The Daily Source of Urban Planning News

<p>North Carolina bills itself as the "good growth state." But as North Carolina's population heads toward 10 million, the state's low-density pattern of development is straining the infrastructure.</p>

May 14 - California Planning & Development Report

<p>Rising gas prices are pushing more and more Oregon drivers out of their cars. High public transit ridership figures and a reduction in vehicle-miles traveled suggest former drivers are now using transit instead of driving.</p>

May 14 - The Oregonian

<p>This article from <em>Grist</em> looks at the city of Phoenix as it teams with Arizona State University to shift the city's direction from endless sprawl to a smarter, more environmentally-conscious growth pattern.</p>

May 14 - Grist

<p>This article from <em>Governing</em> looks at the role of higher education and medical facilities in keeping urban areas alive.</p>

May 14 - Governing

<p>The city of Omaha, Nebraska, has announced plans to build a network of bike lanes throughout the city, boosted by private contributions of more than $600,000.</p>

May 14 - KETV

<p>With high foreclosure rates and growing numbers of residents delinquent with their dues, many homeowners associations are having a hard time paying for repairs and amenities.</p>

May 14 - The Wall Street Journal

<p>The automaker has announced plans for a fully-electric vehicle by 2010, and says it wants to lead the industry towards zero-emission vehicles.</p>

May 13 - The New York Times

<p>A New Jersey town along the one of the state's light rail line has rejected a plan for adding new mixed-use residential to its downtown, for fear of new development threatening its main street's historic character.</p>

May 13 - Streetsblog

<p>Celebrated for its livability and character, the city is increasingly unaffordable to the very people who gave Seattle its funky vibe.</p>

May 13 - The Seattle Times

<p>Plenty of quality parks -- along with good weather to enjoy them -- gives these cities the edge when it comes to outdoor enjoyment. San Francisco, which spends the most per capita on parks, ranks first.</p>

May 13 - Forbes

<p>After personally taking up cycling and seeing the city's poor reputation among cyclists firsthand, Mayor Thomas Menino is leading a campaign to make Boston a more bicycle-friendly city.</p>

May 13 - The Boston Globe

BLOG POST

<p> &quot;Ladies and gentlemen, welcome aboard Amtrak Train 715. We&#39;re expecting a smooth ride today and should be moving along right on time,&quot; said the voice of the train conductor over the loudspeaker. He then continued, &quot;And thanks for joining us for National Train Day&quot;. The loudspeaker then turned off, and was followed instantly by the voice of an incredulous woman a few rows behind who said &quot;What?&quot;

May 13 - Nate Berg

<p>The northern California city of Vallejo has declared bankruptcy, becoming one of few cities and the largest in the state to do so. Other struggling cities are watching closely to see if the strategy helps to save the city.</p>

May 13 - The San Francisco Chronicle

<p>Pubilc art should be guided by public input, according to this commentary.</p>

May 13 - The Guardian

BLOG POST

<span style="font-size: 12pt; font-family: 'Times New Roman'"> <p> Some commentators argue that sprawl is an inevitable result of affluence, based on European development patterns. These pundits tell a simple story: European urban cores are losing population and becoming more automobile-dependent - just like American cities. So if Europe can’t beat sprawl, neither can America. </p>

May 13 - Michael Lewyn

<p>Homebuilders have been removed from the language of a transportation funding bill that would have required developers to pay for new roads.</p>

May 13 - Arizona Daily Star

<p>CBS' "Early Show" highlights the sorry state of the country's infrastructure, warning that the U.S. may become a "second-rate country" if the necessary repairs aren't made [Includes video].</p>

May 13 - Raw Replay

<p>Chicago's federally funded pilot program will target some of the city's most congested arteries with new bus-rapid transit lines that will feature dedicated lanes, pre-paid boarding, "next bus" signs, and potentially bicycle sharing.</p>

May 13 - The Chicago Tribune

<p>Facing a shortage of affordable housing, Westchester, New York, is considering using the excess parking lots of local office park campuses for new housing development.</p>

May 12 - The New York Times

<p>Light rail vehicles aren't as green one might think, and cities that really want to lower carbon emissions might want to take a harder look at new hybrid-electric buses, argues a recent column.</p>

May 12 - Milwaukee Journal Sentinel