The Daily Source of Urban Planning News
The Environmental Impact of Cement Plants
Cement is everywhere, and the building material makes a huge impact on the environment in terms of emissions, according to the San Francisco Sentinel. This article outlines the cement-making process.
BLOG POST
More versus Different
<p>In the last six months I have been fortunate to work in a variety of communities - from rural counties in Pennsylvania and Virginia, to small towns and cities in New Mexico and New York, to larger cities in Alaska, Connecticut, and Virginia. Each place has suddenly been confronted with the advent of new dollars. New money at any point in time is a valuable, and especially scarce resource. But in this economy this is even more the case. As communities are faced with reduced sales and property taxes, and consistent demand for services, any new funds are a welcomed addition to the work of balancing the books.</p>
Without Building Permits, Amish Face Fines
Legal actions have been brought against more than a dozen Amish residents in Wisconsin and New York for building structures in their traditional style, but without building permits.
The City on Hiatus
Nick Paumgarten imagines a New York City landscape that would result from a present-day economic crisis.
Obesity and Sprawl Correlation Found in Australia
A new study from the University of New South Wales has outlined a connection that suggests living farther away from central cities results in higher rates of obesity.
BLOG POST
Skills in Planning: Writing Literature Reviews
<p> <span style="font-size: small"><span style="font-family: Times New Roman">Terrorized by the literature is the title of a chapter of Howard Becker’s excellent book, <em>Writing for Social Scientists</em> (1986, Chicago). Whether through terror or misunderstanding, the literature review is one of the areas that students in planning find most confusing. While I have dealt with the literature review briefly in my blog on writing <a href="/node/29949" target="_blank">proposals</a>, the tips below provide more detailed advice on how to compose a literature review and how to find important literature in the age of information overload.</span></span><em><span style="font-size: small; font-family: Times New Roman"> </span></em> </p>
How Tax Breaks Fueled the Housing Bubble
This article from <em>The New York Times</em> looks at how Clinton-era tax breaks helped create the housing bubble.
Revitalizing the Arch
The national park under St. Louis' famed Gateway Arch has seen better days, and has always been a point of contention. Today, some residents want to build a cultural attraction in the park. The park service is resisting.
Of Chickens and Cities
In Cleveland, the rise of urban agriculture has spurred new regulations intended to help farmers raise chickens or bees. Some fear, however, the newly created red tape makes it more difficult.
A More Populated Future for Tysons Corner
Despite a high concentration of shopping, jobs and parking, Tysons Corner does not have a lot of people. Plans are moving forward that will bring more life to this office park, shopping center city.
Cuba Serves As Model For Urban Farming
With urban farms sprinkled throughout the island, Cuba is proving to be one of the world's most successful models of how to integrate agriculture into urban areas.
Friday Funny: Spit City
Officials in Sarasota, Florida have thrown out a 100-year old rule against spitting in public, despite some concerns about public health.
Schwarzenegger: Decaying Infrastructure Is Hurting Economy
Gov. Arnold Schwarzenegger writes that the failure of the U.S. to invest in infrastructure is hurting the economy, and a massive investment is necessary.
Ray LaWho?
The announcement of Ray LaHood as Transportation Secretary came as a surprise to many transportation planners and environmentalists. This article looks at some of their reactions to the pick.
Stimulus Money Pits Cities Against States
In an effort to secure federal stimulus funding, cities and states are elbowing to see who can get transportation projects started the fastest.
From Modernist to New Urbanist
A developer in Holmdel, New Jersey sees promise in a building designed by Eero Saarinen to become a pedestrian-friendly town center. 'This place can be a great public realm."
Is Urbanism Enough to Curb Global Warming?
Witold Rybczynski reports on a recent conference at the University of Pennsylvania at which planners emphasized technology. He thinks that there is more to it than that.
Tucson Rejects Density Plan
There will be no infill development at Jefferson Park, near the University of Arizona, that increases density. The move contradicts the city's plan to achieve a more "urban feel."
Farmer's Markets Bucking the Trend
Architect Richard Reep argues that farmer's markets in Orlando are creating public space in areas that have all but rejected the idea of common ground.
Housing for the Mentally Ill
Last week, a Santa Barbara apartment community, The Garden Center, opened to 38 new residents. The apartments were specifically designed to combat homelessness through housing and mental health care all at once.
Smith Gee Studio
City of Charlotte
City of Camden Redevelopment Agency
City of Astoria
Transportation Research & Education Center (TREC) at Portland State University
US High Speed Rail Association
City of Camden Redevelopment Agency
Municipality of Princeton (NJ)
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.
