The Daily Source of Urban Planning News

Do Rainforests Grow on Money?

In an effort to halt the destruction of rainforests, increasing amounts of money are being offered to countries for preservation efforts. But some wonder whether throwing money at the problem will yield a solution.

December 11 - Der Spiegel

The Rise And Fall of Cities

Victor David Hanson uses a broad historical perspective to examine the causes of the rise and fall of former world cities. He argues that the computer driven, global age will accelerate the process of growth and decline.

December 11 - City Journal

Transportation Solutions Illustrated

This article from <em>OnEarth</em> magazine looks at ideas for improving transportation in the United States, and offers some illustrations to help explain.

December 11 - OnEarth

HUD With an Emphasis on the 'UD'

The federal government is attempting to pay closer attention to urban issues, and its Department of Housing and Urban Development is leading the way.

December 10 - Next American City

LA Finally Approves Dedicated Bus Lanes Along Wilshire Boulevard

The Los Angeles Metropolitan Transportation Authority finally approved the construction of 7.7 miles of bus lanes along Wilshire Boulevard, with the exception of a one mile stretch in Westwood known as 'Condo Canyon.'

December 10 - The Los Angeles Times


Bing on Detroit, 18 Months into Office

Detroit Mayor Dave Bing has been in office for a year and a half. Some progress in the troubled city has been made, but much work remains, as is revealed in this interview.

December 10 - The Detroit Free Press

New Study Builds Case for Pay-As-You-Drive Auto Insurance

The more you drive, says a new study, the more you are at risk of getting in an accident. So if how much one pays for car insurance was linked to mileage, there would be a significant reduction in driving - and fender benders.

December 10 - Pay-As-You-Drive Auto Insurance In Massachusetts: A Risk Assessment And Report On Consumer


LaHood Announces New HSR Winners & Losers

The loser list is short and no surprise: The governor-elects of OH and WI had campaigned against HSR projects in their states-they got their wish. The recipients of the redirected $1.2 billion were the surprise,with CA, FL, and WA being the happiest.

December 10 - U.S. D.O.T. Press Release

Predictions for California Planning in 2011

Paul Shigley of the <em>California Planning and Development Report</em> offers three predictions on what the state can expect to see in 2011 in terms of urban planning and development.

December 10 - California Planning and Development Report

BLOG POST

US Planning Isolationism

<p> Recently, the new <a href="http://www.planning.org/japa/" target="_blank" title="JAPA">Journal of the American Planning Association</a> editor Randall Crane circulated a message to US planning academics in which he asked for new submissions: </p> <p> <span style="font-size: 12pt; font-family: 'Times New Roman','serif'">&quot;A reminder that JAPA is interested in your best work in any aspect of planning scholarship -- quantitative or qualitative, foreign or domestic -- that informs practice.  We would particularly like to broaden subject content over the next few years.&quot;  </span> </p> <p class="MsoNormal"> Temple Uni urban studies prof Ben Kohl replied: &quot;For years I have wished that JAPA would show some interest in the lessons that ‘foreign’ planners and planning experience might have to offer.

December 10 - Bruce Stiftel

Waterfront Redevelopment Hinges on Theater Expansion

A new expansion to a theater in Washington D.C. is seen as the centerpiece of a massive neighborhood revitalization effort.

December 10 - The Wall Street Journal

A Photographic Tour of a Foreclosure Hotbed

Modesto, California has one of the highest rates of foreclosure in the U.S. This collection of photography documents the city's abandoned homes.

December 10 - Telstar Logistics

Fort Worth Kills Streetcar Plan

City officials in Fort Worth, Texas, have backed out of plans to build a streetcar downtown.

December 10 - Fort Worth Star-Telegram

Coastal Communities Swallowed

Thousands of Louisiana residents are being forced to retreat from their rapidly disappearing coastal communities.

December 10 - OnEarth

Calthorpe's Saltworks: Is it Smart Growth?

The Redwood City Saltworks development designed by Peter Calthorpe has taken a lot of flack from environmentalists -- and rightfully so, says John Parman, in particular for its susceptibility to potentially rising bay waters from global warming.

December 9 - The Architect's Newspaper

Linking Infrastructure and Environmental Concerns

In a part of Staten Island largely developed before formal sewer systems were in place, the effort to address both logistics and environmental issues offers lessons for other urban areas.

December 9 - Urban Omnibus

Opening Government Easier Said Than Done

Federal government entities are supposed to be "opening" their data, publishing it online for any and all to see. While the goal is good, the reality of meeting the requirement is creating problems.

December 9 - Next American City

Adios Automobile!

TheCityFix looks at the future of the automobile in cities and the possibilities of moving people in to alternative modes in times when car ownership rates are still exploding.

December 9 - TheCityFix

FEATURE

Cycling Super Highways

Rachel Smith of AECOM says that seven-meter wide cycling "super highways" are the X-factor to transform our cities, our lifestyles and our health and revolutionize the way we travel.

December 9 - Rachel Smith

New Prospect Park West Bike Lane Increases Road Capacity

New data show that a controversial bike lane in Brooklyn has allowed more people to use the street to get to work despite taking away one motor vehicle lane. And while dangerous speeding is down, so are travel times.

December 9 - Streetsblog

Post News

Top Books

An annual review of books related to planning.

Top Schools

The definitive ranking of graduate planning programs.

100 Most Influential Urbanists

The who's who of urbanism, according to Planetizen readers.

Urban Planning Creators You Should Know

A short list of voices on social, video, and podcasting platforms.

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.