The Daily Source of Urban Planning News
Historic Preservation for Tract Homes?
A resident of a Rancho Palos Verdes, CA development of 262 tract homes designed by Paul R. Williams, the first African-American architect in the AIA, is seeking an historic preservation measure to protect the 1950s-era homes.
Canada Finds Electric Car Infrastructure Already In Place
In the cold climes of Canada, parking lots come equipped with 120-volt outlets to keep engine blocks warm. Planners see these outlets as a stepping stone to a future of electric cars for the country.
LA the "Meanest City"?
A new report on how cities criminalize the practices used by homeless people to get by on a daily basis names Los Angeles as the country's "meanest city" for its "Safer City Initiative."
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The Mobile City
<p> <span class="status-body"><span class="entry-content">AZUL: 12PM-3PM@The Brig - Abbot Kinney and Palm in </span></span> </p> <p> <span class="status-body"><span class="entry-content">Venice; 6PM-9PM@La Brea/Pico Billboard Eco Art - 4829 </span></span> </p> <p> <span class="status-body"><span class="entry-content">West Pico just east of La Brea</span></span> </p>
LaHood on the Stimulus Package
Speaking today at the Center for National Policy in D.C., Secretary of Transportation Ray LaHood touted the success of the ARRA stimulus package and answered questions on transportation bill reauthorization and other topics.
Changing Tune on Density
Back in 1971, Alvin Duskin mounted an all-out campaign to limit buildings in San Francisco to 72 feet. Today, he is one of many Bay Area activists reconsidering density.
A Perfect Storm of Construction
A perfect storm of projects, ranging from a new busway to an expanding sports arena, is just beginning to disrupt life in the village of Rozelle, Australia. Construction could continue past 2020.
Illinois Approves $31 Billion Construction Plan
Illinois Governor Pat Quinn signed into law a bill that will bring about $31 billion worth of road, transit and school construction projects.
Combining Trails and Transit
Cities can expand transit service areas by providing convenient access by bike.
Wetland-Clearing Highway Project on List for Texas Stimulus
A 14-mile road segment that would connect two highways in Texas is a contender for stimulus funding in the state. But it would also cause the removal of at least 23 acres of wetlands. Environmentalists are upset the proposal is being considered.
The Bust of Williamsburg
Sales in Brooklyn are down, and that's made a ghost town out of the recently booming but now busted Williamsburg neighborhood.
7-Eleven Opening Stores, Not Closing Them
The convenience store announced it would open 200 new stores this year. A rep said that attractive locations had opened up for the retailer that were previously too expensive.
Chattanooga Turns To Bicycles To Help Homeless
Bicycles are being collected and distributed to Chattanooga's homeless in an attempt to improve their quality of life.
Bridge Lane Closed for Cyclists
Vancouver, B.C. is experimenting with closing one lane of the Burrard Bridge to traffic to add a bike lane. Cheryl Chan reports from Day 1 of the lane closure. Was traffic affected?
Obama on Urban Affairs
Via the White House, here are the President's opening remarks at yesterday's roundtable discussions with the Office of Urban Affairs and the Domestic Policy Council. He highlighted success stories in Denver, Kansas City, and Philadelphia.
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Raising the Green Bar again: from EcoDensity to "Greenest City"?
<p> <span style="font-size: 10pt; font-family: 'Courier New'">Over various blog posts through the last few years, I've shared some of the key steps and stages leading to the eventual unanimous Council approval of <a href="/node/33517" target="_blank">Vancouver's EcoDensity Initiative</a>. Since then the EcoDensity Charter and new policies have been changing the way we think about density, green building and site design, and our ecological footprint in and outside of city hall. We've also been moving forward on various EcoDensity actions approved in principle by Council back in 2008.
Prince Charles Quits Preservation Group
In the continuing battle between architects and Prince Charles, the Prince has resigned from the Society for the Protection of Ancient Buildings after it rejected the foreword he had written for an upcoming handbook on restoration.
Regions of Water's Future Uncertainty
This interactive map from <em>Good</em>'s Water issue highlight seven regions in the world that are likely to experience conflict over water shortages.
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Planning for "Bozos"
<span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman'">All forms of public decision-making are subject to controversy and competing expectations. Many of these relate to the perceived utility gained -- or disutility incurred -- through public expenditures.
Pagination
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.