The Daily Source of Urban Planning News
San Francisco's Historic Gem Returned To Life
<p>San Francisco's latest and perhaps most glorious restoration is the 1890 De Young Building that was the original home of The Chronicle has now been converted to a Ritz Carlton after having been an undignified office building for the last 43 years.</p>
China Abandons Yangtze Dam Plans
<p>The dam would have forced the flooding of one of China's most visited tourist sites and displaced more than 100,000. Plans are still in the works for a hydropower dam on the river, but the exact location is uncertain.</p>
Public Transit For a Month
<p>Millions take public transit in New York every day. <em>The New York Times</em> is beginning a month-long series looking at the commute and culture of public transit in the city.</p>
'Superferry' Takes Off, But Controversy Persists
<p>The 866-passenger Hawaiian Superferry has begun operations despite months of controversy over its environmental consequences. With an environmental impact statement due in 18 months and plenty of opponents, the Superferry is not yet in the clear.</p>
Looking To Architects As Bellwhethers of Building Industry Trends
<p>This column from <em>The Washington Post</em> looks at the housing and development trends presented by the American Institute of Architects' Home Design Trends survey.</p>
Finding Canada's Happy Place
<p>A new Canadian study shows that people in smaller, less affluent cities are happier than those in larger, rapidly-growing ones.</p>
New Year To Bring $10 Toll To Southern California Commuters
<p>In 2008, $10 tolls will be awaiting some Inland Empire commuters to Orange County who use the 91 Express Lanes of the Riverside Freeway, depending upon what day and time they travel home.</p>
The German Urban Planning Workhorse
<p>One German planner's influence has been seen in projects across the world. Now he's refocusing his eyes on his home country.</p>
Thoughts on America's Affordable Housing Shortage
<p>This report from <em>NPR</em> looks at the shortage of affordable housing in America.</p>
The City of Blinding Lights is Starting To See 'Green'
<p>The first thermal plant in 16 years opened this summer in southern Nevada. And America's most expensive private development - a new hotel and casino complex on the Strip - is getting LEED certified.</p>
Planned Communities Take Nosedive in Idaho
<p>Proposals for planned communities have taken a sharp downturn in Idaho since last year. A deteriorating housing market and the lack of infrastructure are being cited for delays in development.</p>
Is New Urbanism The Way To A Green Future?
<p>This article from <em>Time</em> discusses the burden development places on the environment and how New Urbanism seeks to mitigate this burden.</p>
America's Global Warming-Fighting Attorney General
<p>California Attorney General (and former governor) Jerry Brown may be to global warming what former NY Attorney General (now Governor) Elliot Spitzer was to corporate reform, as his widely watched lawsuits, and threats of lawsuits, have gained fame.</p>
The End of The Big Dig
<p>With the end of 2007 comes the official end of Boston's "Big Dig."</p>
The Path To Preserving L.A.'s Industrial Lands
<p>Preserving industrial land in Downtown L.A. is the focus of a broad city report to be released in January. The city recommends classifying specific areas into four land use categories to guide development in the area increasingly sought by investors.</p>
The Year's Best In Livable Streets
<p><em>Streetsblog</em> has announced the winners of its livable streets awards, commending such public works as bike lanes and low emissions policies.</p>
Height Restrictions May Be Lifted In Paris
<p>This report from <em>NPR</em> looks at plans in Paris that could lift building height restrictions and dramatically alter the city's skyline.</p>
House of Cards
<p>A primer on how the economics of housing have been the foundation of not just urban planning but the whole American economy since the 1930s, and why the current housing crisis could have such a far-reaching impact.</p>
Friday Funny: Most Lustful US Cities?
<p>Forbes has published its ranking of the America's 10 Most Lustful Cities. If you're looking for love, start in San Antonio or Cincinnati.</p>
California's Land Use Stories Of The Year
<p>The sudden end to a hot housing market and planners' response to climate change were the top land use stories of 2007, according to California Planning & Development Report.</p>
Caltrans
City of Fort Worth
New Jersey Institute of Technology
Mpact (founded as Rail~Volution)
City of Camden Redevelopment Agency
City of Portland
City of Laramie
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