The Daily Source of Urban Planning News

For those that dream of traveling the length of the Golden State without getting behind the wheel of an automobile, a new map shows the interconnected system of trains and buses that can get you from San Diego to Eureka and in-between.

January 14 - SF.Streetsblog

Across the United States, bike-share systems have struggled to provide access to those with fewer transportation options. Darren Buck looks at what some cities are doing to expand their reach.

January 14 - Greater Greater Washington

Edwin Heathcote looks at "fumbling attempts at creating new forms of urbanity" and "new ideals of beauty" in cities like Milton Keynes, Rotterdam, and Dubai, and asks if we can still create urban beauty, or if it's even desirable in the first place.

January 14 - The Financial Times

A suburban Detroit developer is promoting an alternative vision for Detroit's Belle Isle: transforming the island park into a commonwealth free market utopia for the elite.

January 14 - The Detroit News

At a forum held last week, candidates to become L.A.'s next mayor outlined their approaches to tackling the city's most daunting housing challenges - from homelessness to the need for more affordable housing.

January 14 - Los Angeles Times

Azeen Ghorayshi looks at how Oakland's civic hackers are trying to change the city through technology -- giving people greater access to data, increasing transparency, and keeping people better informed -- all with minimal investment by the city.

January 14 - East Bay Express

The draft of a new report issued last week by the U.S. government concludes the impacts of climate change are spreading faster than previously predicted.

January 14 - Los Angeles Times

Justin Hyde is firmly in the camp that 'Vehicle-Miles-Traveled' (VMT) fees are coming - and the release of a GAO report last month may support that contention. Privacy concerns from GPS and collection costs are challenges that were considered.

January 14 - Motoramic (Yahoo! Autos blog)

Amanda Kerr reports on a trend in small mixed-use developments in southeastern Virginia. Can such projects succeed while larger mixed-use developments in the region struggle?

January 14 - Hampton Roads Daily Press

Annie Lowrey looks at how the taxpayer funded expansion of private contracting for the federal government turned D.C. from "national embarrassment" to creative class hot spot, and why those boom days may be coming to an end.

January 14 - The New York Times

John Metcalfe looks at how one Japanese company is advancing a more quieter sensitive method for demolishing high-rise buildings, floor by floor.

January 13 - The Atlantic Cities

Detroit has received a significant showing of confidence from its benefactor, The Kresge Foundation (based in Troy, MI) after it unveiled its new strategic plan known as Detroit Future City. As the city downsizes, the challenges are significant.

January 13 - The Wall Street Jounal

The Council on Tall Buildings and Urban Habitat has released its annual report on the state of skyscraper construction. Worldwide, 2012 witnessed the completion of 66 buildings taller than 200 meters, including the second tallest in the world.

January 13 - The Council on Tall Buildings and Urban Habitat Studies

Richard Florida interviews Jeff Speck about his new and highly praised book "Walkable City." The two authors discuss why cities should become more walkable to meet the needs of the "Walking Generation."

January 13 - The Atlantic Cities

In Chicago, like in many cities, local food production comes in many forms, from small backyard crops to community gardens. Researchers are now using Google Earth to paint a more accurate picture of food production at different scales.

January 13 - NPR

As the L.A. metro continues to expand, so do opportunities for artists to showcase their art. For transit riders, this adds an important element to their daily journey, making the commuting experience all the more memorable.

January 12 - Los Angeles Times

Most California lawsuits challenging environmental impact reports have their sites set on infill projects.

January 12 - California Planning & Development Report

What does the impending demise of the Fresh & Easy grocery chain mean for food deserts? Hannah Burton Laurison and Christine Fry look at how small-format grocery stores can still succeed where Fresh & Easy failed.

January 12 - HealthyCal.org

Social scientists have a theory that a neighborhood's character shapes its economic future more than income levels and foreclosure rates. A tragedy to the community of Chatham on Chicago's South Side has tested this "neighborhood effect."

January 12 - The New York Times

To ease the transition from conflict into post-conflict and stability, there is a high need for urban professionals who can artfully balance the demand for security alongside city spaces for healing, argues Mitchell Sutika Sipus.

January 12 - Humanitarian Space