The Daily Source of Urban Planning News
Poor Design Threatens L.A.'s Quixotic Grand Avenue Quest
With a key deadline looming today for downtown L.A.'s Grand Avenue project, a "little-noticed" decision last week by a public agency to reject the developer's most recent design has thrown the future of the elusive effort in doubt.
How Many Charity Races Is Too Many?
Every weekend, Chicago area public spaces are overrun with charity races, walks, and bike rides. For the charities, and city coffers, the events are largely a boon. But with such events increasing nationwide, is there a risk of 5K overload?
Science Takes a Back Seat to Canada's "Resource Rush"
In an editorial for The New York Times, Verlyn Klinkenborg bemoans the Harper administration's silencing of scientists in favor of political ideology, resource extraction, and public ignorance.
Top 10 Civic-Minded Companies
A ranking of the 10 most civic-minded companies holds some surprises -- mainly that the list is dominated by financial services firms.
Sustainability Initiatives Pay Green Dividends for S.F. Schools
Five years after San Francisco hired its first sustainability director for the city's school system, the controversial decision is paying off in environmental benefits and substantial energy savings.
As Economic Recovery Falters, More Americans Stay Put
According to Jed Kolko, Trulia’s Chief Economist, recent census mobility figures reveal the mixed nature of America’s economic recovery.
Developing a Block-by-Block Understanding of the Impacts of Climate Change
The best models of the impacts of climate change have been devoted to understanding global, or even national, changes. But NASA has devoted significant computational resources to projecting future climate conditions at the neighborhood level.
Rebuilding of Roads and Bridges are Key to Colorado Flood Recovery
This month's deluge resulted in damage or total destruction of "an estimated 200 miles of state highways and 50 bridges" in over 12 counties, estimated to cost $475 million. Contracts have been awarded for "initial work to be completed by Dec. 1".
D.C.'s Neighborhood Committees Exert a "Great Weight" on Development: For Better or Worse?
Although they're not decision-making bodies, D.C.'s Advisory Neighborhood Committees (ANC’s) exert a powerful influence on the city's development process. David M. Schwarz Architects examine whether that's for better or for worse.
New Book Delivers Lessons for Utilizing New Media
Are your marketing strategies in need of a "New Media" refresh? Steve Mouzon's new e-book, New Media for Designers + Builders gets two thumbs up from Susan Henderson and Hazel Borys.
Updates Seek to Strengthen California's Water Plan and Build Consensus
Jeff Kightlinger, General Manager of the Metropolitan Water District of Southern California, discusses Governor Brown's Bay Delta Conservation Plan and the risks natural disasters and climate change pose to California's water infrastructure.
New York Rebrands Rest Stops as “Texting Zones”
New highway signs urge drivers to wait until the next rest stop before answering that text or email message. A recent study presents two more reasons why motorists who text are a major danger.
7 Promising Visions of "The City 2.0"
A conference hosted by TED last week in New York continued the conversation the organization started last year with the awarding of its 2012 prize to The City 2.0. Alissa Walker looks at some of the most promising visions for the future of cities.
Award-Winning Project Imagines Insects Will Solve Urban Hunger
A team of Canadian MBA students has won $1 million to alleviate urban hunger with insect-based foods, reports Mary Jander.
New Yorkers Breathe Easier as the City's Buildings Clean Up Their Act
A Bloomberg administration effort to get New York's most polluting buildings to convert to cleaner heating fuels has provided remarkable results, a new study reports.
$300 Million Aid Package Aimed at Revitalizing Detroit's Neighborhoods
The $300 million in federal and private aid announced Friday for Detroit is just a drop in the bucket compared to the city's $18 billion debt. While the aid is far short of a bailout, it represents a down payment on the city's recovery.
Mixed Reports on Success of Bay Area Bike Share
Depending on what media you're reading, Bay Area Bike Share is either off to a "fast start" or an "underwhelming start". We give both reviews - you judge. In addition, Sacramento looks toward BABS as a model, and expansion within SF will be proposed.
Get Your City Walking With DIY Wayfinding
The creator of a lauded guerrilla wayfinding project for Raleigh has launched a new website that allows users to duplicate his compelling signage for their communities.
Can Planning Reverse the Rise in Sexual Violence in India's Cities?
The increase in vehicular speeds, removal of street hawkers, and addition of gated neighborhoods are all seen as contributing to a rise in crimes against women in New Delhi and other Indian cities. How can planning and design reverse this trend?
Friday Funny: Extreme Building Edition
What do an upside-down White House, a toilet-shaped museum, and a planetarium shaped like Saturn and its rings have in common? All can be found in futurist website io9's collection of the world's most extreme buildings.
City of Charlotte
Municipality of Princeton
Roanoke Valley-Alleghany Regional Commission
City of Camden Redevelopment Agency
City of Astoria
Transportation Research & Education Center (TREC) at Portland State University
US High Speed Rail Association
City of Camden Redevelopment Agency
Municipality of Princeton (NJ)
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.
