The Daily Source of Urban Planning News

The Google ferry was launched Jan. 6 at the Port of San Francisco for its inaugural trip to Redwood City, where Google workers would presumably be bussed to its Mountain View HQ. No word yet whether it was greeted by protests met by its buses in S.F.

January 9 - SF Gate: The Tech Chronicles

For many years, the astounding urban migration taking place across the developing world has been a notable global trend. But India's economic slowdown may put a dent in urbanization projections as inhabitants leave cities in search of work.

January 9 - Quartz

Signaling a shift in fortunes for Detroit’s residential market, the city is seeking investors for Brush Park, a historic, but largely vacant, residential neighborhood adjacent to downtown.

January 9 - Detroit Free Press

The stay of execution that was granted to the Museum of American Folk Art after protests from architects and preservationists has been lifted. MoMA has announced plans to demolish the celebrated building to accommodate its expansions plans.

January 9 - The Wall Street Journal

Data suggesting a dramatic shift toward the urban core are accruing in the Twin Cities metropolitan area. Suburbs have responded by creating walkable downtowns, but are struggling with declining school enrollment and other consequences.

January 8 - Star Tribune

Not everyone likes the idea of slowing down, but sometimes advocacy for increased speed limits can come from surprising sources, like the editorial director of a UK journal for architects.

January 8 - The Architects' Journal

Bridge-Gate just got a lot juicier. Despite Governor Christie’s denials, recently released emails suggest that his close aides helped orchestrate the closure of lanes to the George Washington Bridge as part of a politically-motivated vendetta.

January 8 - NorthJersey.com

Opponents of a massive plan to expand New York University's footprint in Greenwich Village have succeeded in convincing a state judge that a large portion of the project should not be allowed to proceed.

January 8 - The New York Times

Faced with $95 million in necessary repairs just 32 years after its Michael Graves-designed administrative headquarters was opened, Portland officials are considering razing the nation's first major work of postmodern architecture.

January 8 - Portland Architecture

A $3-billion street repair bond measure being drafted for the November ballot reflects L.A.'s traditional preference for automobiles over other modes of transport. Pedestrian advocates are fighting to fund sidewalk repairs. Will the pols listen?

January 8 - Los Angeles Times

The infamous shuttle buses using Muni stops in San Francisco to transport workers to companies outside the city will require permits and payments under a new 18-month pilot program.

January 8 - San Francisco Chronicle

Since at least the housing crash, government programs like the mortgage interest deduction that subsidize homeowners over the millions of Americans that rent their homes have come in for criticism. A proposed New York tax might address the imbalance.

January 8 - The Atlantic Cities

Crude oil may be flammable, but until recently was not thought to be explosive. However, three recent oil train explosions all involving crude oil from the Bakken formation have prodded investigators to determine why Bakken crude is more explosive.

January 8 - The Wall Street Journal - Business

Citi Bike's recent ridership is far from its autumn peak, but record cold has not prevented thousands of riders from using New York's popular bike-share system each day this month.

January 8 - WNYC: Transportation Nation

In cities like Houston, officials are utilizing established transmission right of ways (ROWs) to provide walking and biking trails without the land acquisition challenges that typically confront urban areas looking to expand their open spaces.

January 7 - American Trails

Chinese developer Greenland Group has purchased the sites of two proposed two high-rise developments in London for £1.2 billion. This is the first acquisition in Europe by Greenland Group, which is one of the largest developers in the world.

January 7 - Building.Co.Uk

With little outside oversight, Boston's powerful yet secretive Redevelopment Agency has squandered millions of dollars that were supposed to help build affordable housing by cutting deals with developers and allocating funds to other uses.

January 7 - The Boston Globe

New Haven has unveiled a first-of-its-kind card that's a combination gift certificate and prepaid credit card. By allowing users to shop, dine, and park throughout the city, officials see the card as a way to attract tourists and boost the economy.

January 7 - New Haven Independent

Despite steady increases in ridership since opening in 2007, a proposed expansion of the Lane Transit District’s EmX bus rapid transit system between Eugene and Springfield is meeting local resistance.

January 7 - The Register Guard

California's embattled high speed rail, which appears to be on life support following a Nov. court ruling, will receive funds from the state's carbon cap & trade program in Gov. Brown's budget to be released Friday. But will it make a difference?

January 7 - The Sacramento Bee - Capitol Alert