The Daily Source of Urban Planning News

Fresh from a lively debate about the desirability of the gridiron layout of cities at CNU 21, Paul Knight shares his eight central arguments for why one would be wise to use the rectilinear grid today.

June 10 - The Great American Grid

Harvard's SIB Lab has announced the winners of a competition to receive technical assistance with developing social impact bond programs; an idea that has 'traveled from concept to execution faster than any other social innovation in recent history.'

June 10 - The Washington Post

Amid the hoopla over the recent launch of bike-share systems in two of the three largest cities in the U.S., the supposed start of such a system in the nation's second largest city has come and gone without any explanation. What's behind the delay?

June 10 - LA.Streetsblog

As states struggle with ways to increase transportation revenue to shore-up aging infrastructure, we look at Conn. and N.H. Due to indexing, one will increase its gas tax by 4-cents on July 1, while the other rejected a 12-cent increase over 3 years.

June 10 - The Norwich Bulletin

The Empire State Building's place in New York City's skyline is set to be challenged by several new residential towers, as the city experiences a height hysteria not seen since the heady days of the late 1920s.

June 10 - The New York Times

When does the opening of a Whole Foods generate national media attention? When the location is Midtown, Detroit.

June 10 - Grist

Federal money earmarked to help prevent foreclosures and assist underwater homeowners will instead be used to fund housing demolitions in a $100 million pilot project in five Michigan cities.

June 10 - The Atlantic Cities

US Department of Transportation (DOT) officials would consider a change in the way they classify thoroughfares — to the benefit of pedestrians, bicyclists, and transit users — but they need political support, writes Robert Steuteville.

June 10 - Better! Cities & Towns

The tragic deaths of six people in last week's downtown building collapse have prompted Philadelphia City Council President Darrell L. Clarke to revive a bill he originally sponsored 13 years ago that would penalize owners of vacant properties.

June 10 - philly.com

While outgoing Mayor Villaraigosa has made great strides in building L.A.'s public transit and bicycle culture, there's still room for improvement, argues Harris Silver. He suggests 6 ways to further reduce Angelenos reliance on the automobile.

June 9 - Huffington Post

A $1.5 billion deal between London Mayor Boris Johnson and a private Chinese Developer will fund the creation of an international business district at the city's Royal Albert Docks. Terry Farrell & Partners will complete the project's master plan.

June 9 - The Architect's Newspaper Blog

Prince George's County will streamline the review process for developers who build around public transit stations, writes Miranda S. Spivack. The bill could speed up the approvals process by as much as a year.

June 9 - The Washington Post

Although he recognized that Denver does not have an immediate demand for micro-housing, architect Jeff Sheppard launched a design competition that proved global interest in the this hot housing type, writes David Hill.

June 9 - Architectural Record

Billboards deployed by IBM in France actually make themselves useful as they invade public spaces, and seek to inspire ideas for improving cities.

June 9 - PSFK

Famous for renovating well-known historic properties, Los Angeles developer Wayne Ratkovich is taking on a new challenge: transforming a fortress-like enclosed mall that sits smack in the middle of booming downtown L.A.

June 8 - Los Angeles Times

Downtown Redwood City (near San Francisco) has seen an amazing turnaround due to an aggressive program of code reform, strong investments in public spaces, and a strategy of using entertainment as a catalyzing force.

June 8 - CNU.org

The architectural image is the currency of contemporary architecture. It's the means by which projects are envisioned, sold, and judged. But is the quest for the perfect image harming Architecture?

June 8 - Arch Daily

The Urban Land Institute has announced the five finalists for its annual Urban Open Space Award, which recognizes 'an outstanding example of a public destination that has enriched and revitalized its surrounding community.'

June 8 - The Architect's Newspaper Blog

Bruce Katz, president and founding director of the Metropolitan Policy Program at the Brookings Institution, explains how the economies of America's largest metropolitan areas are driving the country's future prosperity.

June 8 - The Planning Report

Apparently the kids in Japan are just too darn loud. In a country where the old increasingly outnumber the young, crotchety old folks are cracking down on the sounds of childhood.

June 7 - The Japan Times