The Daily Source of Urban Planning News
Trucks & Trains Turn Toward LNG to Lower Costs
Just as the power industry turned toward lower priced natural gas and away from dirtier coal, there are signs that trucks and trains are looking to lower priced liquefied natural gas (LNG) to replace diesel-powered vehicles, but there are challenges.
The Future of Municipal Planning 02: Learning from Success
Urban design studios and a plethora of new data demonstrate the value of successful placemaking. Howard Blackson sees these as key components of future municipal planning.
Bike Share Rolls Out in NYC and Haters Multiply
Polls show widespread public support for New York City's new bike share program. But as stations begin to appear on city streets, pitched battles are being waged over the control of public spaces.
Is a Costco Superstore a 'Tourist Attraction'?
New York prohibits County Industrial Development Agencies from granting tax breaks to retail projects, but will waive this rule if the project is a "tourist attraction." The Onondaga County IDA thus declared a proposed Costco a tourist attraction.
To Discern D.C.'s Haves and Have-Nots, Look to the Trees
In Washington D.C., double the amount of residents in affluent areas live among plentiful green spaces. Lessening the disparity will require the cooperation of private property owners, not all of whom see more trees as a good thing.
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Who Should Pay for Transportation Infrastructure? What is Fair?
Many people assume incorrectly that motorists pay their share of roadway costs through fuel taxes. Not so. Fairness would require much higher motor vehicle user fees to finance roadways.
Obama to Nominate Charlotte Mayor as Transportation Secretary
News broke Sunday that Charlotte Mayor Anthony Foxx will be President Obama's choice to succeed Ray LaHood as transportation secretary. Although he does not have a transportation background, Foxx has been an advocate for mass transit and TOD.
Enterprise or Chaos? Cairo's DIY Urbanism
Michael Kimmelman examines the race to rebuild and redefine post-revolutionary Cairo, where residents are recreating the city and civic society, and reclaiming public spaces, from the bottom-up.
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'Dam Slow City
Amsterdam feels "cozy" because the city's efforts to manage mobility results in an average speed for all modes of 15kph/10mph.
Successional Urbanism: An Interview with Andrés Duany
Architect and town planner Galina Tachieva sits down with New Urbanism innovator Andrés Duany to discuss the big and small topics on his mind today: lean urbanism, successional urbanism and the Transect, the orthodoxy of the small block, and more.
Your Chance to Build a Neutra Case Study House
In an unusual move, Richard Neutra’s son has announced plans to license the mid-century modernist’s house plans, reports Adrian Glick Kudler.
China Subway Binge: Too Much Too Fast?
If plans by Chinese officials are followed, 38 cities across the country will have subway lines by the end of the decade. The Economist asks if that might be 20 too many, as shiny subways steer investment from other forms of transit.
Sierra Club Changes Position on Immigration
Ever since the divisive, internecine battles almost a decade ago, Sierra Club has steered clear of taking decisive postions on immigration - until April 24 when their board unanimously endorsed a pathway to citizenship for undocumented immigrants.
George W. Bush Library an Architectural Embodiment of the President's Self-Image
The George W. Bush Presidential Center, which was dedicated this past week, is a rare glimpse into the former president’s understanding of his own legacy, writes Henry Grabar.
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The Global TechniCity
Tom Sanchez (Virginia Tech) and I decided to offer a free course to a global audience. The response has been phenomenal with more than 17,000 people participating. Learn about what the globe has to say about technology in cities.
America's Biggest Bookworms
Amazon.com has compiled its third annual list of the 20 'most well-read' cities in America. The results may surprise you.
Conserving the Biodiversity of Massachusetts in a Changing World
BioMap2 is designed to guide strategic biodiversity conservation in Massachusetts over the next decade by focusing land protection and stewardship on the areas that are most critical for ensuring the long-term persistence of rare and native species.
Despite Governor's Reluctance, CEQA Reform Proceeds in CA
Just last week it was reported that Gov. Jerry Brown had given up on trying to reform the state's landmark environmental law this year. State Senate leader Darrell Steinberg must not have gotten the memo.
TIGER Trains Transportation Planners to Think Different
In the first entry in a multi-part series looking at the federal government's Transportation Investment Generating Economic Recovery (TIGER) program, Tanya Snyder looks at the impact the program has had on transportation planning and funding.
Has Seattle Solved the Science of Parking Demand?
Parking regulations are generally formulated as uniform standards that apply to hundreds or thousands of parcels equally, often resulting in overbuilt supply. But what if planners could anticipate the parking demand down to the parcel?
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.
