The Daily Source of Urban Planning News
Is 'Parametricism' the Sustainable Style of the Future?
Patrik Schumacher of Zaha Hadid Architects argues that the unified style of architecture for the 21st century will be 'parametricism'.
Baking in Public, at the Community Oven
A growing grassroots effort for community-building is to build brick ovens in vacant lots to encourage gatherings. Kyla Fullenwider of GOOD gives step-by-step instructions for putting one in your neighborhood.
City Planners Caught in Porn Scandal
Three planners and the zoning administrator in San Francisco's Planning Department are accused of circulating raunchy emails around the office and are at risk of losing their jobs.
Learning From Cleveland's Healthline BRT
With a plan to distribute $775 million in federal funding for urban bus projects, <em>Next American City</em>'s Yonah Freemark suggests using it to fund projects like Cleveland's Healthline BRT.
Free Parking in Atlanta, To Punish Privatized Meter Readers
The Atlanta City Council voted unanimously to approve a 30-day moratorium on enforcing the city's privately managed parking meters.
Security Cameras to Invade Manhattan
In the wake of an attempted car bombing in New York City's Times Square, officials are calling for the expanded use of security cameras throughout Manhattan.
Saving Sidewalks With Root Barriers
Everyone wants street trees, but roots can tear up sidewalks and cause pedestrians to trip. John Olson has the infrastructure solution.
Vancouver Considers $25 Million Investment in Bike Lanes
The city of Vancouver is looking to expand its bike network with the proposal of a $25 million investment in bicycle infrastructure over the next two years.
Buffalo to Get Form-Based Code
The Buffalo News praises efforts by Mayor Byron W. Brown to completely rewrite the city's 59-year-old zoning code. The Mayor's initiative, dubbed the Buffalo Green Code, would place a new emphasis on sustainability and walkable neighborhoods.
Planning for Development Around Boston's Rose Kennedy Greenway
The Boston Redevelopment Authority is looking to inject some life back into the area surrounding the relatively empty park atop the city's infamous Big Dig.
Call Yourself "Green"? Then Stop Driving!
In the wake of the Gulf of Mexico oil catastrophe, Geography professor Jason Henderson calls out "green" liberals who insist on driving.
How Filming Rules Remade New York City
This post from <em>Places</em> looks at how former New York City Mayor John V. Lindsay's embrace of the film industry helped transform the city.
FEATURE
The Periodic Table of City Planning Elements
Break out the Bunsen burner: Ric Stephens has broken down the science of city planning into this handy chart of elements.
BLOG POST
A Blunt Tool
<p class="ecxMsoNormal"> How can one measure the housing affordability of a city or region?<span> </span>One common option is to focus on a region’s median home price (or the median home price divided by median income).<span> </span>I’ve used this method myself, and regional medians will often be the best tool available. </p> <p class="ecxMsoNormal"> But sometimes, this method leads to absurd results.<span> </span>For example, the median home price for metropolitan Atlanta is $150,000, which makes Atlanta seem like a remarkably affordable housing market.(1) </p>
Town by Tesco™
While developers in the U.K. have fallen prey to the recession, Tesco supermarkets have been extremely successful. Now the company is planning several new developments of their own with homes and shops centered around the grocery store.
Parks Are Sprawl-Preventers
Kathryn Gustafson of the firm Gustafson Guthrie Nichol says that urban parks are an antidote to sprawl because they give city dwellers the room to breathe that often drives them to the suburbs.
Jane Jacobs Missed the Mark on Density
Jane Jacobs is probably the most well-regarded writer on urban issues in American history. But, as economist Edward L. Glaeser argues, her stance on urban density is a little bit off-target.
Un-Eminent Domain Effort Fails
The city of Dublin, Ohio, is trying to un-eminent domain some land it acquired from a local landowner. The project it had seized the land for has since fallen apart, and the city now wants its $5 million payoff back.
The Rise of the Form-Based Code
There are nearly 300 form-based codes either enacted or in development across North America. <em>New Urban News</em> takes a look at the rising trend.
BLOG POST
We're in Deepwater
<p class="MsoNormal"> <span><!--[if !supportEmptyParas]--> <!--[endif]--></span> </p> <p class="MsoNormal"> <span>What began on April 20<sup>th</sup> as a <a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Deepwater_Horizon_drilling_rig_explosion">tragic industrial accident that claimed 11 lives</a> is turning into an unprecedented ecological disaster. </span> </p>
Heyer Gruel & Associates PA
City of Clovis
City of Camden Redevelopment Agency
City of Astoria
Transportation Research & Education Center (TREC) at Portland State University
Regional Transportation Commission of Southern Nevada
Salt Lake City
NYU Wagner Graduate School of Public Service
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.
