The Daily Source of Urban Planning News
More Cities Face Naturally Decreasing Population
<p>More people die than are born in Pittsburgh every year -- seriously impacting the city's schools, laborforce and healthcare infrastructure. Other American cities will soon follow, say demographers.</p>
Living Well In The Era Of High Gas Prices
<p>Want to learn how Americans can maintain a high standard of living in an era of sky-high gas prices? Just look at Europeans, who've been going it for decades, argues economist Paul Krugman.</p>
Trading Planning Tips With Shanghai
<p>While the city's regional approach is the envy of many American planners, Shanghai is also guilty of top-down planning that may end up encouraging sprawl.</p>
Did Smart Growth Policies Save Oregon's Housing Market?
<p>Oregon's housing market has faired far better than other areas of the country, with some experts agreeing that the state's more restrictive land-use policies helped to prevent an oversupply of homes during the free-wheeling mortgage years.</p>
Cars Don't Cause Traffic, Drivers Do
<p>Some planners hope that driverless car technology can finally put an end to traffic jams.</p>
Coping With Vacant Big Boxes
<p>To deal with the problem of vacant big-box stores that have proliferated across the country, one Milwaukee suburb is levying a fee on developers to help pay for demolition. Other cities are exploring similar options.</p>
Debunking The Myths About TOD
<p>Responding to critics of Denver's planned TOD developments, TOD expert John Renne responds to four common misconceptions about transit-oriented development.</p>
The Importance Of Street Parking
<p>New research from the University of Connecticut shows that on-street parking is a key ingredient in a vibrant and pedestrian-friendly downtown.</p>
California Land Conservation Agreement Will Create Sprawl
A recent agreement between developers and environmental groups puts the conservationists in the unfortunate position of not being able to oppose a plan that is the epitome of sprawl, according this editorial.
Virginia Governor Seeks Sales Tax Raise For Transit Projects
<p>Virginia Governor Tim Kaine has proposed a plan to raise sales taxes in the state to help fund public transportation projects -- a plan similar to one voters turned down in 2002. But this time, voters won't be involved in the decision.</p>
Dirty Politics Keeping Sprawl Alive in Florida
<p>This commentary claims that dirty politics have prevented Florida voters from being able to control sprawl in their communities.</p>
Saving and Improving Slums
<p>This article from the <em>Harvard Design Magazine</em> looks at slums in Latin America and discusses the important role they play in their cities. Preserving the positive qualities of these communities is increasingly preferred over slum clearance.</p>
Container Condos Planned in Detroit
<p>Developers in Detroit are planning a condominium project completely made out of used shipping containers. But city approval is needed before the project can move forward.</p>
BLOG POST
The Case Against Flexibility
A few weeks ago, I was reading yet another think-tank paper arguing against new rail projects.<span> </span>Amidst the sea of technical detail, one assertion bothered me: the common claim that bus service is more “flexible” than rail.
Should Apartment Buildings Be Made Smoke-Free?
<p>A recent survey shows that while many renters support the idea of smoke-free apartment buildings, an equal number are concerned about infringing on the rights of tenants -- even if they don't smoke.</p>
BLOG POST
Is 'Walking Distance' Overrated?
<p> The common wisdom about walkable neighborhoods holds that density – proximity to destinations – determines the number of walking trips. An ideal walking distance of a quarter mile is usually prescribed between residences and the nearest transit stop or retail center. <br /> <br /> I don’t dispute that walking distance is important, especially when I’m lugging an armload of groceries. However, some trendy high-density development favors compactness at the expense of comfort and safety. <br />
Los Angeles Announces Plans To Recycle Wastewater For Drinking
<p>Faced with increasing water shortages, Los Angeles Mayor Mayor Antonio Villaraigosa has announced plans to recycle the city's sewage water to replenish drinking water qualifiers.</p>
Redevelopment Induced Sprawl
<p>In Kansas City, many tax increment financing zones are simply luring existing business to move and creating new sprawling development.</p>
BLOG POST
Don't Fill-er-up With Stupidity
<span style="font-size: small; font-family: Times New Roman"> <p style="margin: 0pt" class="MsoNormal"> <span style="font-size: small; font-family: Times New Roman">People’s response to death typically proceeds through various stages: disbelief, denial, anger, bargaining, guilt, and eventually acceptance and hope. Motorists’ response to increased fuel price seems to follow similar stages:</span> </p>
City of Clovis
City of Moorpark
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.
