The Daily Source of Urban Planning News
Blocked Church Expansion into Greenbelt Challenged
Church officials in Ventura County, California, are challenging a decision barring them from expanding into protected open space, arguing that federal law allows them exemptions from zoning controls.
Streets, Reconquered
This piece from <em>Worldchanging</em> looks at recent efforts by cities to "reconquer" streets by making them (temporarily, at least) pedestrianized and closed off to car traffic.
Bottom-Up Urban Revival in America
America's growing regional metropolises can be the guiding light for America's urban revival, according to Manuel Pastor, Jr.
Maryland Uses GIS To Track Open Space
The State of Maryland has created a new internet-based mapping system, which it hopes will help target conservation funds.
Seattle Freeway Replacement Plans Whittled to Two Options
Planners and officials in Seattle have whittled down the list to just two ideas for replacing the city's damaged inner-city viaduct. Washington Governor Christine Gregoire reportedly wants a final decision by the end of the year.
FEATURE
Education Suffers in NY Projects
Rural Economies Imprisoned by Prison Building
Prison construction is flourishing under the assumption that it boosts rural economies, but as Eric Lotke points out, investing in other types of building would yield greater returns to society.
Rapid Buses To Serve Suburbs?
A local leader in the suburban Maryland/Washington DC area proposes aggressive use of "rapid buses" in dedicated lanes to accommodate growth, like other jurisdictions in the U.S.
Greenhouse Gas Plan Punts On Land Use Issue
In a surprising last-minute change, a new plan that outlines how California will reduce its greenhouse gas emissions does not include a concrete target for reductions attributable to less-sprawling land use patterns.
The Role of Urban Journalism in the Future
Dan Lorentz at <em>Where</em> blog takes a look at the current state of urban affairs journalism in these two posts. He looks at the role of bloggers and citizen journalists, and wonders what would happen if a city were to lose its daily newspaper.
Denver Pushes Projects to Fuel Economy
In an effort to revitalize the local economy, Denver Mayor John Hickenlooper has announced a plan to fast-track more than 200 construction projects in the city.
World's Ugliest Buildings
Virtual Tourist selects its top 10 ugliest buildings, ranging from the Brutalist Boston City Hall to the Liechtenstein Museum of Fine Arts.
Superblock Project Struggles With Historic Preservation
A proposed $150 million superblock development in Baltimore's West Side has faced numerous obstacles, including significant resistance from historic preservationists who want to see more of the historic retail district preserved.
Duany Improves on Thomas Jefferson
Planner Andres Duany proposes a plan for Goodbee Square, near Covington, LA, that adds modern light-imprint urbanism to an old Jeffersonian idea.
What's In A Name Anyway?
A lot, according to columnist Linda Robertson who makes the case for renaming the nation's most prized stadia. After all, she argues, many of them bear the name of the economy's most troubled corporations bailed out by Terry taxpayer.
Toronto Goes Back to the Tap
Toronto is now the biggest city in North America to ban the sale of bottled water on city premises, a victory which advocates hope will spur a reinvestment in public water facilities, including drinking fountains in new buildings.
Friday Funny: Google Maps for Stinkiness
At the Japanese website Nioibu.com, visitors are geomapping odd odors, from gasoline fumes to curry.
'Ready' Road Projects Could Create 1.8 Million Jobs
More than 5,000 road and bridge projects are "ready to go". They still need funding, but could provide nearly 2 million jobs if Congress approves infrastructure spending.
Census Data Shows How Housing Bubble Burst
Figures recently released by the Census Bureau offer a glimpse at the pre-existing economic situation that led to the burst of the housing bubble.
Economic Tremors Felt By New Urbanists
"Economic troubles spread from housing to other development sectors, including retail and offices."
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.
