The Daily Source of Urban Planning News
Exploring Geothermal Energy in Iceland
Stephen Lacey, host of the Inside Renewable Energy podcast, went to Iceland to see firsthand the country's geothermal infrastructure. The podcast is definitely worth a listen, and can be streamed directly off of the web page.
The Power Planner
Vancouver, British Columbia's planning director, Brent Toderian, has been named on of the 50 most powerful people in the city by <em>Vancouver Magazine</em>.
Tolling Roads Could Bring Down Housing Prices
Comprehensive road pricing through tolls and congestion charges could play a major role in reducing housing prices and sprawl, according to a new study.
Stuck In Portland Without Any Groceries
The connection between land use and health comes clear in Portland, OR, where some of the poorest citizens face a four-hour round trip to the grocery store.
The Underground Railroad Bicycle Route
The Center for Minority Health and the Adventure Cycling Association partnered to create a bike trail stretching from the Gulf of Mexico to Ontario. The trail was recognized at the 19th Annual Trails Symposium.
Mall Restaurants Foresee Bleak Christmas
With sales down at local malls and retail centers and projected at record lows for the holiday season as households curtail spending, restaurants that rely on retail traffic are preparing for losses.
D.C., Beyond the Iconic
Beyond the columns and the Capitol, Washington D.C. contains a wide variety of architectural gems and underappreciated neighborhoods, according to this Q&A about the city from <em>Dwell</em>.
A Look At Big Box Reuse
This slideshow from <em>Slate</em> looks at how to reuse abandoned big boxes.
Best Cities To Live In When The Peak Oil Crisis Hits
Common Current recently released a report ranking U.S. cities on their ability to deal with a peak oil crisis. San Francisco comes out on top and Oklahoma City ranks last.
How Much Does Bad Air In LA and Central Valley Cost California?
An economic study has been published showing that the costs of air pollution to the 20 million Californians living in the state’s (and nation’s) two most polluted regions, the LA basin and San Joaquin Valley, to be around $28 billion annually.
Preserving and Reusing Boston's Architectural Infrastructure
This article looks at some adaptive reuse projects that successfully preserve the beauty of Boston's late-nineteenth century infrastructure.
Pricing Parking at a Premium
On Tuesday, San Francisco's MUNI approved a pilot program to price 6,000 of the city's parking spots according to popularity.
Despite Lower Gas Prices, Americans Driving Less
According to the Federal Highway Administration, the number of miles driven in the U.S. declined by 4.4% since last year.
TOD Down Under
Transit-oriented development is catching on in Australia, as several projects spring up around Brisbane. The article is accompanied by a photo gallery of recent developments.
Mike Davis Says Green Revolution Should Take a Backseat
A lot of pundits have been seeing in the Obama presidency a chance to invest large amounts of federal dollars on green infrastructure. Not yet, argues Mike Davis.
Would $3 Gas Balance California's Budget?
Energy expert Severin Borenstein suggests a novel strategy to ensure California drivers don't lose their gas-saving habits and vehicle preferences learned when gas cost $4.50/gallon - a 'variable gas surcharge' to stabilize gas prices at $3/gallon.
Change Comes to Committee on Energy and Commerce
Representative Henry A. Waxman of California replaces the current chairman of the Committee on Energy and Commerce, who has served in the post since 1981. Waxman's nomination was applauded by environmental groups.
Planner Confesses Love for Driving
It's hard to give up driving, even when you're professionally committed to sustainable transportation.
BLOG POST
Why I fight
<p> Occasionally, someone familiar with my scholarship asks me: why do you care about walkability and sprawl and cities? Why is this cause more important to you than twenty other worthy causes you might be involved in? </p> <p> The answer: Freedom. I grew up in a part of Atlanta that, for a carless teenager, was essentially a minimum-security prison. There were no buses or sidewalks, as in many of Atlanta’s suburbs and pseudo-suburbs. But in my parents' non-neighborhood, unlike in most American suburbs, there were also no lawns to walk on, so if you wanted to walk, you had to walk in the street - not a particularly safe experience in 40 mph traffic. </p>
Pirate Booty Creates Boomtowns
Somalian pirates are creating a booming economy of caterers, luxury cars, and high-end chefs in the northern coastal towns of the impoverished country. "The pirates depend on us, and we benefit from them," said one shopkeeper.
City of Fort Worth
planning NEXT
Mpact (founded as Rail~Volution)
City of Camden Redevelopment Agency
City of Astoria
City of Portland
City of Laramie
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.
