The Daily Source of Urban Planning News

Renewable Energy World reports that think tanks are making hug strides in the efficiency of solar panels.

June 11 - Renewable Energy World

A forest management company in Northern Idaho has set aside a 647-acre grizzly bear habitat. Part of the deal is that the company will not log while the grizzlies are in the house.

June 11 - Bonners Ferry Herald

Peter Vaernet, aka the "Mad Viking", transformed a pocket park known for drugs and violence into a safe, active place by bringing lots of women and children into the park.

June 11 - Boing Boing

PRAIRIEFORM argues that the central problem of modernist architecture is the way the buildings erase the sense of place inherent in the location where they are built.

June 11 - PRAIRIEFORM

Peter Harnik of the Trust for Public Land spoke recently about the challenges facing urban parks, and how they can be catalysts for revitalization and change when done correctly.

June 10 - ASLA's The Dirt blog

Traffic congestion marred the early year's of the annual music festival Bonnaroo in Tennessee. But now, advanced traffic planning has made the gridlock only a memory.

June 10 - The New York Times

Misleading flyers are being circulated to drum up opposition to a mixed-use, transit-oriented development in the East Falls Church area of Arlington, VA., says Michael Perkins. His answer to the flyer's question? Yes.

June 10 - Greater Greater Washington

A review of the new book, "Two Billion Cars: Driving Towards Sustainability," which argues that cleaner cars are the future of transportation and barely mentions bicycling, walking or transit.

June 10 - re:place Magazine

At first considered a long-shot, the idea being pushed by Los Angeles Mayor Antonio Villaraigosa to fast-track 30 years worth of transit projects into 10 is gaining support at the highest levels.

June 10 - Los Angeles Times

As it prepares to host the 2014 World Cup and the 2016 Olympics, there's room to grow in Brazil's architecture and design communities.

June 10 - Architect

In an effort to regain its stature as a center of culture, Cairo is looking at plans to re-integrate the pedestrian into its now car-dominated downtown.

June 10 - Egypt Today

New York State Assembly Member Sam Hoyt is sponsoring new legislation to bring state spending in line with smart growth planning principles.

June 10 - Streetsblog

Infrastructure for pedestrians and cyclists in Indian cities is glaringly absent, says Prof. Sudhir Chella Rajan. India needs to decide between an auto-oriented future like the U.S. or a European, pedestrian model.

June 10 - TheCityFix.com

FEATURE

June 10 - Steven Dale

<em>Fast Company</em> points to a project at the University of Cape Town which seeks to create 3-D renderings of Africa's endangered monuments and heritage sites.

June 10 - Fast Company

With a new rural planning policy, thousands of backlogged development applications, and severe job cuts, Northern Ireland's planning industry could be facing a grim future ahead.

June 10 - Inside Housing

Typically thought of as a war to protect small businesses in communities from being swallowed up by a giant, the local opposition to Wal-Mart stores is often funded secretly by other major grocery chains.

June 9 - The Wall Street Journal

Residents in Santa Clara, California have approved a measure that would direct $937 million in funding towards the creation of a stadium intended to lure the San Francisco 49ers football team.

June 9 - Sa Francisco Chronicle

A controversial plan being pushed by San Francisco Mayor Gavin Newsom to ban sitting or laying on public sidewalks during certain hours of the day has been voted down by supervisors.

June 9 - San Francisco Chronicle

Artist Natalie Jeremijenko's farming pods could be perched atop skylines in the future as a sustainable method of rooftop farming. They will grow fruits and vegetables in hydroponic chambers, allowing sunlight through a clear plastic skin.

June 9 - Fast Company