The Daily Source of Urban Planning News
New Techniques for Preventing Levee Breaches
Breached levees are a major concern for riverside cities; New Orleans struggled with their disastrous results after Hurricane Katrina. While shoring and sandbagging have been relied upon in the past, new methods for stopping breaches are emerging.
A Bubble to Burst in China?
As housing costs rise in China, a TV soap opera about the housing hunt has become a runaway hit. And while many in the growing country are concerned about the high cost of housing, some economists fear a burst of the bubble.
Sub-Urban Planning
<em>Triple Canopy</em> translates a Chinese interview with Shu Yu, one of the world's foremost underground urban planners. He talks about the potential of underground space for urban habitation.
The New Bay Bridge, In-Depth
<em>SF Public Press</em> and <em>McSweeney's Panorama</em> newspaper bring a series of in-depth reports on the construction of the new Bay Bridge, focusing on why the project has become so expensive.
Improving L.A.'s Streets - With Photoshop
Blogger David Yoon takes photographs of Los Angeles streets and Photoshops them to be narrower, creating a fantasy L.A. that is more walkable and relatable.
Marin TOD Planning: Drop The 'D'
Marin County, long known for its environmental awareness, is concerned about anything that is "growth inducing", and that certainly includes the new SMART passenger rail system, approved by the voters in November, that will serve Sonoma and Marin.
Expanding Collaboration Beyond Designers
This essay from <em>Urban Omnibus</em> calls for greater collaboration in urban design -- both amongst designers and architects, and with the surrounding community.
Urban Data: The Second City
Looking at the city of Chicago and how it should approach the future, John Tolva writes about the potential for tapping into city data and embracing the "second city" it creates.
Ag Secretary Concerned Over Farms-to-Forests Conversion
Agriculture Secretary Tom Vilsack has ordered the revision of a forecasting model related to congressional climate legislation that makes the conversion of farmland to forests more lucrative than producing food.
A Farm Future for Detroit?
Agricultural investors are buying up abandoned and empty land in Detroit -- making a big wager on the future of the city as a farm town.
Biggest Infrastructure News of the Decade - Part Two
The Infrastructurist finishes its list of the top infrastructure stories from the past decade.
Employer-Based Trip Reduction Rule Adopted By California Air District
Air pollution rules recently passed in California seek to change the way workers get to their jobs. While solo commuters won't be forced out of their cars, businesses must choose from a selection of strategies aimed to do just that.
Denver Nudging Locals Towards Electric Cars
This piece from <em>Grist</em> looks at electric-vehicle infrastructure in Denver, which may be a model for other cities looking to encourage the purchase and use of electric vehicles.
Mapping Municipal Discrimination
GIS maps are being used to identify where communities need services -- and whether some communities are victims of municipal discrimination.
North Carolina Requests $5 Billion for High Speed Rail
North Carolina is throwing its hat into the high-speed rail funding ring, requesting $5 billion of the $8 billion in stimulus funds the federal government has pledged to high-speed rail projects. Environmental reviews are almost complete.
Ridership Rising on Canada Line
The new Canada Line rail service that links downtown Vancouver to the airport has seen steadily increasing ridership since its opening in August.
Fighting Drought in California
Three years into a statewide drought, California officials have taken drastic steps to reduce water use in cities and farms. <em>60 Minutes</em> looks at the drought and efforts to combat the water shortage.
Biggest Infrastructure News of the Decade
In the first of two installments, <em>The Infrastructurist</em> counts down the top ten infrastructure stories from the past decade.
Architect Tops List of Hardest-Hit Jobs
Architects and carpenters are among this list of the nine jobs hit hardest by the recession in 2009.
Metro Portland's Internal Growth Dilemma
The three counties in the Portland Metropolitan area are at odds about what parts of the region should and should not be protected by urban growth boundaries.
City of Camden Redevelopment Agency
City of Astoria
Transportation Research & Education Center (TREC) at Portland State University
Regional Transportation Commission of Southern Nevada
Toledo-Lucas County Plan Commissions
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.
