The Daily Source of Urban Planning News

New Apps Bring Hand Drawn Designs to the iPad

Lissette Valdez looks at two new applications that are helping to blur the lines between digital and hand drawn designs.

October 10 - The Architect's Newspaper

Should Wind and Solar Stand on Their Own?

<em>The Wall Street Journal</em> invites Mark Muro, with the Brookings Institution, and David Kreutzer, with the Heritage Foundation, to debate the merits of government subsidies for the development of wind and solar power in the United States.

October 10 - The Wall Street Journal

In Seattle, a Reborn Park Reflects a Broader Revival

Over the past six years, the Seattle parks department has made great progress in sprucing up Denny Park, the city's oldest, giving new life to the "last stand of big trees amid the city's grit and gray."

October 9 - The Seattle Times

Where Should Your Toll Money Go?

Should the tolls you pay to traverse a bridge or highway go directly to the upkeep of that roadway, or should they go to fund transportation projects, such as public transit? Five experts debate this question in the New York Times Opinion Pages.

October 9 - The New York Times

How Location-Based Data Can Improve Government Services

With three-quarters of smartphone owners accessing real-time location-based information, the biggest names in technology - from Apple to Google - are working to mine the value of location-based data. Can local governments do the same?

October 9 - Governing


Plan for NYC's Largest Ever Development Comes Into Focus

As the Hudson Yards project prepares to start construction on Manhattan's west side, Justin Davidson examines the plans for the borough's "largest remaining chunk of emptiness" and shares exclusive new renderings.

October 9 - New York Magazine

CA Gasoline Tradeoff: More Smog For Lower Pump Prices?

The news of the escalating gas prices was ubiquitous - local media news reports led with gas station prices that had risen 20-50 cents overnight, or stations that had closed early for lack of gas. Finally, Gov. Brown acted to alleviate the 'crisis'.

October 9 - The New York Times - U.S.


How Swiftly Could Romney Gut Federal Environmental Protections?

John M. Broder looks at the obstacles that stand in the way of Mitt Romney's campaign pledge to “take a weed whacker” to a variety of federal pollution and public health rules.

October 9 - The New York Times

India's 'Census Towns' Struggle to Keep Up with Growth

As rural areas urbanize, India's land classification system leaves many without power to implement services.

October 9 - Livemint

Aging in 'Connected' Places

Ben Brown argues that design adaptations intended to accommodate America's swelling senior population by "aging in place" will be unable, on their own, to meet the challenge. He looks at one model of support that goes beyond universal design.

October 9 - PlaceShakers

Amtrak Joins Fight Against Trafficking

Amtrak announced this week that they will train 8,000 employees across the nation on how to identify and report potential victims of human trafficking.

October 9 - USA Today

Could Residences Soon Be Found in the Shadow of the National Mall?

A 22 acre parcel of federal buildings located within spitting distance of the National Mall could transform the heart of the Nation's Capital, as the GSA seeks ideas from developers on how to use its many current and soon-to-be abandoned buildings.

October 9 - The Washington Post

Chicago's New Themed Vision for Riverwalk

Chicago is seeking funding for a $100 million build-out of the Chicago River riverwalk stretching from State to Lake streets. The City hopes to build another popular destination like Millennium Park.

October 8 - Chicago Tribune

BLOG POST

The Long and Short of Writing

<span style="font-family: Times New Roman; font-size: small"> </span> <p style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt" class="MsoNormal"> <span style="font-family: Times New Roman; font-size: small">Study after</span><a href="/node/34807" target="_blank"><span style="color: #0000ff; font-family: Times New Roman; font-size: small"> study</span></a><span style="font-size: small"><span style="font-family: Times New Roman"> <span style="font-size: small">highlights writing as a major skill that planning employers are looking for in new hires. Two specific kinds of writing seem most challenging to beginning planners.<br />

October 8 - Ann Forsyth

CA High Speed Rail Opponents Ask For Preliminary Injunction In Central Valley

With federal and state environmental clearance and with funds allocated, the main obstacle to laying track in the Fresno-Merced route is an environmental lawsuit to be be heard April, 2013. Two county farm bureaus ask that work cease until then.

October 8 - Merced Sun-Star

Scenes from The World's Factory

A journalist offers a personal account and striking images from Guangzhou, capital of Guangdong, China, home to factories that the produce a wide variety of exported goods.

October 8 - The Design Observer

The Economic Argument for Bicycling

A new report from the League of American Bicyclists highlights studies from across the U.S. showing the economic benefits of biking.

October 8 - Co.Exist

The New Breed of Public-Interest Designers

An emerging field of public interest design embeds architects and designers in communities that wouldn't otherwise be able to afford good design.

October 8 - The New York Times

Shoup To APA: Let Planners Lead on Parking Requirements

Donald Shoup explains his disappointment with the American Planning Association's opposition to California legislation (AB 904), that would cap minimum parking requirements.

October 8 - International Transportation Economics Association

Silicon Valley Entrepreneurs Move South and Buy LA's Luxury Housing

The Wall Street Journal reports on the growing numbers of technology entrepreneurs who are buying luxury homes in beachfront areas around Los Angeles, earning the stretch from Santa Monica to Playa Vista the name "Silicon Beach".

October 8 - The Wall Street Journal

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The who's who of urbanism, according to Planetizen readers.

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A short list of voices on social, video, and podcasting platforms.

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.