The Daily Source of Urban Planning News
Dramatic Population Growth Presents Opportunity to Reshape America's Urban Environment
To accomodate America's expected population growth by 2050, the country will need to build up to 74 million new homes. This challenge presents a unique opportunity to reshape our urban environment, says Enrique Penalosa, the former mayor of Bogota.
Obama Pushes for Rail Investment Renewal - Without New Funds
Yonah Freemark writes about the expiration of the nation's five-year rail investment program that funds the FRA, Amtrak, and freight rail - separate from MAP 21, and suggests that without a new funding source, don't expect to see any increases.
CO2 Levels Approach Troubling Milestone
The concentration of carbon dioxide in the Earth's atmosphere is fast approaching levels not seen for millions of years. At 400 parts per million (p.p.m.), the planet is fast approaching the point of no return for avoiding dangerous climate change.
Predicting U.S. Transportation Policy Under Future Secretary Foxx
Following Monday's announcement by President Obama of his surprise selection to be the next transportation secretary, observers dig deeper into what the American people can expect from federal transportation policy under Anthony Foxx.
'Triumph of Suburbia' is a Far-Fetched Story
Joel Kotkin is on a roll in the past few weeks, making the case that the revival of cities and decline of suburbs is a fraud — but his argument ignores the facts, argues Robert Steuteville.
Innovative Model Expands the Sharing Economy to Underserved Areas
Expanding car and bike share services beyond America's big cities and affluent demographics requires adaptability and old economy technologies. Buffalo CarShare is providing a model for success that even the big boys could learn from.
How Facebook Simulates Suburbia: Lessons for Building Public Spaces in the Digital Age
As the virtual and physical worlds become more intertwined, the role of the traditional architect and the information architect become more closely aligned. Emily Badger explores the ways that each discipline can help the other design public spaces.
Craft and Context: Architecture that Connects Place and Time
Architect Mark Sofield explores the essential meaning of craft in architecture, which he says lies in the nature of the connections a building or space creates.
The Father-Son Team Who Elevated America's 'Public Palaces'
A new exhibit explores the role that tile masons Rafael Guastavino (father and son) played in embellishing many of America's greatest landmarks of the last century. Grand Central Terminal, Carnegie Hall, and the NY subway all exhibit their work.
Can a Fake Plan Lead to Real Results in Raleigh?
Matt Tomasulo's proposal for an urban beach on the site of a vacant lot in Raleigh has gained a following, and sparked a conversation over the future of the site, demonstrating the power of an attractive idea, a compelling rendering and the Internet.
'Quantitative Urbanism' Reduces Cities to a Formula
Jerry Adler examines the emerging field of “quantitative urbanism,” which aims to use mathematical formulas to unveil and explain the universal properties shared by cities.
America's Ballooning Disaster Debt
A new report out this week quantifies the federal government's escalating disaster relief spending, a sum that hadn't previously been tabulated and came as a surprise to many.
What Types of Homes Will Be Desirable in 10 Years?
What will America's housing market look like in a decade? Will suburban homes make a comeback? Will the popularity of smaller units in urban environments continue to rise? Robert Shiller looks into his housing market crystal ball and sees haze.
Smart States Support Their Economies with Preservation Incentives
As central cities become prized by young professionals and the companies that want to lure them, it behooves states to recognize the value of the historic buildings that bring unique character to workplaces and urban environs, writes Kaid Benfield.
Gas Stations Get Guzzled as D.C.'s Suburbs Densify
Reflecting a nationwide trend, gas stations across the Washington D.C. metro area are disappearing, as rising land values and shrinking margins have station owners eager to sell.
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A Minor Setback for Pedestrians
Municipal setback requirements inconvenience pedestrians for no good reason.
Ranking the World's Most Bike-Friendly Cities
The Copenhagen-based urban planning consultancy Copenhagenize Design Co. has released the follow-up to its 2011 rankings of the world's most bike-friendly cities. Only one city in North America cracked the top 20.
Trucks & Trains Turn Toward LNG to Lower Costs
Just as the power industry turned toward lower priced natural gas and away from dirtier coal, there are signs that trucks and trains are looking to lower priced liquefied natural gas (LNG) to replace diesel-powered vehicles, but there are challenges.
The Future of Municipal Planning 02: Learning from Success
Urban design studios and a plethora of new data demonstrate the value of successful placemaking. Howard Blackson sees these as key components of future municipal planning.
Bike Share Rolls Out in NYC and Haters Multiply
Polls show widespread public support for New York City's new bike share program. But as stations begin to appear on city streets, pitched battles are being waged over the control of public spaces.
One Hundred Miles
County of Mendocino
planning NEXT
The Architects Foundation
University of Cincinnati Online
Montrose County
Northern Illinois Transit Authority (NITA)
The Pocatello Development Authority
FREE Course: Walkable City 1: Why Walkability?
After describing his path towards focusing on walkability as the essence of good planning, Jeff Speck marches through his five principal reasons for making more walkable places.
Reinventing Malls: Planning Alchemy—Turning Gray Fields Into Gold
The course focuses on the opportunities and imperatives that shape reinvention of mall sites.
