The Daily Source of Urban Planning News
The Last Ten Years in Architecture
<em>Treehugger</em>'s Lloyd Alter takes a look back at the last ten years of architecture and finds some progressive trends and positive signs for the future.
Water Standards Out of Touch With Reality
American drinking water meets federal safety standards, but some say it's only because those standards are far too low and don't accurately reflect the potential for contamination.
BLOG POST
My Interview Published in the Federal Reserve Bank of Cleveland's New Forefront Magazine
<p> I apologize for self-promotion but you have to admit that parts of this interview posted here at <a href="http://www.clevelandfed.org/Forefront/2009/12/ff_20091216_07.cfm">http://www.clevelandfed.org/Forefront/2009/12/ff_20091216_07.cfm</a> are funny and mildly thought provoking! This interview focuses on the causes and consequences of "green cities". </p> <p class="interview_q"> Here is an excerpt: </p> <p class="interview_q"> Richter: On your blog, you noted that you can buy 100 homes in Detroit for the price of one in Westwood [where UCLA is located]. Is that a good deal? </p>
Five Advances in City Networks Coming Soon
Adam Christensen of IBM's Smarter Planet blog predicts five ways that cities are going to become smarter by networking their environment.
Civic Engagement Low in Arizona
A new study finds that while Arizona residents like where they live, they have low levels of civic engagement.
Vast Changes Along the Mekong River
Dam and development projects are in the works along the Mekong River, which runs through six Asian countries. Some say the river and the economies that rely on it are being threatened.
Filling in the City
As climate talks start and stop in Copenhagen, Anthony Flint argues for local action by affecting the built environment. He calls for more infill redevelopment, saying "we need more city".
Perpetual Energy From Magnets
Steorn, an Irish company that claimed six years ago to have invented an engine that puts out more energy than it uses, finally presents a model of the technology for the public to see.
Sin Keeps Development Away, Preserves Nature
The former site of the Mustang Ranch turns out to be an important piece of a floodplain restoration project in Nevada, and was inadvertently preserved because of the presence of the famous brothel.
Buffalo's 'Preservation By Neglect'
Buffalo, New York has managed to preserve most of its historic buildings due to a lack of economic drive to replace them. Now that Buffalo is doing better, preservationists are hoping to use those assets for revitalization.
'Urban Planning is Dead in the U.S.,' Says Gehry
In this interview, Frank Gehry defends his record and balks at being called a "starchitect."
Streetcars Return to Vancouver
Vancouver, B.C. will launch its first new streetcar in 65 years next month. TheTransitFan got a sneak preview.
Most Polluted City in the World
The World Bank named Linfen, China the most polluted city in the world a couple of years ago. Since then, the government claims to have made significant strides, but a thick smog still blankets the town.
BLOG POST
Fun With Research: Higher Fuel Prices Increase Economic Productivity
<p> <span style="font-family: Calibri"><span style="font-size: small">Last week I posted a blog, “</span><span style="font-size: 7.5pt; line-height: 115%"><a href="/node/42026"><strong>Win-Win Transportation Emission Reduction Strategies: Good News for Copenhagen</strong></a>”</span><span><span style="font-size: small"> which described emission reduction strategies that also help achieve economic and social objectives. I’ve continued doing research on the subject and made some additonal discoveries that I can report on now.</span></span></span> </p>
Street Views as Art
Montreal artist Jon Raufman uses Google Street Views as his raw material, finding images that capture unintentional moments, like a house on fire or a nude bather.
Libeskind Says Downturn is Right Time for Mega Projects
Architect Daniel Libeskind, designer of part of the new Las Vegas megaproject CityCenter, says now is the right time to be building big and bold projects.
Rebound Cities Offer Lessons for Detroit
This piece from <em>The New Republic</em> looks at the "urban disaster" of Detroit and compares it to other cities that have come on tough times in the past. Cities like Belfast and Turin offer examples of how Detroit can come back from the dead.
FEATURE
Newburg: Embracing Density at the Urban Fringe
The U.S. needs a new model for denser living, says John Stillich of the Sustainable Urban Development Association. 'Newburg' is SUDA's proposed solution to the problem.
Some Silver Lining to Urban Renewal
Barry Johnson of The Oregonian looks back at Portland's urban renewal program, what was lost in the demolition of neighborhoods and what was gained.
BLOG POST
The New 'Urban Community' On The Las Vegas Strip
<p> Hey, Las Vegas. Good to see you! Tough break about all those foreclosures... But, hey, I hear you've got a new mega project opening up. That's cool! I bet those other broke cities are super jealous. Yeah, this new project's gonna bring you back to glory, eh? Oh, what's that? What did you just call it? CityCenter? The Capital of the New World? An urban community? <br /> <br /> Let me stop you right there.<br />
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.
