The Daily Source of Urban Planning News
A Big Idea: Solar-Powered Cargo Ships
Toyota has hired two firms to build solar panels to augment the diesel engines on their car-carrying behemoths. The result will be a cut in CO2 emissions of 1 to 2 percent per year, or about 20 tons.
Community Participation Shapes Katrina Recovery
Steven Bingler of Concordia Planning and Architecture discusses the process and thinking behind the Unified New Orleans Plan, which engaged large numbers of citizens to plan the recovery of their neighborhoods in the wake of Hurricane Katrina.
The Middle East's 'Urban Prison'
In this article from <em>Progressive Planning</em>, Tom Angotti looks at Gaza and the land use regulations that have imposed an "urban apartheid".
FEATURE
The Black Cloud: Using Games to Understand Air Quality
Human behavior and land use affect air quality, and those effects are very distinct at the local level. A new environmental game fusing public participation, air quality sensors and web technology shows how.
The Quest for the Perfect City
The director of the Design Museum in London reflects on the mostly unfortunate quest for perfection in city planning and architecture, as the museum's new exhibit, <em>Design Cities,</em> opens.
China Takes Bus Rapid Transit Seriously
China is investing in complete Bus Rapid Transit (BRT) systems in cities from Beijing to Kunming.
Can Land Trusts Keep Housing Affordable?
At a time of extreme housing market volatility, community land trusts are seen as a more sustainable form of tenure.
Architect Says 'Stop Planning For Cars'
Columnist and architect Arrol Gelner comes to grips with the end of the automobile era.
The Disappearing American Barn
Historic barns are disappearing across the country, along with the way of life they represent. But a growing number of towns and citizen groups are working to preserve them.
Housing Discrimination Adding to Post-Katrina Hardships
People of color are finding it more and more difficult to secure housing in New Orleans, as new and old forms of housing discrimination -- and overt racism -- are conspiring to keep them out.
Instant Cities in the Persian Gulf
Rami Khouri of the Issam Fares Institute for Public Policy and International Affairs notes the unprecedented phenomenon of the "instant" cities of the Persian Gulf which, for all their wealth, lack civil societies.
Forget Everything You've Learned
Bill Thompson of the ASLA reports on a public space in Silver Spring, Maryland that upends everything landscape architects and planners think they know about what makes a successful public space.
New York Full of Possibility for Green Roofs
The Governor of New York recently signed off on tax abatements for developers who install green roofs
Gas at 87-Cents a Gallon? Yes, But it's GAS!
Utah appears to be just what Texas oilman, T. Boone Pickens, had in mind with his new energy plan that calls for widespread use of natural gas to replace gasoline and diesel, even though only one vehicle is manufactured to run on it.
Bicycle Couriers Up, Motorized Couriers Down
In New York City, bicycle courier businesses are witnessing new growth, while motorized couriers struggle to turn profit in an age of rising full-costs.
BLOG POST
The Mystery of Ground Transportation
<p> Despite the rising costs of belonging to the jet set, I took my share of flights for a few business trips and boondoggles this summer. Though most of my plane tickets were paid for, my transportation to and from my respective airports were not. Like any good urbanist, I approached each airport as a challenge to see how cheaply and quickly I could get from the airport to my in-town destination. <br /> <br /> These were challenges that I -- or, rather, the cities -- failed more often than they passed. <br />
What Cities Have the Best Brands?
A new study ranks European cities on their brand, taking into a account sense of place, civic pride, and business climate. Paris ranks first (no surprise), but the research also reveals a handful of 'undervalued' cities.
'Pay As You Drive' Insurance
'Pay as you drive' insurance will soon be a reality in California, surviving the state senate as a voluntary program that environmental groups say will encourage people to drive less by saving them money on their car insurance.
Milwaukee More Bike-Friendly than Residents Realize
One resident finds it surprisingly easy to live on Milwaukee's East Side without a car.
Mixed-Use for Volgograd
Volgograd, Russia (formerly Stalingrad) is getting a new mixed-use city center, designed with the idea of "shopping as museum and exhibition space".
City of Moorpark
City of Tustin
City of Camden Redevelopment Agency
City of Astoria
Transportation Research & Education Center (TREC) at Portland State University
Regional Transportation Commission of Southern Nevada
Toledo-Lucas County Plan Commissions
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.
