The Daily Source of Urban Planning News

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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>

May 18 - Todd Litman

Planning For The Sun Corridor

<p>A new report focuses on the expected growth of the Phoenix-Tuscon "Sun Corridor" to 10 million residents by 2030, and highlights the challenges and opportunities for this megapolitan region.</p>

May 18 - East Valley Tribune

Congressman Says U.S. Needs To Get Onboard High Speed Rail

<p>The top Republican on the House Transportation and Infrastructure Committee is leading a bill to fund new high-speed rail, stating he's ready to fight the air travel lobby that has traditionally opposed plans for high-speed rail.</p>

May 18 - CNN

Multifamily Housing Construction Surges In April

<p>While the market for single-family homes remains deeply troubled, developers of apartment buildings are moving ahead with new construction -- likely expecting rising rents from tightening rental vacancy rates due to displaced homeowners.</p>

May 17 - The Wall Street Journal

L.A.'s Subway Planners Thinking Bigger Is Better

<p>The city is already struggling to fund its planned $5 billion subway extension. But planners think adding a spur through West Hollywood could convince federal officials to chip in more funding for the project.</p>

May 17 - WeHo News


The Newest 'Made In China' Item: Hotels

<p>Hotel operator Travelodge is planning to build pre-fabricated hotels in Shenzhen that can be assembled in locales in need of a short term boost in rooms -- such as Olympic host cities.</p>

May 17 - The Times

Should Seattle Wait To Plan Its Light Rail Expansion?

<p>Instead of asking residents to consider a timid plan this November, the region's transit agency should wait until its first light rail line opens, and gas prices rise even higher. Voters will then be ready for a grander plan, argues a recent column.</p>

May 17 - The Seattle Times


Bike Production Dwarfs Car Production

<p>Production of bicycles is more than double the production of cars worldwide -- and the gap between the two vehicles is widening. Many see this as an indicator of the global shift towards encouraging bicycle use as a viable transportation option.</p>

May 17 - Earth Policy Institute

Friday Funny: San Diego Maximum Security Zoological & Convict Reserve Opens

<p>Facing a tight budget, officials in California have found an innovative way to mix uses and save money -- by combining a zoo and a prison into one efficient facility.</p>

May 16 - The Onion

The Placemaking Power Of Artists

<p>A recent conference focused on how planners use the transformative effect that artists bring to a community to help jump start urban revitalization.</p>

May 16 - The Cleveland Plain Dealer

Is Chicago Reaching For The Stick Before Offering A Carrot?

<p>Chicago shouldn't be surprised if drivers don't take to transit once its new pricing scheme is enacted. No matter the cost, most motorists won't make the switch until the city's transit system is more reliable, argues a recent column.</p>

May 16 - The Chicago Tribune

Cities Want Banks To Pay For Blight Caused By Foreclosures

<p>Minneapolis is one of several cities that have filed lawsuits against mortgage companies, seeking damages for the blight caused by the large number of foreclosures in some of its neighborhoods.</p>

May 16 - USA Today

The Wildflower Wars

<p>A dazzling wildflower season spells trouble for master-planned communities across the West.</p>

May 16 - The Next American City

Cities Should Be Like Pizza

<p>Keeping land uses separate is like keeping the ingredients of pizza separate, according to Congress for New Urbanism President John Norquist. The result is an urban pie that doesn't taste as good as it could.</p>

May 16 - Columbus Ledger-Enquirer

Did Corrupt Building Practices Contribute to China's Earthquake Disaster?

<p>As rescue work continues in the aftermath of the earthquake in China's Sichuan province, many -- including the state-run media -- are asking questions about why so many buildings collapsed, and blame corruption and shoddy construction methods.</p>

May 16 - The Globe & Mail

Infrastructure Needs to be a Major Election Issue

<p>None of the major presidential candidates are paying enough attention to the nation's deteriorating infrastructure, according to this article.</p>

May 16 - Scholars & Rogues

Cleveland Greening the Rust Belt

<p>This article from <em>Grist</em> looks at the environmental efforts being taken in Cleveland, a historically polluted and struggling Rust Belt city.</p>

May 16 - Grist

Tampa Starts Planning For Light Rail System

<p>With the Tampa region one of only two top 25 metro areas without rails in the ground or on the drawing board, local leaders want to kick start the planning process. But is the region ready for light rail when only 1 percent of locals ride the bus?</p>

May 16 - The St. Petersburg Times

BLOG POST

Public Input by Blog (Or, 'Care to Comment on the New EcoDensity Charter?')

<p> I believe it&#39;s very likely that within a few years, planning departments will be using blogs, and perhaps other social networking site options, as approaches to public input on planning policy or development applications. </p> <span style="font-size: x-small"> <p> Perhaps some are doing it already? </p>

May 15 - Brent Toderian

A Tale Of Two Visions For A Waterfront

<p>Activists in Jersey City are suing over plans to replace a fledgling waterfront arts district with new high-rises. The city says the land, which is next to commuter and light rail stations, is best used for "smart growth" high-density housing.</p>

May 15 - The New York Times

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