The Daily Source of Urban Planning News

Once again, Southern California finds itself embroiled in a dispute over public access to, and private usurping of, its most coveted resource -- the beach. This time, tony Orange County is the scene of the battle.

May 8 - Los Angeles Times

Amidst the paradoxical increase in ridership demand, Yonah Freemark explores the plague of transit cuts reinforcing regional inequalities across the country.

May 8 - the transport politic

With low-income children much more likely to be overweight than their wealthier counterparts, Sarah Parsons looks at six innovative ideas for improving access to healthy foods in low-income communities.

May 8 - Good

FEATURE

May 8 - Ross Chapin

On the occasion of recent elections in England that saw the defeat eight of the nine referendums seeking approval for directly elected mayors, Peter Hetherington laments the state of local governance in the country.

May 8 - The Guardian

Megan Jett has created a beautiful series of compelling infographics that capture the different factors contributing to the decline of suburbia.

May 8 - ArchDaily

Starbucks used to be the retailer who symbolically announced the revival of an urban community. Not any longer. Will Doig looks at Whole Foods, the new gentrification symbol, who've "made a science of putting down roots" at "just the right moment".

May 8 - Salon.com

Announced on Monday by Mayor Michael Bloomberg and NYCDOT Commissioner Janette Sadik-Khan, America's largest bike share program will be named Citibike, for its lead sponsor Citibank, reports Branden Klayko.

May 8 - The Architect's Newspaper Blog

John Schwartz looks at Chicago's rail mess, which seems entirely inadequate a word to describe the "sprawling traffic jam" that keeps some rail traffic crawling through the city at an average speed of 1.13 miles per hour.

May 8 - The New York Times

Emily Badger tracks the hacking phenomenon as it migrates from the virtual to the physical world, and the official channels that are embracing and facilitating its emergence.

May 8 - The Atlantic Cities

Mark Wilson profiles Google Maps' new feature - Photo Tours - which combs the Internet to provide 3-D tours of popular locations around the world.

May 8 - Fast Company Co:Design

In an essay for The Wall Street Journal, economics author Daniel Gross explores how he believes America's transition from an Ownership Society to a Rentership Society will unleash a wave of economic efficiency to fuel the next boom.

May 7 - The Wall Street Journal

As Cincinnati embarks on an effort to rewrite its building regulations, city leaders hope a form-based code will provide the tools necessary to revitalize its neighborhoods, writes Carrie Whitaker.

May 7 - Cincinnati.com

In a city that survived the recession better than most, efforts to meet the demand for upscale housing will "change the face of the city for decades to come," reports Annys Shin.

May 7 - The Washington Post

Sarah Goodyear reports on a new study that illustrates the disastrous effect that commuting by car has on children's connection to their neighborhoods.

May 7 - The Atlantic Cities

Kaid Benfield looks at a groundbreaking new report compiled by Reconnecting America and the equity coalition Mile High Connects, that suggests how the expansion of Denver's transit system could reach traditionally underserved populations.

May 7 - Switchboard

It seems fitting that South Korea, home to one of the most advanced mobile cultures in the world, may get its own "hashtag"-like tower, if Bjarke Ingels has his way.

May 7 - Architizer

An unprecedented 35 percent transit service reduction scheduled to commence on September 2 has united Pittsburgh lawmakers, business owners, and medical professionals in opposition, reports Jon Schmit.

May 7 - Pittsburgh Post-Gazette

In a pictorial essay, Mark Byrnes chronicles the uneven legacy of 50 years of pedestrian malls, and the uncertain future for a redevelopment tool that has been derided in some cities and celebrated in others.

May 7 - The Atlantic Cities

As a number of luxury high-rise condo buildings struggle to sell their units, Alexei Barrionuevo looks at the difficulty of selling a high-density lifestyle in a city "where the seriously wealthy overwhelmingly prefer living in extravagant estates."

May 7 - The New York Times