The Daily Source of Urban Planning News

As news reports indicate, the recent BART strike made a mess out of the Bay Area's morning and evening commutes. For planning think tank SPUR, it has helped to illustrate significant gaps in the region's transportation infrastructure.

July 5 - SPUR Blog

Looking for some design inspiration? The editors of ArchDaily have put together a list if the 25 top feeds to follow on Instagram.

July 5 - ArchDaily

Since we covered the many problems encountered by users of New York's Citi Bike, we though it only fair to share news of a large-scale bike share system that recently launched with far fewer problems (at least according to one reporter).

July 5 - Grist

An Istanbul court has ruled in favor of Turkish architects, city planners and landscape architects who sued last year to halt the planned redevelopment of Taksim Square. The project sparked nationwide protests last month.

July 5 - The New York Times

BLOG POST

American reliance on property taxes leads to NIMBYism and periodic tax revolts, thus impeding both development and basic public services.

July 4 - Michael Lewyn

Hopefully you were able to enjoy some summer sun on this Fourth of July. If you're among the many Americans who helped propel population growth in the country's warmer states over the last century, you likely did.

July 4 - The Atlantic Cities

Have you heard of stroading? While we don't recommend you try this at home, it behooves us to tell you about the ingenious meme that Charles Marohn and his friends have devised to point out America's over-engineered urban streets.

July 4 - Strong Towns Blog

Mark Landler reviews the recent efforts of the Obama administration to make headway on climate change through executive order, diplomacy and economic incentive.

July 4 - The New York Times

A new study published by the National Endowment for the Arts profiles America's 2 million professional artists (including architects), with information on artist salaries, a breakdown of occupations, and the cities with the most working artists.

July 4 - The Washington Post

Independence Day is a day to reflect on America's history; and with many of the activities associated with the holiday (parades, fireworks) set on urban stages, it's the perfect occasion to enjoy some amazing images of the country's urban past.

July 4 - Chicago Magazine

If you haven't managed to escape from, or you've managed to escape to, New York City this holiday weekend you might be pleased to learn that a new guide to the city's urban landscapes has been published by Norton Architecture and Design Books.

July 3 - The Architect's Newspaper Blog

Unlike the United Sates, Canada, and Great Britain, few countries raise substantial revenues from property taxes. The Economist argues that property taxes are among the most efficient, stable, and progressive forms of taxation and should be embraced.

July 3 - The Economist

On Tuesday, Anthony Foxx was sworn in as America's 17th transportation secretary. But before he could take over the keys to the department, outspoken DOT head Ray LaHood spoke with Sommer Mathis about the future of transport in America.

July 3 - The Atlantic Cities

Urban Agriculture design is a small, but growing, area of specialization for North America's landscape architects. Abbagail Taddei looks at eight firms that are leading the way.

July 3 - Land8

The nation has a huge quantity of postwar housing that can be made more walkable and appealing to new generations of residents. Robert Steuteville examines what makes them good candidates and notes some examples of successful retrofits.

July 3 - Better! Cities & Towns

As substantial state and federal subsidies for electric cars continue, and the number of vehicles on America's roads climbs, a new article is raising questions about their environmental benefits over conventional cars.

July 3 - DC.Streetsblog

Shannon Mattern examines how media scholars and environmental artists are working to reveal the material and immaterial infrastructures that shape our lives, from the Interstate to the Internet.

July 3 - Places Journal

Long lines for transbay ferries and the limited number of free charter buses operated by BART, packed AC Transit transbay buses, and traffic crawling on the S.F.-Oakland Bay Bridge show the effects of the BART strike on day two.

July 3 - KCBS

A number of recent reports have examined the growing levels of poverty found in America's suburbs. An interactive map developed by the Urban Institute makes the dimensions and trajectories of that growth clear.

July 3 - The Atlantic Cities

Just a few decades ago, clients were discouraging designers from providing comfortable resting spots in NYC's parks. For a crop of new public spaces, designers are dreaming up fanciful park furniture that beckons people to stop and stay a while.

July 3 - The New York Times