The Daily Source of Urban Planning News
A Survey of American Drinking Fountains
Public drinking fountains are a useful if underappreciated urban amenity. <em>The New York Times</em> asked eight illustrators around the U.S. to watch one fountain in their cities and report back.
Recovery Through Self-Discovery
Some economists are starting to believe that the U.S. is on its way to economic recovery. But recovery from what, asks William Shutkin in this piece. He suggests the recovery should really be a discovery of better ways of developing and using land.
Highway Funding an Endless Source for Appalachian States
A seemingly never-ending incentive program for Appalachian states provides $4 dollars for every $1 dollar spent by the state on interstate highways.
Finding a Home for California's Renewable Energy Transmission Lines
A new report from an interdisciplinary group of officials and advocates outlines where new energy transmission lines are needed in California, where they should be sited, and how best the state can transition to a renewable energy future.
Expanding the El: $2 Billion for Chicago's Elevated Rail
On Weds., the Chicago Transit Authority approved plans to create three new rapid-transit extensions to the classic system.
Utah Edges Closer to First BRT System
Officials in Utah have approved plans for a bus rapid transit system between Provo and Orem, which will be the state's first BRT system.
The Top 30 Housing Markets in America
According to some real estate data, there are more than 30 housing markets in the U.S. that are seeing increases in housing prices. Topping the list is Boulder, Colorado.
Eight Cities on the Edge
WebUrbanist features photographs of abandoned spaces in cities that are in decline, from the ramshackle homes of Detroit to the sinking piazzas of Venice.
As World Expo Host, Shanghai Aims for Bigger Splash Than Beijing
As the host of the 2010 World Expo, Shanghai is sparing no expense. Civic investment and projects are expected to eclipse those of Beijing when it hosted the 2008 Summer Olympics.
Home on the Runway
More than 100 trailers and RVs sit in a parking lot at Los Angeles International Airport, creating an odd community of airline pilots and mechanics.
Mapping Software That Isn't Just Google Maps Plus
MIT researcher Jeffrey Warren has just released the latest version of Cartagen, a software platform for interactive mapping. Julia Galef takes a look.
BLOG POST
Another bold move in Portland
<p> <img src="http://postcarbon.org/files/highrise-turbines3_300h.jpg" alt="Wind turbines atop Portland high-rise." hspace="5" vspace="5" align="right" />When we moved the <a href="http://www.postcarboncities.net">Post Carbon Cities</a> office to downtown Portland I was thrilled to get a bird's-eye view of the downtown streetcar, the first new streetcar line built in the US since World War II. This morning I got a new history-making treat out my window: <a href="http://www.oregonlive.com/portland/index.ssf/2009/08/innovative_wind_turbines_to_to.html">four wind turbines</a> mounted yesterday on a new high-rise, among the first such urban wind projects in the country. </p>
BART Employees On Strike This Monday
The Bay Area Rapid Transit (BART) Board of Directors voted yesterday to enforce a one-year contract for the unionized transit workers- a contract the workers had rejected earlier in the week. BART employees plan to walk off the job Monday morning.
Friday Funny: 3 Out Of 4 Words Mispelled on Highway Sign
A sign pointing southbound travelers onto Business Highway 51 in Rothschild and Schofield bears an incorrect spelling for every word except "exit."
Losing Business Because of Pay Parking? Charge More!
Parking guru Don Shoup was invited to speak in Santa Rosa as an expert on parking policies. Though the city is the only one in Sonoma County to charge for parking (to the chagrin of downtown merchants), it is considering building a 545-space garage.
Entering a Strange New World of Public Participation
Changing technologies and erratic political schedules are altering the way the public interacts with elected officials. For some politicians, the new form of public participation can get them into trouble.
Boston and London to Replicate Montreal's Bike Sharing System
The Bixi bicycle sharing system in Montreal will be replicated in Boston and London, according to Montreal Mayor Gerald Tremblay.
Struggling Cities Meet to Brainstorm Survival Strategies
Representatives from a handful of the country's "fastest-dying cities" met recently in Dayton, Ohio to try to figure out how they could revive their economies and reverse the decline that has been slowly strangling them of jobs, money and people.
Greenwich Bans Clotheslines in Public Housing
Greenwich cites concerns over aesthetics and liability.
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.
