The Daily Source of Urban Planning News
To Preserve Landscapes, Environmentalists Put Their Money Where Their Mouths Are
A novel approach to land conservation is emerging in the American West, where environmental advocates, ranchers, hunters and rich landowners, are utilizing the free market, rather than the courts, to preserve public landscapes.
Could the Skyscrapers of the Future Look Like Giant Umbrellas?
EVolo Magazine has selected the three winners of its annual competition to "recognize outstanding ideas for vertical living." 625 entries were received from 83 different countries.
What Can be Done About the Global Scourge of Road Deaths?
1.2 million people are killed by road collisions every year, says a new report from the World Health Organization. Across the world, it's the leading cause of death for 15- to 29-year-olds. Nick Mead discusses the report's chilling findings.
How Can New York Feed its Food Resurgence?
Food is a central part of New York City's economy. Residents of the city spend $30 billion on food each year: growing jobs, driving development, and defining its neighborhoods. Yet there's much more NY could do to support its food resurgence.
Questions Arise About Keystone XL's Pipeline to Energy Independence
A major reason given by Keystone XL pipeline supporters is that the Canadian oil it will deliver to Gulf refineries will help make the U.S. 'energy independent', yet data shows that those refineries are now exporting 60% of the gasoline they produce.
Taking the Fun out of Entertainment Districts
Using Omaha's Old Market neighborhood as an example, Nathaniel M. Hood calls for an end to the urban "Entertainment District" - the common revitalization tool that produces a "single-use monoculture" that alienates families and baby boomers.
Ending the Ceaseless Cycle of Car Dependency
Rather than the doomsday scenarios envisioned by critics, recent results indicate that closing streets to cars can have a demonstrable effect in improving circulation.
Building a Better Playground
Cecilie Rohwedder profiles playground designer Peter Heuken, who's at the vanguard of a trend towards bespoke play spaces that challenge children as much as they entertain them.
Environmental Accounting: Prevention versus Recovery
When the combined cost of coal and oil extraction equals America's annual budget deficit, how do we account for the cost of prevention? Amy Larkin discusses the "environmental debt" - the coming "centerpiece of our financial troubles."
Toyo Ito Wins 2013 Pritzker Prize
Over the weekend it was announced that 71-year-old Japanese architect Toyo Ito has won this year's Pritzker Prize, the most prestigious award in the field. The jury honored Ito for combining "conceptual innovation with superbly executed buildings."
Schizo Skyline: Warring Williamsburg Mandates Leave Waterfront Out of Whack
Did the rezoning of the Williamsburg waterfront backfire? Stephen Jacob Smith reflects on the lack of transition between the neighborhood's skyscraping waterfront and its low-rise inland, a missing middle mandated by recent upzoning.
Where to Find an Irish Lad or Lass in the U.S. this St. Paddy's Day
With 35.5 million Americans claiming at least some Irish ancestry (five times more than the population of Ireland), you've got a pretty good chance of finding an Irishman or woman to kiss if you know where to look in the United States.
Extremely Low-Cost Housing Solutions Gain Currency
Lamar Anderson offers a window into some promising extremely inexpensive housing solutions that engage the user in the design and construction process.
Setback Reported in Landmark Effort to Limit U.S. Power Plant Emissions
Juliet Eilperin reports that the Obama administration's much lauded proposal to regulate greenhouse gas emissions from new power plants will miss an upcoming deadline for finalization, and will likely be revisited.
Explore Ireland's Green Credentials for St. Patrick's Day
Kaid Benfield suggest 5 ways to "rock the Irish green" in honor of St. Paddy's Day. If you can't experience the holiday on the Emerald Isle, you can at least partake in an appreciation of the country's environmental efforts with these suggestions.
Do the Facts Support Fracking Opposition?
Susan Brantley of Penn State University and Anna Meyendorff of University of Michigan pen this op-ed to assess the pros and cons of fracking for natural gas. How does fracking compare to obtaining energy from other sources? Do the facts warrant bans?
Opposition to Atlanta Stadium Subsidy Reflects National Trend
Falcons owner Arthur Blank and city leaders in Atlanta are pushing to build a new $1 billion football stadium to replace the 20-year-old publicly-financed Georgia Dome. Amid tight budgets some elected officials are concerned with the plan.
Obama to Expand NEPA Reviews to Consider Climate Change
It what would be a significant policy shift that could impact major projects that are subject to federal oversight, the Obama administration is expected to guide all federal agencies to consider the impact on global warming in their NEPA reviews.
Courtyards Make a Comeback
Apparently, "one of the oldest home styles in the world" is making a comeback. Alyssa Abkowitz looks at the growing trend in incorporating courtyards into new home designs.
City of Camden Redevelopment Agency
City of Astoria
Transportation Research & Education Center (TREC) at Portland State University
City of Camden Redevelopment Agency
Municipality of Princeton (NJ)
Regional Transportation Commission of Southern Nevada
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.
