The Daily Source of Urban Planning News

As rail expands into East L.A., residents are both excited about economic opportunities and worried about gentrification and the possible loss of the area's distinct Latino character.

December 2 - Los Angeles Times

BLOG POST

<p> While Americans and Canadians alike watched the U.S. presidential race with growing enthusiasm and passion over the past two years, it may have slipped the notice of our American friends that we actually had a federal election here in October.  </p> <p> It was a decidedly passionless affair: the <a href="http://www.cbc.ca/news/canadavotes/story/2008/10/15/voter-turnout.html">lowest voter turnout in Canadian history</a> helped to ensure that almost nothing changed in Ottawa in terms of the balance of power. The Conservatives were returned with a minority mandate, and the once seemingly undefeatable <a href="http://www.nytimes.com/2008/10/21/world/americas/21canada.html?n=Top/News/World/Countries%20and%20Territories/Canada">Liberals had their worst showing ever</a>.  </p>

December 2 - Michael Dudley

A bi-partisan PA bill with considerable support seeks to redirect funds from the Motor License Fund, paid by motorists, that currently go to the State Police to roads. The police budget would have to compete with other needs from the general fund.

December 2 - Land Line

A group of Brooklyn residents has taken over an unfinished 40-unit development site and plans to create a co-housing community with a courtyard and 6,000 sq ft of common space for meals, work and play.

December 2 - The New York Times

With thousands more licensed taxis than New York City, Dublin Ireland is facing a glut of idle cabs.

December 2 - The Globe and Mail

Treehugger.com talks to Andy Kunz of urbandesign.org, The Apollo Alliance, and Transportation for America about their proposals to move America forward with expanded public transportation initiatives.

December 2 - Treehugger.com

BLOG POST

<p> Most of the time it’s not that hard to kind of forget that I’m a grad student. It often feels like a long, ongoing conference, but without nametags: We hear speakers (sometimes known as professors), have long lunch breaks, do exercises, then retire to the bar at night to talk about all of it. </p> <p> More similarities: None of our classrooms would be mistaken for hotel conference centers, but a bunch of them <em>are</em> windowless and characterless. People are cordial, but also kind of angling for a job. Everybody’s friendly, and sometimes, people hook up. </p> <p> Then reality comes crashing down like a pile of books: oh yeah. Exams. We have to take those. </p>

December 1 - Jeffrey Barg

As Mumbai recovers from the recent terrorist attacks, social worker Katia Savchuk reflects on how cities can be resilient to terrorism.

December 1 - Where

A South American building boom can be credited for the steady demand for projects by American architecture firms.

December 1 - Architectural Record

The mayor of London has announced plans to make the city greener than ever. He stated that opportunities abounded not just for emissions reduction, but for green job creation as well.

December 1 - Guardian (UK)

A new report from the Chaddick Institute for Metropolitan Development finds that a combination of high gas prices and airline industry woes have contributed to a dramatic increase in intercity bus ridership.

December 1 - Forbes

The Bureau of Land Management hasn't gone through with its plans to auction off leases on land, apparently intended to be explored for oil and gas.

December 1 - Los Angeles Times

According to Philip Myrick, communities that will fare the best economically are the ones that think locally and employ placemaking strategies.

December 1 - Project For Public Spaces

Author Paul Sorensen details the findings of a recent RAND study recommending short term (i.e., within five years) fixes for rampant congestion in Southern California.

December 1 - The Planning Report

A proposed New Orleans hospital will have to be built on top of an historic neighborhood that some residents feel that they have just regained. Those in favor of the project insist that the selection of that site was necessary.

December 1 - International Herald Tribune

Subway violence and crime in Philadelphia have been unofficially traced to truant students, who are enabled by unlimited rides on the SEPTA throughout the week. Whether or not the student TransPass system should be eliminated is being debated.

December 1 - Philadelphia Daily News

FEATURE

December 1 - Richard Moe

Outdated funding mechanisms and systemwide maintenance issues ensure that the next transportation secretary will have a full plate during the Obama administration.

December 1 - The Washington Post

BLOG POST

<p style="margin: 0cm 0cm 0pt" class="MsoNormal"> <span style="font-size: small; font-family: Times New Roman">Economic stimulation is an important issue these days. Let’s be smart when choosing economic stimulation strategies. </span> </p>

November 30 - Todd Litman

BLOG POST

<p class="MsoNormal"> With the return to prominence of physical planning and increasing use of GIS, planning students are becoming interested in developing portfolios of their work. This blog entry provides tips for this process exploring why portfolios are useful, who they are aimed at, and how to design the portfolio. It provides many of the resources needed to design your own! </p>

November 30 - Ann Forsyth