The Daily Source of Urban Planning News

Nobel laureate and new Energy Secretary Dr. Steven Chu is interviewed on what it will take to solve the climate change crisis - three major technological improvements plus carbon pricing. While no fan of coal, he acknowledges improvements are needed.

February 16 - The New York Times

If the list provided by Business Week is accurate, the Stimulus package includes many tens of billions of dollars for investments in sustainable energy and energy efficiency, infrastructure, rapid transit and the environment.

February 16 - Business Week

Manners Mall in Wellington, NZ, has been closed to all vehicles since the seventies. The City Council wants to restore buses through the walkway to improve service.

February 16 - The Dominion Post

Violent activists threw gasoline bombs from the top of a building in Seoul, protesting forced evictions to make way for new development. Police stormed the building, and the resulting fire killed six.

February 16 - The Los Angeles Times

Cellulosic ethanol - biofuel produced from non-edible plant material - has been 'five years out' for a long time. Obstacles remain to mass production, but a handful of producers are up and running.

February 16 - The Christian Science Monitor

David Axelrod, senior White House aide to President Obama, announced this morning that the President is about to present a new plan for to halt foreclosures and stop falling real estate prices.

February 15 - The Wall St. Journal

The 700,000k sq ft Oberoi Mall in Mumbai is an enclosed shopping center that also meets the street on the outside.

February 15 - Shopping Centers Today

The downturn in the housing market has led to a lot of misconceptions about housing. This piece from <em>The Tyee</em> identifies five myths about affordable housing.

February 15 - The Tyee

President Barack Obama is seeking greater control over the 2010 Census. This opinion piece from <em>The Wall Street Journal</em> looks at what it could mean for the upcoming count.

February 15 - The Wall Street Journal

The border between the U.S. and Mexico is being built into 700 miles of wall in Texas. Architect Lance Hosey looks at the environmental, ecological and sociological problems it creates.

February 15 - Architect Magazine

That's the grade given by the American Society of Civil Engineers, in their 2009 Report Card on America's Infrastructure. This editorial argues argues that stimulus funding won't be enough to fix it.

February 14 - Mlive.com

The housing market is struggling big time. Author Bill Morrish argues that salvation could be found in an unsuspected urban form: the trailer park.

February 14 - MinnPost

The new budget for the State of California cuts $536 million from transit operations. Says Joshua Shaw, executive director of the California Transit Association, 'We will see fare increases. We will see service cuts. We will see layoffs.'

February 14 - Streetsblog

This point-counterpoint from <em>Building Design</em> debates whether the British can design good public spaces.

February 14 - Building Design

A new book pulls back the glitz of Los Angeles and uncovers the complex infrastructure of the region.

February 14 - The Los Angeles Times

A special transit pass meant to promote the annual Philadelphia Beer Week accidentally used the Manhattan skyline in the background.

February 13 - USA Today

Republican Senator Tom Coburn of Oklahoma pasted an amendment into the stimulus package banning it from funding museums, arts centers, theaters, stadiums, parks, casinos or golf courses. James S. Russell says, 'starving the arts is suicidal.'

February 13 - Bloomberg.com

Target Field is the forthcoming ballpark for the Minnesota Twins, and the team and their sponsor recently unveiled their plans for the public space in front of the park. Designs include 40 ft. topiary and a giant bronze glove.

February 13 - Minneapolis Post

In this thorough piece from <em>The Atlantic</em>, Richard Florida looks at the economic crisis facing the world, how it's affecting cities and regions, and how it will have a lasting effect on the U.S. -- in both good and bad ways.

February 13 - The Atlantic

Daniel Sperling, author of "Two Billion Cars: Driving Toward Sustainability" talks to Jon Stewart about the future of plug-in hybrid, fuel cell and electric vehicles.

February 13 - The Daily Show