The Daily Source of Urban Planning News

A new website, Walksteps.org, provides communities tactics for creating walkable communities.

January 9 - Transportation Radio

Ever been startled by a Prius silently sneaking up behind you? Those days may soon fade in the rear view mirror if U.S. Department of Transportation proposals for minimum sound requirements on hybrid and electric vehicles are approved.

January 9 - Los Angeles Times

Hampton Court, a luxury apartment bldg in Manhattan, had two challenges to overcome in attracting tenants - being located in East Harlem and its distance from the Lexington Ave. subway line. An 'amenity' - a shuttle to the subway - proved the answer.

January 9 - The New York Times - Real Estate

Angie Schmitt delivers news that will bring some post-holiday cheer to transit and smart growth advocates. The Federal Transit Administration has revised the criteria by which it judges projects vying for funds from two popular programs.

January 9 - DC.Streetsblog

When it comes to enforcing laws like jaywalking, strictly imposed tickets and fines motivate people to change their behavior. John Cichowski discusses whether light-hearted, even humorous, suggestions can be as effective as heavy-handed prosecution.

January 9 - NorthJersey.com

A new study mandated by the federal Resources Planning Act predicts that developed land in the U.S. will increase by 41 percent in the next five decades. Such development could have dramatic impacts on our natural resources and ecosystems.

January 9 - NRDC Switchboard

What will convince drivers to permanently switch to mass transit? A reliable system and incentives aren't enough, say a group of Swedish researchers, the experience of public transit should also match the qualities people love about cars.

January 8 - The Atlantic Cities

Alan G. Brake looks at the ambitions of Dallas's newly opened Klyde Warren Park. Built atop a trenched highway, the park "attempts to merge sophisticated contemporary design with walkable urbanism" while uniting two downtown neighborhoods.

January 8 - The Architect's Newspaper

A new report released by Smart Growth America evaluates the federal government's influence on America's real estate sector. With $450 billion in subsidies per year, it's clear "the communities we’ve constructed weren’t built on market demand alone."

January 8 - The Atlantic Cities

Tom Vanderbilt discusses the development of D.C.'s Capital Bikeshare program - the nation’s largest, most successful bike-share service - which "was essentially born late one night, two decades ago, in a library."

January 8 - Jonathan Nettler

Even as the world (unsuccessfully) tries to formulate a treaty to get nations to reduce their carbon emissions, researchers indicate it may be too late - the tipping point may have been reached. But what if CO2 could be extracted from the air?

January 8 - The New York Times - Novelties

After the city rezoned Williamsburg, affordable housing was supposed to be built on the grounds of a NYCHA project there. Seven years later, ground has not been broken.

January 8 - The Brooklyn Bureau

A new app from the nonprofit Sunlight Foundation culls publicly available information to give you a graphically pleasing "cultural and demographic snapshot of your surroundings," writes Ariel Schwartz.

January 8 - Fast Company Co.Exist

Cold air and windless days have trapped the fumes from millions of cars and hundreds of old factories in Tehran. The air pollution has reached such high levels that officials are advising residents to remain indoors and to avoid downtown areas.

January 8 - The New York Times

Professional planners can be a great resource for staffing local planning and zoning commissions (especially in smaller communities). That is, of course, as long as they can manage to wear both hats without conflict.

January 8 - The Western Planner

The uncompromising writer, who pioneered the position of full-time architecture critic at an American newspaper, and exemplified the pinnacle of the profession for five decades, died on Monday.

January 8 - The New York Times

BLOG POST

Research supports the argument that increased densities reduce vehicle miles traveled, even in areas with minimal transit service.

January 7 - Michael Lewyn

Angel Jennings reports on the opening of renovated Del Aire Park in unincorporated Los Angeles County, home to the state's first public orchard.

January 7 - Los Angeles Times

ArtPlace — a collaboration of foundations, banks, and federal agencies that supports creative placemaking projects — has released a new study that identifies 12 neighborhoods across the country as America's Top ArtPlaces 2013.

January 7 - ArtPlace

In her news article and blog, Rebecca Smith examines the reduction in electricity consumption in the U.S. - the causes and how utilities have reacted to remain profitable.

January 7 - The Wall Street Journal