The Daily Source of Urban Planning News

As Los Angeles works to rein in billboard blight around the city, the Parks and Recreation Dept. comes out with a surprise request for permission to put up more off-site signage.

December 7 - Curbed

While the article is headlined "We Need More Zoning," the body is more about the need to plan public spaces well before architects and developers come in to guide their projects for the public good.

December 7 - The New York Observer

Canadian cities are increasingly investing in cultural centers in their downtowns in order to create attract people and spur investment.

December 7 - The Globe and Mail

A 2003 policy that mandated that subsidized developements grant jobs at living wages has not hampered development, according to one official.

December 7 - Capital New York

Urban areas have been historically shortchanged when drawing Congressional district lines, and some mayors are less than thrilled to see their municipalities "carved up." Michael Cooper reports.

December 7 - The New York Times

The EPA estimates the U.S. has $13 billion in wastewater infrastructure. Fast Company explains how innovations in wastewater management using natural processes will change everything.

December 6 - Fast Company

In Maryland, the Washingtonian Tower has been the tallest skyscraper in Montgomery County. Developers in White Flint are proposing an even taller building that will incorporate mixed-use, transit-oriented, and retail/office development in one plan.

December 6 - Greater Greater Washington

In Maryland, the Montgomery County Park and Planning Commision received a $200,000 grant to study moving its offices. The County Executive, Ike Leggett says "its the best way to kick-start the revitalization of downtown Wheaton."

December 6 - Greater Greater Washington

In declaring Fort Monroe in Hampton, Virginia a National Monument, President Obama circumvents Congressional approval - which would be required to make it a National Park.

December 6 - City Parks Blog

In Charlotte, N.C, planners are looking at ways to appeal to freight users. In addition to transit-oriented development, their plan is to allow freight trains to run on the same tracks as passenger trains promoting the use of the Red Line.

December 6 - the transport politic

According to the non-partisan, independent poll, 64% of respondents endorse placing the 2008, $9.95 billion bond measure back on the ballot to allow voters to choose to proceed with the train project now that costs have doubled; 59% would vote 'no'.

December 6 - San Francisco Chronicle

MSNBC gives the NYC Transportation Commissioner the kung fu-like title, as well as calling her "The High Priestess of People-Friendly Cities." [VIDEO]

December 6 - MSNBC

For the past 7 years, the people behind the TED conference have awarded a yearly $100,000 prize to an individual with "one wish to change the world." This year, they've skipped the individual and are going directly to the idea: The City 2.0.

December 6 - TED

As delegates from 191 nations gather in Durban, South Africa to tackle climate change, a new report shows the largest increase in carbon emissions, and the greatest percentage increase since 2003. Coal combustion accounts for more than half the gain.

December 6 - The New York Times - Environment

BLOG POST

<p> <span style="font-size: 10pt; font-family: 'Courier New'">Last week, at an event attended by over 300 Vancouverites, we announced the winners of our re:CONNECT Open Ideas Competition regarding the future of our Viaducts and Eastern Core. If you missed my past posts on the steps leading up to the big night, it might help to read <a href="/node/52012" target="_blank">here</a> and <strong><a href="/node/52571" target="_blank">here</a></strong> first. </span><span style="font-size: 10pt; font-family: 'Courier New'"> </span><span style="font-size: 10pt; font-family: 'Courier New'"> </span> </p>

December 5 - Brent Toderian

Despite depressed home prices around the U.S., Toronto's condo market is still so hot that the city government is considering getting a piece of the action.

December 5 - The Globe and Mail

While the news appeared positive in last week's jobs report, the public sector was significantly worse, with 20,000 government workers laid off in November alone.

December 5 - The New York Times

In this era of computer simulations, are models like the Bay Model (a giant replica of the San Francisco Bay previously used for research on estuary hydraulics and fluid dynamics) relevant? Janice Sinclaire says yes.

December 5 - Miller-McCune

Will Doig asks, "Are urban bicyclists just elite snobs?" Turns out the answer is, basically, no.

December 5 - Salon

Hal Johnson argues that the idea that it can be beneficial to a city or region to inspire the growth of industry clusters is still an effective way to go, and creating a sense of place to inspire clustering is essential.

December 5 - Area Development Online