The Daily Source of Urban Planning News

Yellowstone National Park, 2011

<p>This editorial cartoon from <em>Mother Jones</em> offers a look at a possible future for Yellowstone National Park.</p>

July 28 - Mother Jones

Exurbs Hit Hard by Housing Crisis

<p>Exurban developments are struggling to control their rampant foreclosure rates and plummeting housing values.</p>

July 28 - The Christian Science Monitor

FEATURE

Columnist Neal Peirce Discusses the Past and Future of the Metropolis

Planetizen talks with journalist and syndicated columnist Neal Peirce about the trends he's seen over the course of his career and the future of America's metropolitan regions.

July 28 - Planetizen

Hercules Backs 'New', 'Smart' Waterfront

<p>Plans for a "new urbanist/smart growth" development on the waterfront of the San Francisco Bay Area town of Hercules has received unanimous approval from the city council, eliminating the need for inclusion on the November ballot.</p>

July 28 - The Contra Costa Times

Does HUD Need To Be Modernized?

<p>Professor Sudhir Venkatesh of Columbia believe it is time for HUD to be replaced by a more nimble agency capable of responding to the 21st century city.</p>

July 27 - The New York Times


T. Boone Pickens Announces Alternative Energy Plan

<p>Texas oilman T. Boone Pickens has announced his plan to reduce America's dependency on foreign oil, emphasizing the extensive transfer of wealth out of the country it has caused. His plan relies on natural gas vehicles and increasing wind power.</p>

July 27 - The San Diego Union-Tribune

Not As Poor As You Think

<p>This segment from <em>NPR</em> looks at results from a new study that show many poor neighborhoods actually have the potential for vibrant economies.</p>

July 27 - NPR


L.A. MTA Puts More Transportation Funding on Nov. Ballot

<p>After more than three hours of public comment and debate at Thursday's MTA Board meeting, the Board of Directors approved placing a half-cent sales tax on the November ballot, pending approval of a companion Assembly bill.</p>

July 27 - The Los Angeles Times

Seattle's Transit Authority Announces $17.9 Billion Plan

<p>Sound Transit is putting a major bus and rail plan on the November ballot. The Seattle Times has the details of where the money will go.</p>

July 27 - The Seattle Times

An Architect-Designed Mega Plan in Istanbul

<p>One of the world's largest urban renewal projects is about to break ground in the Kartal area of Istanbul, and every aspect of the new neighborhood is designed by a star architect. The Wall St. Journal reports on the new "city-building industry".</p>

July 26 - Wall St. Journal

Starbucks Closing Hundreds of Stores

<p>After seemingly endless expansion, Starbucks begins closing some 600 stores, prompting a "save Starbucks" campaign.</p>

July 26 - Slate.com

'Hotel of Doom' Resumes Construction in Pyongyang

<p>After a 16-year hiatus, construction has resumed on a gigantic North Korean hotel that some architects and engineers fear is so poorly built that it will never be occupied.</p>

July 26 - The Globe & Mail

Cuckoo Clock Comes To City Square

<p>A Dallas suburb considers whether to change its sign regulations to allow a massive cuckoo clock in a public space. European cities often have them, but American cities rarely do.</p>

July 26 - Dallas Morning News

NIMBYs On Vacation

<p>Next American City nails NIMBYs for their vacation choices.</p>

July 26 - The Next American City

Friday Funny: Developers Bad at Naming Streets

<p>Developers often see naming streets as their way of making a mark, naming streets after daughters, alma maters, or the family dog. But they often find themselves tangled up in regulations and the limits of their own creativity.</p>

July 25 - The News & Observer

Friday Funny: 'Guide Ferret' Banned From Bus

<p>OC Transpo (Ottawa's transit authority) says that Frances Woodard can no longer bring her pet ferret on transit.</p>

July 25 - Canwest News Service

Moscow Tops List of World's Most Expensive Cities

<p>Moscow tops an annual ranking of the world's most expensive cities. The survey examines housing, transportation, food, clothing, household goods and entertainment for corporations and government agencies determining living costs for expats.</p>

July 25 - Forbes

Motor City Reconsiders Transit

<p>After over fifty years without public transportation, new support for transit from Detroit leaders.</p>

July 25 - National Public Radio

A Portrait of New Urbanism

<p>Terrain.org profiles Bradburn Village, a successful New Urbanist project in Westminster, Colorado. As one resident puts it, 'Bradburn is designed around community.'</p>

July 25 - Terrain.org

Time for a National Water Policy in the U.S.

<p>Former federal prosecutor Elizabeth de la Vega laments the incredibly disjointed and ad hoc approach to freshwater management in the United States.</p>

July 25 - Truthout

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.