The Daily Source of Urban Planning News

An architecture student's entry in a design contest sponsored by BMW proposes a new form of living space, utilizing new synthetic skins to build flexible living areas.

February 23 - The Boston Globe

Wired Magazine figures out what the planning world already knows- that there is a need to shift planning policies away from auto-oriented development and towards the pedestrian.

February 23 - Wired

Twice in the last month, planning expert Bill Fulton has ridden public transit to and from large public events. In both cases, transit was far more effective than driving.

February 23 - California Planning & Development Report

The recession and the end of the age of fast-growth will be a good thing for Toronto, argues Christopher Hume.

February 23 - The Toronto Star

As the economy dives and housing values plummet, revenue from property taxes is expected to fall over the next few years, making things tough for many cities.

February 23 - Governing

This info-graphic from <em>Good</em> compares subways an rapid transit rail systems from around the world, by track miles and ridership.

February 23 - Good

With few options besides sending food scraps to landfills, New Yorkers are composting in their homes.

February 23 - The New York Times

Word from Pittsburgh that malls in the greater metro area are failing, from Frazer to Monroeville to West Mifflin.

February 23 - The Pittsburgh Post Gazette

A new study of Los Angeles Business Improvement Districts shows that private security provided by BIDs has reduced crime in these areas more than in the rest of the city.

February 23 - Los Angeles Times

FEATURE

February 23 - Dave Olsen

BLOG POST

<p> From the first day of the semester, I could tell my Urban Design Methods course was going to be different from the others I&#39;ve taken in planning school so far. </p> <p> “Call me at home. I’m up till midnight,” the professor told us. <em>I’m</em> not up till midnight. </p> <p> He asks us questions like, “What is your design identity?” “What three adjectives describe you as a designer?” “Who <em>are</em> you?” It makes grad school feel kind of like therapy. Really, really expensive therapy. </p>

February 22 - Jeffrey Barg

President Obama warns America's mayors not to spend the stimulus dollars carelessly or on politically-motivated projects. [Includes video]

February 22 - Huffington Post

BLOG POST

There&#39;s no shortage of writing and conjecture on New York City when it comes to urban and city issues. But one subject that has been neglected in the urban academic discourse is the city&#39;s incredible concentration of beautiful women.<br /> <br /> It&#39;s amazing. It&#39;s like you can&#39;t avoid them, not that you&#39;d want to. Walking down the street in New York City is like walking down a fashion runway. With cross traffic. And no security guards trying to tackle you.<br />

February 22 - Nate Berg

Amid talk by Transportation Secretary Ray LaHood of converting the gas tax into a vehicle miles traveled tax, White House Press Secretary Robert Gibbs stated that the plan "will not be the policy of the Obama administration."

February 22 - Newsday

The world is facing a water crisis, and existing development and management practices are only making it worse. This interview with water expert Peter Gleick looks at what's being done wrong and how it can be done right.

February 22 - The Nation

In an effort to get a more precise look at the city and its distinct neighborhoods, the <em>Los Angeles Times</em> is starting a collaborative mapping project to set clear and adaptable boundaries for L.A.'s neighborhoods.

February 22 - Los Angeles Times

Forbes releases its first ever list of "America's Fastest-Changing Cities", documenting the cities that have undergone the most drastic economic shifts.

February 22 - Forbes

The Las Vegas Weekly pulls together a panel of the city's leading urban thinkers to discuss the future of development in Las Vegas, now that the downturn has brought many projects to a standstill.

February 21 - Las Vegas Weekly

In 2006, the Los Angeles Planning Dept. launched an urban design studio to turn Los Angeles into a more pedestrian-friendly city. The studio has gone on to create a set of walkability guidelines, and has more ambitious goals ahead.

February 21 - The Architect's Newspaper

Over half of the land in the American West is publicly owned. Policy over the last century has tended towards allowing the extraction of natural resources, but it may be time for a shift into preservation.

February 21 - The Christian Science Monitor