The Daily Source of Urban Planning News

Transit Systems Going Green

<p>Transit operators around the country are looking at ways to make taking public transportation even more environmentally friendly.</p>

May 9 - USA Today

Candidates Sit Idly While Sprawl Thrives and Cities Die

<p>This piece from <em>The Cleveland Free Times</em> argues that policy can and does encourage sprawl, and none of the candidates running for president will do anything to combat these policies. Meanwhile, American cities will continue to die off.</p>

May 9 - The Cleveland Free Times

How To Encourage Brownfield Redevelopment

<p>Builders and planners are gathering in Detroit to discuss funding options for brownfield redevelopment and learn from region's experience transforming these community eyesores.</p>

May 9 - Christian Madera

Rise in Bikers Pushes New York Towards Cycle-Friendliness

<p>Biking gets serious in New York, where the city is investing millions in a system of dedicated bike lanes.</p>

May 9 - The Los Angeles Times

California Housing Construction Crashes

<p>There is very, very little new housing construction in most of California, where the number of housing starts is down 75% from the boom year of 2005. One result is layoffs for planners, building inspectors and plan checkers.</p>

May 9 - California Planning & Development Report


Housing Debacle Threatens Renters

<p>A new report examines the impacts of the mortgage meltdown on rental housing.</p>

May 9 - Joint Center for Housing Studies

Building Water Slides in Drought Country

<p>Water shortages have hammered the Atlanta region. But despite the drought, one real estate developer is planning to build a huge water park.</p>

May 8 - The Atlanta Journal-Constitution


Potential Reservoir Of Urban Open Space

<p>What do you do when 96 football fields worth of space opens up in a major metro area?</p>

May 8 - The Los Angeles Times

A City Serious About Recycling

<p>With 70 percent of its waste already diverted from landfills, San Francisco continues to push forward with new laws and programs to increase recycling.</p>

May 8 - The New York Times

Monied Interests Triumph in L.A.

<p>In two separate examples, a <em>Los Angeles Times</em> columnist shows how stakeholders with money tend to win the support of local politicians more often than the less fortunate.</p>

May 8 - The Los Angeles Times

Portland Bicycling Goes Platinum

<p>The City of Portland joins Davis, California, as the only other city to earn the League of American Bicyclists' Platinum rating.</p>

May 8 - The Oregonian

A Silver Lining To The Foreclosure Crisis: More Affordable Housing

<p>The Federal Reserve has announced plans to help community non-profits to acquire foreclosed homes for use as affordable housing.</p>

May 8 - The Washington Post

Is 'Sex And The City' To Blame For New York's Gentrification?

<p>With its portrait of glamorous living in Manhattan, some New Yorkers can't help but blame the television series for fueling the city's gentrification. Even the show's star, Sarah Jessica Parker, laments Manhattan's loss of 'grit'.</p>

May 8 - New York Daily News

Red Tape Holds Back Drivers Using Biofuels

<p>Environmentalists say laws have yet to catch up with greener fuel alternatives for cars.</p>

May 8 - The Los Angeles Times

Immigrants Face Discrimination, Abusive Fair Housing Policy In Nebraska

<p>In Nebraska, a state experiencing just a moderate level of Hispanic immigration inflow, Attorney General Jon Bruning has drawn the line on who he’ll protect from abusive housing policies and who he won’t. For him, immigrants simply aren’t worth it.</p>

May 8 - The Next American City

Streetfilm: A Car Tour of Hollywood with a Pedestrian Advocate

<p>Go for a ride with Los Angeles' leading pedestrian activist and learn about some of the challenges in bringing change to the Car Culture Capital of America.</p>

May 8 - LA Streetsblog

Cultural District Planned For Downtown Salt Lake City

<p>Plans for a Broadway-style theater and "cultural district" in downtown Salt Lake City moves forward.</p>

May 7 - Deseret News

Is That A Bike In Your Pack?

<p>A number of innovative new bicycle designs were on display at this year's International Bicycle Design Competition, including a bike that folds into its own backpack carrying case -- making it easy to take on public transit.</p>

May 7 - Gizmag

Los Angeles Cracks Down On Mansionization

<p>Despite concerns about lowering property values across the city, the L.A. City Council moved to limit the size of newly constructed homes in older neighborhoods to about 4,000 square feet.</p>

May 7 - The Los Angeles Times

The Catch-22 Of Gas Prices

<p>If driving less makes prices fall -- will Americans respond by driving more?</p>

May 7 - The Columbus Dispatch

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