The Daily Source of Urban Planning News
Cities Struggle with Spread of E-Cigarette Smoke Shops
The $1 billion electronic cigarette industry has boomed in the last year; Southern California cities, shell-shocked from the spread of marijuana dispensaries, are struggling to cope with the storefront businesses.
From Suburbs to "Urban Burbs"
Eric Jaffe of The Atlantic Cities talks with writer Leigh Gallagher about her new book, The End of the Suburbs: Where the American Dream Is Moving, and her opinions on the rapidly evolving American housing market.
Food Stamp Numbers Indicate Sharp Rise In Suburban Poverty
When you think about poverty, do you picture the suburbs? New data suggests that you should.
London's 'Walkie-Talkie' Skyscraper Melts Cars
The new "Walkie-Talkie" skyscraper at 20 Fenchurch Street in London has been accused of using the sun to melt cars, damage bikes, and blind pedestrians.
What's Behind Bike Share's Skyrocketing Growth?
Earth Policy Institute's bike share charts allow readers to compare bike share programs in the U.S., now numbering 34 with 18,000 bikes. As impressive as it is, a comparison with bike share programs abroad put the numbers in perspective.
How Parking Rules Raise Rents
Alan Durning details the negative effects that parking requirements have on housing affordability.
Infographics: The Truth About Transit
Since it has struggled with aggressive transit foes over half-cent sales taxes and light rail, Charlotte, North Carolina's transit system is launching a campaign to dispel myths about transit with crisp, clear infographics.
Midwestern Cities Using Transit as Economic Development Tool
Chicago's Fulton Market's new transit stop is attracting attention and investment in the neighborhood. Increasingly, more cities in the Midwest are embracing transportation projects as a means to revitalize downtowns and historic districts.
Texas Roads Crisis: DOT Proposes To Let Counties Maintain Roads
Following-up on the depavement of 83 miles of "farm-to-market" roads, TxDOT now proposes a much larger budget-saving measure: "Turn back" control of 2,000 miles of these state roadways to counties and cities. TxDOT also wants to focus on urban roads.
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A Vision for LA's New Web-Based Zoning Code
For the first time since 1946, Los Angeles is completely revising its zoning code. Urban Insight, the team behind Planetizen, is pleased to be part of this project. One of our key goals is to create a modern web-based version of the zoning code.
Has Asia Hit Peak Mega-Mall?
Asia's mega-malls have been booming for over a decade, many built atop former park space, and now are suffering from high vacancy rates and low consumer spending.
California Refineries Prepare For Canadian Crude
Canadian oil is headed to two California oil refineries thanks to the collaboration of Union Pacific and Canadian Pacific railroads. Valero Energy's Benicia and Wilmington refineries are improving rail facilities in preparation for the deliveries.
NYC's App Quest Generates Wealth of New Subway App Ideas
New York City's MTA is gearing up to wire all of its subway stations for cellular use, and has released the full list of application concepts created by developers for subway riders. The public can vote now -- what would make your ride better?
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Congestion Costing Point-Counter-Point
Conventional transportation planning tends to exaggerate congestion costs and roadway expansion benefits, and undervalues other transportation solutions such as improving alternative modes, pricing reforms and smart growth policies.
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The Garden City at "The World's End"
The new film The World's End may be a hilarious British comedy about an epic pub crawl interrupted by the Apocalypse, but it also presents the viewer with a provocative perspective on competing views of liberty.
Cities and States Most Impacted by Early Deaths from Air Pollution
An MIT study finds 200,000 early deaths per year in U.S. are attributed to air pollution. The biggest source is vehicle tailpipes at 53,000. Most impacted state: California; most impacted city: Baltimore.
Cargo Cult Urbanism?
In many exurban locations, planners and developers are often enticed by the idea of building urban environments, but without the necessary markets to support them, argues a real estate consultant.
Is Los Angeles' Car Culture on a Collision Course with Economic Ruin?
Architect and planner Gerhard W. Mayer asserts that a city developed to accommodate cars is no place for paltry public transit offerings; Los Angeles needs major changes to its DNA if it wants to remain viable.
A New Idea To Save San Francisco Bay From Sea Level Rise
What do Google, Facebook, Yahoo, Intuit and many other tech companies in have in common? Their locations next o the San Francisco Bay could be underwater within 50 years as sea levels rise. The latest idea is a "Golden Gate Barrage".
What do you Get when you Cross "Car Share" with "Bike Share"?
Electric Bike Share! The new program is set to launch in famously hilly San Francisco and across the bay in Berkeley next spring. Unlike the region's bike share which just launched August 29, it will be administered by the non-profit City Car Share.
City of Clovis
City of Moorpark
City of Camden Redevelopment Agency
City of Astoria
Transportation Research & Education Center (TREC) at Portland State University
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.
