The Daily Source of Urban Planning News
In Reusing Infrastructure, D.C. Should Look to NYC
Columnist Roger K. Lewis says Washington D.C. has a lot to learn from New York City in terms of reusing old and outdated infrastructure.
Saudi Arabia Looks to Build Major Rail Hub in Capital
Officials in the Saudi capital of Riyadh are planning to build a central rail hub with an annual passenger capacity of more than 800,000. The station is expected to be complete by 2013.
Troubled Times for Philadelphia's Underfunded Parks
With one of Philadelphia's best-supported public parks in danger of losing the private funding that keeps it maintained, <em>Philadelphia Inquirer</em> architecture critic Inga Saffron looks at the sad state of the city's parks.
Americans Driving at 2005 Levels
Americans are driving fewer miles than they were a year ago, despite an improving economy. Some say the American demand for oil will be low throughout the rest of this year.
Denver's Form-Based Code Closer to Approval
Five years in the works, Denver's new zoning code has been introduced. The form-based code now faces a period of public input before its expected approval.
Charlotte's Light Rail Extension Faces Decade of Delay
Plans to expand Charlotte's CATS light rail system to a nearby university could be delayed by a decade or more.
Richard Florida Picks the Top Cities for College Graduates
Richard Florida and his team have ranked the Best Places for Recent College Grads using nine different indicators, including the number of singles, unemployment rate, rental housing stock, and of course, creative capital.
London Mayor Seeks to Downsize Congestion Charge Area
London Mayor Boris Johnson is proposing a plan to scrap the extension of the city's congestion charge in the west, instituted by his predecessor. Some say the city's air pollution and congestion improvements will be lost.
Development Proposed Near Wrigley Field Not As Bad As Feared
A proposed hotel, apartment and retail complex right across from Chicago's Wrigley Field has many in the city up in arms about what they fear will be just another shopping mall ruining the area's urban feel. But those fears are unfounded.
Funding for Washington DC H Street Streetcar Line Pulled at 11th Hour
The Washington DC City Council voted Wednesday to approve a FY2011 budget which strips nearly all the funding to complete the H Street-Benning Road streetcar line. The line is partially complete, and several streetcars have already been purchased.
City Makes Street Intervention Permanent
An activist project in Dallas, Texas turned an auto-oriented block into a pedestrian paradise, envisioning what could be with a little paint and fake lampposts. The city listened, and is now working to make the change permanent.
The Big Hair Express
As a stunt to attract more riders, the New Jersey Transit Authority is giving away tickets to see Bon Jovi live at the New Meadowlands Stadium, which is accessible by transit, of course.
Sesame Street = Bad Urbanism?
People always think that because he advocates for better public spaces and density that Bill Lindeke wants something like the closely-knit community of Sesame Street. Step back, says Lindeke.
Small Wind Turbines Making Big Inroads
A new report from the American Wind Energy Association (AWEA) says that the number of small wind turbines in the U.S. has grown considerably over the last year, adding 20 megawatts of production.
Pod Cars for Silicon Valley
San Jose is considering a personal rapid transit system for the airport, throwing $4 million at a feasibility study for the "pod cars."
The Data-Driven Key to Unlocking New York's Congestion
<em>Wired</em> profiles Charles Komanoff, who's hoping to use his immense spreadsheet of New York City traffic data to clear the city's congestion.
How Portland Sold Its Banks on Walkable Development
Finding financing is one of the biggest challenges for transit-oriented development. How did Portland convince its lenders to get on board?
New Urbanism, Cheap Money, and the Road Ahead
James Howard Kunstler uses his time at the Congress for the New Urbanism to reflect on the road the New Urbanists have taken, the opposition they've faced, and the bubble financing that made it all possible.
BLOG POST
Planning Papers and Reports: Some Tips for Students
<p class="MsoNormal"><span>For most planning programs in the U.S. this is the end of the semester. Having read literally hundreds of papers over the past few months I have reflected on the lessons of better papers for writing in planning.</span></p>
Caltrans
City of Fort Worth
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.
