The Daily Source of Urban Planning News

Redevelopment agency officials throughout California are moving rapidly to prevent a threatened takeover by the state (to reduce deficit) by signing deals on projects potentially prematurely. LA just turned $1 billion in 275 projects to the city.

January 20 - Los Angeles Times

Work begins at the Union Depot, restoring the historic building into a transportation hub for light rail, buses, taxis and bikes and pedestrians.

January 20 - Star Tribune

While the company town model hasn't been taken seriously in the West in decades, they're cropping up today in countries like China and India.

January 20 - The Economist

Arlington, Virginia is using housing and redevelopment to repair the superblock-dominated street grid of Crystal City.

January 20 - Under One Roof

A recently released report reveals that intercity bus travel has reversed a decades-long trend of decreased use and shows that the industry is growing at double the rate than air travel, reports Jonna McKone of TheCityFix.

January 19 - TheCityFix

In Providence, Rhode Island, a team of young developers are breathing new life into an old factory complex. But it's not your typical condo conversion.

January 19 - Metropolis

A new report from the Political Economy Research Institute says that bike and pedestrian projects create 11 to 14 jobs per million dollars spent, while road construction only creates 7 per million.

January 19 - TheCityFix

The industrialization of Hong Kong created hundreds of abandoned villages on the outskirts of the city. Today, these rural villages struggle to rejuvenate their economies and preserve their traditions.

January 19 - The New York Times

While Gov. Walker's rejection of $810 million of federal stimulus funds for the Milwaukee-Madison rail upgrade has received much publicity, he has not ruled out using funds to upgrade the existing Milwaukee-Chicago Hiawatha Line pushed by businesses.

January 19 - Milwaukee Journal-Sentinel.

Three California schools are seeking to quantify the effects of efficiency-conscious driving in a study to establish a baseline for drivers' behavior.

January 19 - TheCityFix

Officials in Ogden, Utah are considering a plan to launch an unmanned blimp to monitor the city from crime at night.

January 19 - Reuters

This piece from <em>Next American City</em> looks at plans to dramatically rework streetscapes in Boston, and cheers the effort.

January 19 - Next American City

As states return money aimed at high speed rail projects, officials from North Carolina are hoping to scramble up some of this newly available funding to augment existing projects.

January 19 - News and Observer

An art competition in Salt Lake City has resulted in a new installation to be built in one of the city's vacant lots.

January 19 - The Salt Lake Tribune

Writing for <em>Metropolis</em>, Karrie Jacobs bemoans America's slow pace of growth in transportation infrastructure, and blasts efforts as being too "incremental".

January 18 - Metropolis

With political pressure from both sides of the aisle palpable, Gov. Christie discusses how he analyzed and justified the ARC tunnel's cancellation.

January 18 - The Wall Street Journal

No, this is not a video of Petula Clark, but do take her message to heart. Rats are not just on the subway tracks - occasionally they hop a ride too, so riders beware - stay awake! Caught on tape...

January 18 - NY1/You-Tube

The city of Detroit is considering a plan to close nearly half of its public schools and greatly increase its class sizes.

January 18 - The Detroit News

Rome has instituted a new tax on tourists aimed at building a fund to restore its crumbling infrastructure. But some worry it will drive tourists away.

January 18 - Der Spiegel

The City of New Orleans is about to undertake a massive reconstruction effort that will reshape and rebuild its entire school system.

January 18 - Metropolis