The Daily Source of Urban Planning News

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.

September 30 - Fast Company Co.Exist

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".

September 30 - The Wall Street Journal - U.S. News

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.

September 30 - Parchment

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.

September 29 - PlaceShakers

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.

September 29 - The Planning Report

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.

September 29 - The Atlantic Cities

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.

September 29 - Gizmodo

A team of Canadian MBA students has won $1 million to alleviate urban hunger with insect-based foods, reports Mary Jander.

September 29 - Future Cities

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.

September 28 - The New York Times

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.

September 28 - Detroit Free Press

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.

September 28 - Streetsblog San Francisco

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.

September 28 - Pop-Up City

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?

September 28 - The New York Times

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.

September 27 - io9

BLOG POST

Abu Dhabi is updating its strategic development plan. Consultant Todd Litman reports on the city's recent urban planning charrette.

September 27 - Todd Litman

With $11.2 million in federal, state and local funds, the US DOT is launching a National Center for Sustainable Transportation. The center aims to reduce the transport sector's contribution to climate change through research, education, and outreach.

September 27 - Next City

In exchange for a promise from a country club not to oppose the planned Purple Line, the Maryland Transit Administration has agreed to move tracks, build sound walls, and attend regular meetings. Residents aren't happy about the special treatment.

September 27 - The Washington Post

The synopsis of the IPCC's fifth major climate assessment was released today in Stockholm. With near absolute certainty, the panel identified humans as the cause of the dangerously warming planet. Could the report propel languishing negotiations?

September 27 - The New York Times

China's drive to reduce urban air pollution and increase energy security will unleash massive carbon and toxic emissions, almost tripling its current emissions over 40 years. The plan is to build 40 plants to convert coal to synthetic natural gas.

September 27 - Quartz

With a goal of improving the quality of life for the city's residents, Los Angeles Mayor Eric Garcetti is embarking on a titanic task: using technology, transparency, and accountability to transform the city's "lumbering" bureaucracy.

September 27 - Los Angeles Times