportation Problems" exposes the widening gap between how Americans think we pay for roadways—through user fees—and how we actually do.
FEMA to States: Want Disaster Mitigation Funds? Then Plan for Climate Change
A policy adopted earlier this year and due to go into effect next March would require states to plan for climate change before they are eligible to receive grant funding to plan for disasters.
The New L.A. Story: Waze Partners with City; Neighbors Get Upset
A partnership between Waze and the city of Los Angeles has prompted a cry of "not on the street in front of my frontyard!" from residential neighborhoods around the city.
Politicos Hope to Speed Up Central Florida's $2.3 Billion Highway Project
Inside the push to speed up the project known as I-4 Ultimate in Central Florida—the $2.3 billion would tear down and rebuild 40 miles of the interstate.
Washington, D.C.'s Downtown Playground Desert
D.C.'s fast-growing downtown neighborhoods have new restaurants, offices and apartments—but few playgrounds. With thousands of children expected to be born in the District in the next five years, where will they all play?
California Drought Watch: Residential Builders Fear Moratoriums
Home builders fear bans on connections of homes to water systems, issued from the state and cities, will increase next month when Gov. Jerry Brown's new water mandates take effect June 1.
The Sun Also Hides Behind Skyscrapers
The Washington Post details the concern over the shadows cast by skyscrapers on the city street below. The latest high-profile case study of the ability of skyscrapers to block the sun: New York's Midtown.
Atlanta's Big Mistake: Rushing Movie Studio Deal for Fort McPherson
Checking in on the status of negotiations for the redevelopment of Fort McPherson's 488 acres of rolling hills, historic buildings, and a lake, among much more, the Saporta Report argues that Atlanta has been far too accommodating.
On the Natural Urbanism of East L.A. Artists
The planning process often suffers from a lack of community engagement. According to James Rojas, planners can learn from the on-the-ground urbanism of artists in East L.A.
New York City School Construction Authority
Village of Glen Ellyn
Central Transportation Planning Staff/Boston Region MPO
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.
