The Daily Source of Urban Planning News
Biking to Work is a Slam Dunk
Lance Armstrong may no longer be the first athlete Americans associate with bicycle riding; and that may be a good thing after the last year he's had. This week, NBA MVP LeBron James's bicycle commute became national news.
Reduce, Reuse, Recycle Housing
South Front, in Wilmington, NC, made use of an abandoned and decayed, 40s-era public housing project, salvaging and renovating every building rather than scraping the site. Scott Doyon talks about several of the reasons that's cool.
Infill Development Picks Up Speed Across the U.S.
A report released this week by the U.S. EPA finds that 71 percent of the country's large metro regions saw an increase in the development of infill housing over the latter half of the last decade. Greenfield development still dominates, however.
Tempe Better for Bikes Than Portland?
This week, the website Walk Score announced the results of its expanded Bike Score evaluation. With more than double the amount of cities than initially ranked, the usual favorites (Minneapolis, Portland), were joined by some surprises.
Marking an 'Exciting Day' for Detroit's Development
This week Michigan Gov. Rick Snyder signed a series of bills passed during the State Legislature's recent lame-duck session that will have long-term impacts on the revival of Detroit and its suburbs, reports Kathleen Gray.
New Data Brings Holiday Cheer for Architects
In the past four years, the real estate and housing downturn has drastically cut billings at architecture firms. However, the Architecture Billings Index shows improvement for a fourth consecutive month and the highest reading since November 2007.
The Twin Cities's Worst Planning Mistakes
Tired of all those year end "Best of" lists? This should cleanse your palate. Marlys Harris has gathered a list of the nine worst decisions made by planners in the history of the Twin Cities.
Farmland Aplenty for Growing World Population
Worried about feeding the world's growing population, especially as it increases meat consumption and farmland is impacted by climate change? No fear - improved crop technology and slowing world growth will allow farms to be converted to wildlands.
Has L.A. Solved Its Most Important Transit Conundrum?
It's one of those news items that makes you ask: "Duh, what took you so long?" Los Angeles World Airports and the Metropolitan Transportation Authority are finally working together to identify how to connect LAX with the city's transit system.
San Francisco Exposes Privately Owned Public Spaces
San Francisco's 1985 downtown plan required large new office and hotel developments to incorporate public spaces, but the city is only now updating the requirements and reinforcing the initial goal of opening up privately owned public spaces (POPOS).
Charlotte Airport Turning Trash into Treasure
Air travel is a notoriously wasteful mode. But one airport is taking huge leaps towards sustainability. Julie Rose reports on Charlotte Douglas International's comprehensive recycling and composting program.
How Big Government Guides All Development
Conservative opponents of Smart Growth often decry the role of government in establishing the regulations and investments that incentivize it. But, as Bradley Heard points out, all development rights, smart or sprawling, depend on big government.
Will Designs Placate Critics of NY Public Library Reno Plans?
Much has been written, both in favor and against, ambitious renovations planned for New York's landmark Public Library building on Fifth Avenue. Until this week, those opinions were written without the benefit of the architect's design concepts.
Toronto's Crumbling Elevated Expressway: Repair or Remove?
As the full extent of the instability of Toronto's elevated Gardiner Expressway, and the city's apparent cover-up of the information, becomes clear, the new chief planner has weighed in on what the priorities should be in addressing the problem.
The Year's Best in Big Data
The "Best of" roll continues with Emily Badger's list of the most useful tools, maps and data visualizations to make use of municipal open data over the past year.
Should Maine Spend More on its Cities?
70 percent of Maine's economic activity and 90 percent of its population growth over the last decade took place in three metro areas. So why is the state "giving money to ‘well-off’ suburbs at expense of urban areas?" Matthew Stone investigates.
How the World Bank Helped Create the World's Deadliest Road
It doesn't traverse a deep gorge or curve around a mountainside, so what makes the N2 in Bangladesh one of the world's deadliest highways? Annie Kelly explains.
Why are Americans Preferring to Stay Put?
Americans are less mobile than they were decades ago and it's unclear why. Possible explanations include the recession, habits based on family make-up, as well as telecommuting and job trends, but none of these proposed reasons can be easily proven.
Recapping a Notable Year in Landscape Architecture
Charles A. Birnbaum marks the milestones that have contributed to landscape architecture's growing stature over the past year.
Motorists Save With Efficient Parking Pricing
Contrary to many motorists' fears, San Francisco's demand-based parking pricing has reduced overall average hourly rates and ticket citations.
Municipality of Princeton
Roanoke Valley-Alleghany Regional Commission
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.
