The Daily Source of Urban Planning News
Using Cartoons to Explain Smart Growth
Consider adding this animated video, which explains how past planning practices created sprawl and how smart growth policies can help solve multiple problems, to your family's Sunday morning cartoon rotation.
Bringing Value to Low-Cost Housing
Ron Nyren looks at 10 affordable housing developments across the world completed in the last five years that demonstrate good design and low-cost housing are not mutually exclusive.
The Segregating Effects of the Housing Bubble
Suzy Khimm reports on a new paper that demonstrates that, contrary to widely held beliefs, the country’s top metropolitan areas became <em>more</em> segregated from 1995 to 2006.
Communicating Character Through Streetcars
Mark Byrnes takes the global streetcar renaissance as an opportunity to reflect on how their design symbolizes a city's common interests and sense of itself.
Making Swimming Pools Accessible for All
Judy Woodruff reports on the Department of Justice decision requiring government and private building owners to alleviate architectural barriers that prevent persons with disabilities from taking full advantage of facilities' amenities.
Guinness Goes Green
In honor of St. Patrick's Day, Kaid Benfield profiles the sustainable practices of the most Irish of emblems, Guinness Beer.
Friday Funny: Accessorizing Your City's New Hot Ride
John Metcalfe has "designed" what he thinks could be the "Ultimate Municipal Supertruck of the Future."
Spreading the Word that New Orleans is Open for Business
Ariel Schwartz reports on NOLAbound, a week-long event meant to showcase the sustainable, entrepreneurial culture that has taken hold in New Orleans as it recovers from Hurricane Katrina.
On the Public Health Risks of Urbanization
Eric Jaffe looks at the findings of a recent article in the medical journal The Lancet, which predicts massive public health challenges in China resulting from the country's urban influx of migrant workers.
A Wrap Up and Look Ahead on Transportation Reauthorization
Yonah Freemark has authored a comprehensive examination of the policy and process behind the Senate transportation bill passed on Wednesday. But will it come to anything?
Top Emerging Art Scenes Unveiled
Earlier this month, <em>Good</em> asked its readers to submit picks for cities full of emerging talent and creativity. In this piece Colleen Wormsley compiles the results.
Are Satellite Cities the Smart Alternative to Urban Sprawl or Pie in the Sky?
Kai Laursen argues for satellite cities as a promising alternative to accommodate population growth, while preserving open space and farmland, and minimizing urban sprawl.
Navy Pier Design Team Picked
From amongst an international field of distinguished competitors, a 17-memeber team led by James Corner Field Operations has been selected to revamp the Chicago landmark's public spaces, reports Blair Kamin.
The Importance of Gateway Experiences to Punk Rock & Urbanism
Dan Reed cautions against an elitist aversion to sterile and inauthentic "town centers" – for all their supposed faults, they offer a stepping stone for the uninitiated masses to get interested in "true" urbanism.
Is Public Outreach Enough to Overhaul India's Slums?
Mukta Naik, a consulting planner with Indian housing firm micro Home Solutions, discovers that grand plans for a 'slum-free India' missed the mark on one key point: the lives of slum dwellers.
A Prelude to More Equal Road Rights for Bikers?
The bicycle rights movement is on the rise as two new California laws give bike riders more equality on the road, reports Eric Jaffe.
Non-Profit Housing Lender Gambled on Luxury Condos, Faltered
Once a bastion of rent-controlled housing for the poor and working class, a New York non-profit recently ousted its CEO following a string of risky real estate investments, Charles Bagli reports.
In Lean Times, Private Citizen Funds Public Infrastructure
Nate Berg reports on the efforts of one Bay Area business owner to get his city to upgrade its internet infrastructure by investing his own money.
Affordable Living Planned for Orenco Station
One of the country's most publicized New Urbanist developments is diversifying its housing stock, featuring some of the nation's first apartments to be built using Passive House standards, reports Casey Parks.
NASA Map of Forests Provides Lessons for Information Design
Tim Maly analyses a stunning high-resolution map of America’s forests for its lessons on the subtle choices that go into good visual information design for multiple audiences.
Borough of Carlisle
Smith Gee Studio
City of Camden Redevelopment Agency
City of Astoria
Transportation Research & Education Center (TREC) at Portland State University
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.
