The Daily Source of Urban Planning News
The Absurdity of Stationary Bikes
Cong. Earl Blumenauer, speaking at an event with David Byrne and Janette Sadik-Khan, points out the absurdity of people driving to gyms to hop on stationary bikes. Lack of bicycle infrastructure is to blame, he says.
UK Camera Count Triples in 10 Years
The amount of closed-circuit security cameras operated by local councils in the United Kingdom has nearly tripled over the past 10 years, according to a new report.
San Francisco Claims Treasure Island
The City of San Francisco has secured a deal with the U.S. Navy to purchase Treasure Island, a man-made island in the middle of San Francisco Bay. The city has broad plans to redevelop the site.
Digital Surfaces Pose Opportunities and Challenges
Through advancements in technology, digital facades are becoming significantly easier to implement on a wide variety of architectural projects. Programmable surfaces maybe a big part of the future of buildings.
Happiness More About Schools and Climate Than Family and Friends
A new survey reveals that people feel external factors like weather and stable jobs have more of an effect on their happiness than more personal factors like religion and family.
People Don't Want Density, Says Duany
In an interview with Builder Magazine, Andrés Duany says that citizen participation in one of the biggest roadblocks to smart growth, because people don't understand the benefits yet.
More Bang For Your Buck From Transit Spending Over Highways
A new study shows that stimulus funds spent on public transportation were a more effective job creator than stimulus funds spent on highways.
So Cal's Infrastructure A Mess, Says New Report
A new report from The Road Information Program, a D.C.-area nonprofit, documents the growing number of highway, bridge and transit systems in need of repair in Southern California and lacking the necessary funding.
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.
One Hundred Miles
County of Mendocino
planning NEXT
The Architects Foundation
University of Cincinnati Online
Montrose County
Northern Illinois Transit Authority (NITA)
The Pocatello Development Authority
FREE Course: Walkable City 1: Why Walkability?
After describing his path towards focusing on walkability as the essence of good planning, Jeff Speck marches through his five principal reasons for making more walkable places.
Reinventing Malls: Planning Alchemy—Turning Gray Fields Into Gold
The course focuses on the opportunities and imperatives that shape reinvention of mall sites.
