The Daily Source of Urban Planning News
Step Aside California, Michigan Modernism Gets a Spin in the Spotlight
During the post-war years, the Wolverine State gave the world much more than just elegant automobiles. A new exhibit explores Michigan's under-appreciated contributions to the design world.
Comprehensive Planning off the Beaten Path
Liven up your comprehensive planning effort Texas style. Matthew Lewis, Development Director for the city of San Marcos, used everything from Legos to "design rodeos" (i.e. Texas charrettes) to get to common ground.
Going, Going, Gone: High Plains Drains its Water Supply
Years of record drought and more intensive farming are draining the High Plains Aquifer, distressing farmers from Colorado to Texas. Rural communities are suffering from dwindling water supplies.
Syracuse Confronts 'Most Important Civic Decision in 60 Years'
To demolish, or not to demolish? As Syracuse considers what to do with its aged elevated highway, special interests are mobilizing to prevent tearing down the crumbling I-81 viaduct and replacing it with an urban boulevard, says David M. Rubin.
54 Arts Projects Awarded Creative Placemaking Grants
ArtPlace America has announced the 54 recipients (out of over 1200 applicants) for its most recent round of creative placemaking grants. The $15.2 million in grants will support projects in 44 communities and a statewide project in Connecticut.
Minister Reins in Mumbai's Haphazard Development Controls; Will the City's Skyline Suffer?
The chief minister of the Indian state of Maharashtra (home to Mumbai) is pushing to rationalize the region's density controls, which had been prone to abuse by developers. Some fear the controls will result in more homogenous designs.
Poverty's Sprawling Tentacles
From 2000-2011 the number of poor Americans living in the suburbs increased at a rate double that of the country's cities. The result is that more poor people now live in the suburbs than in cities. A new book examines this troubling trend.
10 Exemplary Approaches to Station Integration
Different contexts call for different approaches to inserting new transit stations into existing urban environments. From iconic statement to net-zero depot, Ron Nyren looks at 10 stations built recently in cities across the world.
The Urban Diary as a City-Dweller's Tool
Chuck Wolfe champions the 'urban diary' tool as a universal means to understand the city around us.
Rush to Rebuild Could Cause Long-Term Damage to NY/NJ Beaches
Just seven months ago Hurricane Sandy damaged 94 percent of New Jersey's beaches and eroded dozens of miles of coastline in New York. As waterfront communities rush to rebuild before summer, some fear disastrous long-term consequences.
How Miami Lost Its Way to a Transit-Rich Future
Forty years ago, Dade County officials sketched a vision for a paradigm shift away from highways and towards a multi-modal transportation system for the area. Four decades onward, highway expansion is alive and well in Miami-Dade. What happened?
Cities Gain a Brain; But Will They Lose Their Souls?
In the quest to improve efficiency and effectiveness, "smart" technologies are helping cities become more intelligent machines. But a growing chorus fears the side effects of increased privatization, surveillance, and technological sophistication.
Train Derailment Halts America's Busiest Train Line
A Friday evening collision between two Metro-North trains near Fairfield, Conn. injured 60 people, 5 of them critically. It's not known when service will be restored along the busiest train line in the nation.
In America's Cities, the Better-Off Trade Retail for Restaurants
The replacement of retail establishments with restaurants in America’s urban centers has a demographic slant.
Alley Rally Aims to Examine the City's Forgotten Spaces
In popular culture alleyways are often depicted as the setting for illicit acts. But seen in a different light, alleys are key contributors to urban life. SPUR kicks off a week of alley exploration with an essay on their benefits.
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Planning is Not Necessary
Municipal comprehensive plans are neither necessary nor sufficient for smart growth.
Rural-Urban Partnerships May Be the Key to Water Conservation
Most of us who live in major metropolitan areas know that urban water supplies are dwindling. The question is: what can we do about it?
Living with Frank Lloyd Wright
20 homes designed by the renowned architect are looking for a discerning owner. But buyer beware, says Joann S. Lublin, 'owning an architectural treasure can come with significant headaches.'
Don't Close Shop Just Yet, Gen Y Still Likes Shopping in Stores
The rise of online shopping has been seen by some as presaging the demise of the physical store. However, a new report based on national survey results shows that Generation Y isn't ready to give up shopping on foot.
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Accounting for Latent Travel Demand
Planners must anticipate how people would respond to new options, such as better walking, cycling and public transit services. This requires imagination.
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.
