The Daily Source of Urban Planning News

75 teams of surveyors will fan out across Detroit on Monday to begin cataloging the city's vacant buildings block-by-block. One of the leaders of the effort is estimating that eliminating blight could cost $1 billion.

December 14 - Detroit Free Press

FEATURE

After looking over his extensive library of books on urbanism, Brent Toderian selects the 100 best books on city-making that he's collected and read over the years.

December 13 - Brent Toderian

The Mariana Trench has beaten out Mt. Everest, the cone of Hawaii’s Mauna Loa volcano, and St. Louis to claim the title of the world's worst place to raise a child for the seventh consecutive year, reports the satirical newspaper The Onion.

December 13 - The Onion

By transforming excess street space in areas like Times Square and Herald Square into pedestrian paradises, New York City's plaza program has been a huge hit. But with maintenance costs borne by local businesses, less affluent areas have missed out.

December 13 - The Wall Street Journal

A report from Cushman & Wakefield details the 45.3 million square feet of development currently projected at four Tysons Metro stations that will open soon along Northern Virginia's new Silver Line.

December 13 - The Washington Post

In the aftermath of a derailment that killed four passengers and other recent safety lapses, the U.S. Secretary of Transportation has ordered an unprecedented in-depth review of the "operations and 'safety culture'” of Metro-North Railroad.

December 13 - The New York Times

Could Silicon Valley play a key role in alleviating San Francisco's growing affordability crisis? That's among the suggestions put forth in a new report from SPUR that outlines specific ways that San Jose could attract young professionals.

December 13 - SFGate

A government-appointed panel has recommended raising Ontario's gas tax to help pay for an ambitious 25-year transit construction plan dubbed the "Big Move". Political opponents were quick to reject the proposal.

December 13 - The Globe and Mail

BLOG POST

To realize what the act of planning is capable of, it helps to consider what is out of reach.

December 13 - Norman Wright

The World Economic Forum has reported on the state of national energy networks around the world and which countries are doing the most to embrace renewable energy technology.

December 13 - Future Cities

The American Institute of Architects (AIA) announced today that Julia Morgan, designer of some 700 buildings including Hearst Castle, will be the first female architect to receive the organization's highest honor.

December 13 - Architect

Bike share is in some ways the opposite of public transit, from a demographic perspective. While transit is often disproportionately patronized by low income riders, bike share is overwhelmingly avoided by that same group. NPR looks for the reasons.

December 13 - NPR

In a recent filing, Forest City Ratner reported that it will lose $250-$350 million of its initial investment in the Atlantic Yards project. Higher-than-expected costs to build affordable housing, among other things, are being blamed for the loss.

December 13 - Next City

Despite economic improvement across the country, a recent survey of 25 American cities finds homelessness and hunger are on the rise. With the federal government cutting resources, providing for the neediest is expected to be harder next year.

December 12 - Los Angeles Times

There's hope yet that Cincinnati's embattled streetcar project might proceed after all. Mayor John Cranley, who campaigned on canceling the project, has announced he's willing to allow the project to proceed if the private sector pays to operate it.

December 12 - Cincinnati Business Courier

BART and its unions were tantalizingly close to resolving a long labor dispute two months ago when they reached agreement on a new contract. But a provision overlooked by negotiators has scuttled the agreement and sent both back to the drawing board.

December 12 - Sf Examiner

At America's first ever "Walking Summit", physicians, planners, developers, and community activists gathered to discuss how physical activity can help heal people and communities.

December 12 - PPS Placemaking Blog

The Rose Green Cities Fund has purchased an affordable housing complex in a gentrifying area of D.C., not to capitalize on rising prices but to protect affordable ones. Unlikely, you say? The Fund's mission is to preserve affordable housing.

December 12 - The Washington Post

Jeff Bezos' proposal to deliver packages by aerial drone has the potential to upset traditional models of logistics and distribution, but it's most powerful effect may be on the urban airspace. Are blue skies ahead for Bezos' vision?

December 12 - This Big City

A judge has sided with three civic groups challenging a new community plan for Hollywood that permitted increased density around transit stations. In a tentative ruling, Judge Allan J. Goodman called the plan "fatally flawed".

December 12 - Los Angeles Times