The Daily Source of Urban Planning News

<p>San Francisco Mayor Gavin Newsom is considering a plan to temporarily close down certain streets to car traffic, creating public space for pedestrians -- similar to the successful Ciclovia that takes place weekly in Bogota, Colombia.</p>

May 25 - The Examiner

<p>The New York Times looks across the nation and finds consumers reluctantly changing their habits to deal with rising gas prices.</p>

May 24 - The New York Times

<p>If you demolish a building, then recreate it exactly in a different spot, will it retain its original character? Atlantans may find out.</p>

May 24 - The Atlanta Journal-Constitution

<p>Falling revenues from real estate taxes could impact transit expansion plans as New York's MTA faces a sharp decline.</p>

May 24 - Tim Halbur

<p>Understanding and improving the Brazilian informal settlements known as favelas will require more information about the slums -- especially in the field of mapping.</p>

May 24 - Harvard Design Magazine

<p>Delhi has unveiled a new bus rapid transit system, with dedicated bus lanes. The only problem is that the bus stops and dedicated lanes are located in the middle of hectic and busy streets that are dangerous to cross.</p>

May 24 - The Wall Street Journal

<p>By day, Nicole Losch works on the Sidewalk Strategic Plan for Burlington Public Works. But in the evenings, look out.</p>

May 23 - WCAX-TV

<p>A provocative new exhibition at the New York Public Library challenges new bans on taking pictures in public space, and proposes the idea that photography is in some ways an exercise of eminent domain.</p>

May 23 - The New York Times

<p>High gas prices and slowing construction rates in exurban areas may mean that the era of "driving until you qualify" for affordable housing may be over soon.</p>

May 23 - California Planning & Development Report

<p>In the early days, trolleys and trains carried 400,000 passengers a day over the Brooklyn Bridge. With continued growth in pedestrian traffic, a former transit commissioner says a rail renaissance might not be so far-fetched.</p>

May 23 - NY1 News

<p>A national survey shows that despite the depression in the housing market, landscape architects across the U.S. continue to get work.</p>

May 23 - Daily Journal of Commerce, Portland, OR

<p>As Mayor Bloomberg moves forward with an eco-friendly redevelopment for the crumbling Willets Point neighborhood, locals feel pushed aside and complain that eminent domain is out of control.</p>

May 23 - The Christian Science Monitor

<p>A group of Indians from the Amazon attacked a government engineer at a recent meeting where he was discussing a proposed hydroelectric dam on the Xingu River that could displace 15,000 indigenous people and destroy traditional fishing grounds.</p>

May 23 - Associated Press via National Geographic

<p>City officials and local businesses in Seattle are teaming up to offer cash and prizes to residents who limit their car use this summer.</p>

May 23 - The Seattle Post-Intelligencer

<p>A new design for a public bike rack could help prevent crime.</p>

May 23 - BBC News

<p>Plans for the construction of "eco-towns" in the UK have sparked protests from groups who argue that they will be too spread out and will encourage sprawl.</p>

May 23 - Telegraph

<p>In preparation for two major soccer tournaments -- the 2010 FIFA World Cup and the 2009 Confederations Cup -- South Africa is moving ahead on schedule in constructing major public transit systems in the events' host cities.</p>

May 22 - BuaNews via AllAfrica.com

<p>A campaign is underway in Wales to revive the "Garden City" concept, first brought to life in 1898. This time, supporters are claiming the radial, suburban plan is a sustainable alternative to cities.</p>

May 22 - Western Mail, Wales

<p>A Googie-era Denny's Restaurant in the Seattle area is at the center of a debate about how buildings get designated as landmarks. Yesterday, the Preservation Board relented on economic considerations, and the building is slated for demolition.</p>

May 22 - The Seattle Times

<p>Dubai’s Roads and Transport Authority used to slap motorists with heavy fines for ridesharing. Faced with exploding population growth and 8 million tourists a year, officials have changed their tune.</p>

May 22 - The National, Abu Dhabi