The Daily Source of Urban Planning News
Shuttered Schools a Growing Challenge in Cities Across the U.S.
Although young adults and baby boomers are flocking back to America's cities, declines in K-12 enrollment are causing many cities to close their schools. A new report looks at the commons challenges in finding new uses for these buildings.
Chinese Economists Call for Fundamental Reforms to Fight Urban Income Gap
Following the Chinese government’s pledge to address its growing urban income gap, India’s The Economic Times suggest that current proposals do not go far enough.
Can Redevelopment Heal Kent's Old Wounds?
A $110 million mixed-use development being built in the center of Kent, Ohio is being touted as the gateway to a new economic era, and is helping the city's major institutions put a four-decade-old tragedy behind them, reports Keith Schneider.
Australian Wind Energy Cheaper Than Coal and Natural Gas
In carbon-tax friendly Australia wind energy production is now cheaper than coal and natural gas.
Will Congress Pass Up Historic Infrastructure-Building Opportunity?
President Obama will reportedly call for new infrastructure investment in tonight's State of the Union address. Is there any reason to think that Congress will take advantage of a once-in-a-lifetime opportunity to rebuild the nation’s infrastructure?
Connections, Community, and the Science of Loneliness
Can urban form help address the loneliness that so often accompanies aging? In a new blog post, Hazel Borys examines some remedies for severed connections.
The Little Bike-Share That Could
Chattanooga didn't let its small population, sprawling environment, and weak cycling culture prevent the city from implementing a small-scale bike-share system. Their experience could hold lessons for other small cities that want jump in the saddle.
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The Conundrum of local food and/vs. sustainability
Most plants grown for food require significant amounts of water - water that Los Angeles doesn't have. How does one identify the point at which local isn't sustainable?
The World's Most Non-Urban Settlements
From an underwater laboratory located in the U.S. Virgin Islands to a research station built on a 10,500-foot high ice plateau in Antarctica, Gizmodo has assembled the "20 loneliest outposts at the end of the world."
D.C.'s new HOT Lanes off to a Slow Start
Recent financial disclosures from the company that operates the Capital Beltway's new high-occupancy toll (HOT) lanes in northern Virginia show that the lanes lost $11.3 million in their first six weeks of operation with fewer users than expected.
How Playboy Pushed the Pleasures of Modern Design
A new exhibition at the NAiM/Bureau Europa, in the Netherlands, examines the debt of gratitude that designers such as Mies van der Rohe, John Lautner, and George Nelson owe to the men's magazine for its promotion of the design trends of the day.
Five Energy Objectives - Is There Consensus?
Alaska Republican Senator Lisa Murkowski believes that politicians of both parties will support her five energy objectives: Make it abundant, affordable, clean, diverse and secure. Will it provide a 'conversation starter' to frame federal policy?
Arup Proposes Radical Building of the Near Future
The global engineering firm envisions a "smart" building that will plug into "smart" urban infrastructure and cater to an increasingly dense and technology-savvy urban population.
Dutch Shocked by Challenges of Shifting to Electric Cars
The Netherlands is proceeding with one of the most ambitious programs to increase electric car usage in the world. In a country with seemingly ideal conditions for adoption, and heavy subsidy, sales of such vehicles have been disappointingly low.
The Man Who Would Plan Washington
The blog Greater Greater Washington has been instrumental in furthering the discussion of land use in D.C. Rachel Weiner profiles its controversial founder, David Alpert, whose lack of formal planning experience is no impediment to his ambitions.
Can L.A. Transform a Notorious Housing Project into a Vibrant Mixed-Income Community?
Jessica Garrison reports on the ambitious $600 million "makeover" planned for the Jordan Downs housing project. The phased transformation, which allows any existing resident "in good standing" to stay, will be the largest such effort in the U.S.
To Reduce Urban Poverty, Empower
Offering a list of policy innovations in several emerging mega-cities, URB.im managing editor Josephine d’Allant argues for empowerment over charity in the battle to improve conditions for the urban poor.
Housing Homeless Provides Payday for NYC Landlords
Because of an acute shortage in accommodations for the city's homeless, NYC's Department of Homeless Services (DHS) is willing to pay exorbitant sums to house the needy in privately owned buildings. The practice is not without its critics.
S.F.'s Beleaguered Housing Authority Gets Gutted
San Francisco Mayor Ed Lee took drastic measures to initiate a turnaround of the city's troubled Housing Authority on Friday by replacing all but one member of the city's Housing Authority Commission.
A Speculative Map Makes the Case for America's Dream Rail System
Despite the best efforts of President Obama, the dream of a countrywide high-speed rail network is still just that. Can a speculative, and tantalizing, map change the debate on high-speed rail in the United States?
City of Mt Shasta
City of Camden Redevelopment Agency
City of Astoria
Transportation Research & Education Center (TREC) at Portland State University
US High Speed Rail Association
City of Camden Redevelopment Agency
Municipality of Princeton (NJ)
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.
