The Daily Source of Urban Planning News
Japan's Transit-Oriented Graveyards
Japan is running out of places to store the remains of its dead, so what better place than in the city, near transit stations in high-tech, high-rise facilities?
'Local' is the New 'Green'
Global corporations like Frito Lay and Barnes and Noble are attempting to co-opt the word 'local' into their branding.
Not a Drop to Drink
Lima's poorest residents are using nets to capture the moisture from the fog that shrouds the city. They don't have access to running water and often pay a high price to get it.
Stretching Architectural Boundaries
Huffington Post highlights 11 astonishing architectural proposals from around the world [slideshow].
If Only Dallas Had Streetcars
Clayton McCleskey makes the case for why Dallas ought to be a little more like Zurich.
PAYD FAIL
California has finally begun to encourage insurance companies to offer "pay as you drive" (PAYD) insurance policies. The Natural Resources Defense Council says it's a half baked policy.
Transit Cheats Plague San Francisco's MUNI
Ever wonder how many people hop on those cable-cars in San Fran without paying the fare? Well, it turns out that transit cheats cost MUNI, San Francisco's transit agency, an estimated, $19 million a year.
Foreclosed Homeowners Turning to Homeless Shelters
A new report shows a dramatic trend in homelessness: increasing numbers of former homeowners left with nowhere to live after foreclosure are turning to homeless shelters.
Good Parks Make Good Cities
That's Lynden Miller's motto, an artist and garden designer with a new book, <em>Parks, Plants, and People: Beautifying the Urban Landscape.</em> The Wall St. Journal has a profile.
Make Small Plans
In contrast to the classic Burnham plea, Andrew M. Manshel says that planning big often misses the essential nature of the urban experience.
The Complex Legacy of Julius Shulman
With a recent documentary, Julius Shulman is back in the spotlight. But the uncritical view of Shulman's legacy leaves a lot out, says Christopher Hawthorne.
Academia and Activism
A profile of Alvaro Huerta, the son of Mexican immigrants who is combining his urban planning studies with social activism.
New Topographics
A photography show in 1975 is credited with changing the way artists looked at landscape, shifting towards looking at the built environment with a less romantic viewpoint. The original show is back on tour and opens at the LA County Museum of Art.
A Call for More Docks on the Hudson
Cities along the Hudson River in New York are pushing plans to build more docks along the waterfront.
Environmental Concerns Slow Solar in California
The White House is pushing for more solar power projects nationwide, but environmental concerns are stalling the progress of plans to build solar projects in the California desert.
Residents of Landmark TOD Still Driving
While more residents walk or bike for nonwork trips, Orenco Station residents are still driving to work at a rate comparable to other area suburbs.
Recession Changing Geography of Poverty
New data from the U.S. Census Bureau reveals that the first year of the recession has taken a harsh toll and that these impacts are being particularly felt in three key regions in the country.
Car Culture Challenged by "Pedal Power"
This Canadian documentary explores the emerging revolution in human powered transportation [Video].
BLOG POST
Open Data: Coming to a City Near You?
<p> City data catalogs are fast moving from the exception to the norm for large U.S. cities.<br /> <br /> Washington, DC's <a href="http://data.octo.dc.gov/">Data Catalog</a>, spearheaded by former CTO Vivek Kundra, was an early leader. The site combines hundreds of static government-created datasets from across DC government with administrative feeds like the city's 311 system. Their site emphasizes providing data in multiple formats, including where possible formats that don't require proprietary software. Kundra's selection as the nation's first Chief Information Officer, and launch of the federal government's <a href="http://www.Data.gov">Data.gov</a> has elevated the principle among the federal government's vast datasets. DC's two "apps" contests sought to encourage creative uses of the data made available, and some of which are available at the <a href="http://apps.dc.gov/">DC App Store</a>.<br /> <br /> Beyond DC, many big cities have recently launched or are planning open data catalogs of their own.<br />
An Ecotopia in Colombia
A small village founded in Colombia in the 1960s as an experiment in sustainable agriculture is still thriving. Experts like Amory Lovins are paying Gaviotas a visit to learn their secrets.
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.
