The Daily Source of Urban Planning News

Affordable rental housing is scarce in the US, especially among low income people, finds a new report by the Bipartisan Policy Center. As "the housing demand of Baby Boomers and their children starts to converge," the problem will only get worse.

February 27 - The Atlantic Cities

Mumbai architect Pallavi Shrivastava reflects on the impact that the inaccessibility of the city has on the status of women in society and their ability to shape the future of the places in which they live.

February 27 - The Global Urbanist

FEATURE

Justin Hollander, PhD, AICP, looks closely at Detroit’s new Strategic Framework Plan and finds a compelling plan to manage depopulation. The plan takes a realistic view of what it would take to make Detroit a great city without growing.

February 26 - Justin Hollander

Accounting for 45% of America's land mass and 30% of its population, the Great Plains, the Intermountain West, the Gulf states, and the Southeastern industrial belt are key to a national revival, says a new report from the Manhattan Institute.

February 26 - New Geography

A mixed-use development being proposed for the First Baptist Church's property in downtown Silver Spring is just the latest in a series of similar projects across the D.C. suburbs that are pitting congregations against preservationists.

February 26 - Greater Greater Washington

After Hurricane Sandy, hundreds of architects and engineers offered their services to assist an overwhelmed NYC Department of Buildings in assessing storm-damaged properties. So why were they turned away?

February 26 - Crain's New York Business

Density is a loaded term that brings with it many negative connotations. But it can help solve "our city's toughest challenges." Brent Toderian discusses lessons from Vancouver on how to turn "the third rail of municipal politics" into an asset.

February 26 - HuffPost British Columbia

Are you a Place-Maker or a Place-Shaker? Check out Scott Doyon's post for a look at where to draw the line. Spoiler alert: It's all about the politics.

February 26 - PlaceShakers

From $100 million in upgrades to Dodger Stadium, to the decades-long effort to revitalize the Los Angeles River, to the construction of the tallest building west of the Mississippi, discover the status of 85 projects underway in downtown L.A.

February 26 - Los Angeles Downtown News

GE and Google maps have announced a new partnership that could lead to significant advances in the way infrastructure is planned, cataloged, and maintained, reports Michael V. Copeland.

February 26 - Wired

BLOG POST

A recent study suggesting that mixed-use zoning increases crime is not as persuasive as it might seem at first glance.

February 26 - Michael Lewyn

Taking a page out of the book of budget airlines such as Ryanair, France's SNCF is introducing OuiGo - a hyper low-cost high-speed rail option that aims to convert suburban drivers into train riders.

February 26 - the transport politic

In this op-ed, MIT climate research scientist Valerie J. Karplus contrasts raising CAFE standards with gas taxes. While the former may be more politically expedient, she shows how it is less effective in reducing emissions, oil reliance and driving.

February 26 - The New York Times

Engineering marvel, polluted sewer, magnet for development - the Chicago River has worn many hats in its day. For its next role, can it become an "example of environmental innovation and ecological stewardship"?

February 26 - OnEarth

BLOG POST

Vancouver's ahead-of-the-curve 1997 decision to prioritize active transport, rather than balance its ways of getting around, has affected everything about how the city has been designed since then.

February 25 - Brent Toderian

The Project for Public Spaces (PPS) has released the results of a new study aimed at understanding how to "get more healthy food into...communities through farmers markets."

February 25 - PPS Placemaking Blog

Governor Deval Patrick is set to unveil a key piece of his multi-billion dollar plan for reinvigorating Massachusetts' beleaguered transportation system: an $850 million expansion of congested South Station. Martine Powers describes the project.

February 25 - The Boston Globe

For a state that prides itself on being a nature lovers' paradise, a growing struggle with hazardous air pollution threatens Utah's very identity. Dan Frosch examines the factors contributing to the epidemic, and some of the proposed solutions.

February 25 - The New York Times

Over the weekend, Virginia passed a controversial transportation funding plan that replaces the state's gas tax with a combination of revenue streams. Two California economists look at the flaws with the plan.

February 25 - The Washington Post

California's second auction saw a 35% increase in the price paid for a carbon pollution permit to $13.62, while prices at the much larger European market continue to fall and permits go unsold. The price there recently fell to $6.46.

February 25 - Bloomberg News