The Daily Source of Urban Planning News

Is New Urbanism 'Antiseptic'?

Columnist Michael Paul Williams of the Times-Dispatch worries that the planned New Urbanist development in Roseland, VA will turn out to be 'as antiseptic as a theme park."

September 6 - Richmond Times-Dispatch

Friday Funny: Masking the Smells of Public Transit

Stinky trains may become a thing of the past in Berlin, where officials are sniff-testing new fragrances to mask the odors of public transit.

September 5 - Der Spiegel

New England's Football Mall

Football and shopping become one in New England, where the owner of the New England Patriots NFL team has built a $300 million mall and entertainment complex next to the stadium.

September 5 - NPR

Red/Blue = Rural/Urban?

The discourse in the current presidential election appears to be pitting rural -- and presumably conservative -- Americans against urban liberals.

September 5 - The Globe and Mail

BLOG POST

Planning for Planning School

<p> I used to have interns. Probably hundreds of them, if you add them up over the years. I lorded over them all—benevolently, of course—while they, with doe eyes and studied eagerness, did whatever they could to impress me and my colleagues. </p> <p> Then this week, at orientation for the University of Pennsylvania’s master of city planning program, I sat in the crowd, one face out of about 70. A plebe once again. </p> <p> Talk about humbling. </p>

September 5 - Jeffrey Barg


Railroad at the Top of the World

On Canada's arctic Baffin Island, engineers are preparing to construct the world's most northerly railway, a 143 kilometer line across permafrost to transport iron ore to Europe.

September 5 - The Globe and Mail

Can 'Green' Cement Eliminate C02?

Cement production is notorious for generating large amounts of C02. Now a Stanford professor claims to have developed a new process that will eliminate the problem.

September 5 - The San Francisco Chronicle


Small Wind Turbines Become Popular, But Experts Question Their Value

Small wind turbines have been installed around the country, from Logan Airport in Boston to rooftops in New York and California. But many wonder if the turbines generate enough electricity to make economic sense, especially in urban areas.

September 5 - The New York Times

Smart Growth Isn't Smart Without Transit

California's SB 375 could have a big impact on the way the state grows, but without more funding for public transit, any gains would be offset by continued congestion and traffic problems.

September 5 - Beyond Chron

Big Density Plans for Toronto

Toronto is considering a broad new plan to encourage higher density.

September 5 - The Globe and Mail

Garbage Day Never Comes for Naples

Corrupt and inconsistent mob-controlled garbage collection in Naples, Italy, has left the city swimming in uncollected trash and with little hope of a resolution.

September 5 - The Los Angeles Times

Architecture Degrees Gaining Popularity

The U.K. is seeing a significant leap in students applying for architecture degrees, possibly due to the rise in interest in sustainability around the world. Some worry that growing programs could impact the quality of education.

September 5 - bd

Foreclosures Gone Wild

A foreclosed home in Lake Elsinore, CA has attracted some new residents- a family of bobcats.

September 4 - The Press-Enterprise

The Mall Comes to India

Malls are a newcomer to India, but designs that incorporate elements of the Indian marketplace are a hit.

September 4 - LiveMint.com

CA Senate Approves HOT Lane Legislation

The CA Senate voted to approve the HOT lane/transit investment plan of the LA MTA for two freeways, making LA eligible for $210 million in federal congestion pricing funds if the governor signs the bill.

September 4 - Los Angeles Times

'Collision Course' for Toronto's Competing Transportation Plans?

The City of Toronto and Ontario's transportation agency Metrolinx are offering competing long term transportation plans for the Toronto region.

September 4 - The Globe and Mail

BLOG POST

The Accidental Planner

I clearly remember the day that I received a call from MIT faculty notifying me of my acceptance into the Master of City Planning (MCP) program.  I could not believe that a department within the illustrious MIT (and I do not say that facetiously), the epitomic bastion of computer geeks, rocket scientists and the like selected me for its MCP program.  Moreover, the path that led me to that moment was somewhat accidental. My interest in urban planning, though earnest and fervent today, was not grounded in even the slightest exposure to urban planning or urban design in my pre-MIT life.  <br />

September 4 - Tamika Camille Gauvin

The Printable Home

Engineers at USC have developed a new technique for '3-D printing' houses.

September 4 - Boing Boing

Hong Kong Sprawls Into the Ocean

One man's personal quest to save the beauty of Hong Kong's Victoria Harbor from rampant development.

September 4 - The Christian Science Monitor

School Closures Hurting Canadian Communities

Its birth rate declining, Canada is facing an unprecedented drop in school enrollments, leading to a wave of closures.

September 4 - The Globe and Mail

Post News

Top Books

An annual review of books related to planning.

Top Schools

The definitive ranking of graduate planning programs.

100 Most Influential Urbanists

The who's who of urbanism, according to Planetizen readers.

Urban Planning Creators You Should Know

A short list of voices on social, video, and podcasting platforms.

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.