The Daily Source of Urban Planning News
Exploring the Abandoned Metro of Paris
Urban explorer dsankt offers an in-depth look inside abandoned sections of the Metro system of Paris.
Hardly a Celebration
With a recent murder, a shootout-turned-suicide, and a high rate of foreclosure, the reality of Celebration, Florida, is less ideal than appearances would suggest.
Considering Bankruptcy in Michigan
The tiny city of Hamtramck, Michigan, is edging closer to bankruptcy, as budget woes grow.
Rio's New Citywide Control Room
IBM is partnering with the city of Rio de Janeiro to build a massive "citywide control room" to monitor and respond to emergencies.
The Federal Government's Green Building Megaproject
The federal government set aside $5.5 billion in stimulus funding to retrofit its huge fleet of buildings. $4.5 billion is to be spent on green building projects, some of which have already been launched.
Cities Too Dangerous for Kids? Maybe Not
Cities are commonly thought of as dangerous places for kids to grow up. But a new study challenges that perception.
Small-Scale Development in Detroit
Reviving a city like Detroit requires small steps, writes Roberta Brandes Gratz, who looks at block-level projects in the city.
The Holy Grail of Neighborhoods? Trader Joe's
Everyone wants the gourmet grocer in their community. The secret to getting one? Density, says David Alpert.
New Governor Moves Into Mixed-Use
California's Governor-elect Jerry Brown will be living part-time in the first modern mixed use project in Sacramento. Jerry's new neighborhood has a WalkScore of 95 and is walkable to the Capitol building.
Ohio Loses Significance
New Census numbers show that Ohio is now less than 4% of the total U.S. population, which hasn't been the case since the Census of 1810.
FEATURE
Book Review: Makeshift Metropolis
In this highly readable volume, Witold Rybczynski makes a fresh argument for rethinking the field of planning. Lynn Vande Stouwe has this review of one of our selections for the Top 10 Urban Planning Books for 2011.
Design Trend for 2011: The Village Vibe
Builder Magazine picks their 10 Residential Design Trends for 2011, which include smaller houses, green building, a farm-to-table influence in the kitchen, and a walkable, village feel.
The Conflicting Needs of Tourists and Residents
A new Independence Mall stands in the historic heart of Philadelphia, a decade after the old mall's demolition. According to <em>The Inquirer's</em> Inga Saffron, the new space has been a major boon for tourists but has alienated many city residents.
Historic Preservation in Syria
Over the last 50 years, preservation in Syria focused on restoring architecturally significant buildings, "sometimes destroyed the communities around them," writes Nicolai Ouroussoff. A plaza in Aleppo represents a change in strategy.
A Testing Ground for Affordable Housing Policy
Westchester County, a predominantly white and wealthy area of the New York City region, is trying out an array of techniques and zoning policies to ensure that its stock of affordable housing is dramatically increased in the coming years.
Still A Nonprofit, But No Longer Tax-Exempt
In an attempt to avoid new debt and decrease existing budget deficits, many cash-strapped cities and states are levying a host of new fees that don't provide exemption to nonprofits such as churches, schools, and charities.
The Social Benefits of Walkability
People who live in walkable neighborhoods watch less TV, participate in more local organizations, and trust their neighbors more according to a new report from the University of New Hampshire.
Beijing's Plan To Limit Traffic Antagonizes Auto Dealers
To reduce congestion, Beijing will follow in Shanghai's footsteps set 10 years ago by limiting new car registrations; only Beijing residents will be able to obtain one,and only vehicles with such plates will be allowed entrance to city center in 2011
The Challenge of Preserving Interiors
The New York City Landmarks Preservation Commission lists only 110 interiors worthy of preservation. This article in Metropolis says the challenge is the "temporal nature of interior spaces."
What Do Good Public Spaces Look Like?
Deborah Marton, Executive Director of the Design Trust for Public Space, asks, "Obviously public space should be beautiful and well designed for circulation, but what else should it do?"
Gallatin County Department of Planning & Community Development
Heyer Gruel & Associates PA
JM Goldson LLC
Mpact (founded as Rail~Volution)
City of Camden Redevelopment Agency
City of Astoria
Jefferson Parish Government
Camden Redevelopment Agency
City of Claremont
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.
