The Daily Source of Urban Planning News
Preserving Weeksville, The First Community of Free, Black Americans
Three buildings have survived from Weeksville, despite being located in bustling Brooklyn. A $32 million museum and community center will open next summer at the site.
Bicyclists Outpace Cars in Downtown, Says New Study
A new study of how people are using the French bikesharing system in Lyon provides ample data for American planners hoping implementing similar systems, and reveals that bicycles are faster and more effective than cars in dowtown commutes.
Midwest Industrial Cities Re-emerge as Clean Energy Centers
Utilizing skilled labor forces, existing manufacturing facilities and generous public incentives, Michigan and Ohio are becoming solar power leaders.
Major Riverfront Development Stymied in L.A.
After 25 years in conception and a recently renewed master planning effort, the 150-acre Piggyback Yards still awaits funding and approval from the city, reports The Architect's Newspaper.
Mass Transit on Track in Tehran
Over the past 30 years, the overgrown Iranian capital has arrived at unhealthy levels of air pollution and traffic congestion, but with the installation of a metro, BRT system, and bike rental program seems to be heading in a new direction.
Fixing Emptying Cities, auf Deutsch
Since reunification in 1989, many East German cities have been devastated by failing economies and population loss. The Germans, therefore, have a leg up on management strategies for failing cities. Doreen Ritzau takes a tour.
'Urbanism Is the Most Cost-Effective Solution to Climate Change,' says Calthorpe
Phil Langdon reviews Peter Calthorpe's latest, called 'Urbanism in the Age of Climate Change'. Langdon says it is "a densely packed, yet concise overview of the troubling situation we all find ourselves in."
More Pop-Up Cafés for N.Y.C.
The city's Department of Transportation recently announced plans to expand its successful Manhattan pilot program to all five boroughs.
BLOG POST
Why Hosting a World Cup Doesn't Matter for Cities, and How it Can
Two major international decisions are being made today: which countries will host the 2018 and 2022 World Cups. The selected hosts will undoubtedly celebrate their victories, and look forward to the soft and hard benefits of hosting this most watched of sporting events. The host countries should also take care to prepare for negative impacts – short- and long-term effects that play out in physical, social and economic ways. Who gets selected is surely important in some ways, but when considering these mega-events in terms of their potential impact on the places in which they're held, who hosts the World Cup doesn't really matter.
Can Portland Become a World-Class Cycling City?
Jay Walljasper writing in Yes! Magazine, reports on all the innovations that make Portland the premier cycling city in the U.S.
New Stadium Succeeds in Minneapolis
Brendan Patrick Hughes examines what other cities can learn from the recently constructed Target Field.
BLOG POST
Planning Education: How Important is Having a Good Teacher?
<p class="MsoNormal"> As students have been choosing classes over the last year, one question I’ve received is: how important is the teacher vs. the subject matter? In general, I argue, your own attitude is the most important factor in how well you learn. However, truly terrible teaching can make that more difficult and truly wonderful teaching can change your life for the better.</p>
The Smoggy Side of Cleveland
A new government-sponsored 'HazeCam' provides a running feed of downtown air pollution, with the aim of prompting local residents to reconsider their commuting habits.
Footing the Bill for the Cancelled ARC Project
And the tab is substantial: $271 million. NJ Gov. Christie, who killed the trans-Hudson, $9 billion rail tunnel for financial reasons, is now left owing funds for work completed that his state would not be liable for had he not canceled the project.
Building Bike Lanes to Lure the Creative Class
As the debate over new bike lanes pits New Yorkers against each other, people should refocus on the economic benefits the lanes can provide, argues Richard Florida.
Listening for Landslides
Researchers have developed a new technology to sense the acoustic conditions that indicate oncoming landslides.
Wasted Oil, By Design
This episode of public radio program <em>99% Invisible</em> looks at oil, and how the way people move from work to home has been seemingly designed to waste fuel.
D.C. Takes Long-Range Transit Planning Online
Washington D.C.'s Metro is expecting a major increase in ridership over the next 30 years. To try to meet that demand, they're recruiting ideas from the public with a new outreach effort.
Burning Man a Dome Zone, But Not Beyond
Buckminster Fuller's geodesic dome housing design is a popular form of housing at the temporary festival Burning Man. But why hasn't a good idea caught on in the mainstream?
planning NEXT
Appalachian Highlands Housing Partners
Mpact (founded as Rail~Volution)
City of Camden Redevelopment Agency
City of Astoria
City of Portland
City of Laramie
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.
