The Daily Source of Urban Planning News

What To Do About New York's Congestion? Readers React

<p><em>The New York Times</em> recently asked its readers to offer their suggestions on improving the city's traffic congestion. This article reveals their ideas -- and puts them up to the scrutiny of two transportation experts.</p>

November 8 - The New York Times

Air Boards & MPOs Must Team Up To Reduce Carbon Emissions

<p>The key to meeting carbon reduction goals lies in reducing transportation emissions through changing land use. But to do so requires air resources boards and the many metropolitan planning organizations to play key roles.</p>

November 8 - The Contra Costa Times

Is Desalination The Solution To Water Shortages?

<p>Advances in reverse osmosis membrane technology are convincing more and more cities to invest in cleaning their own used water instead of piping it in from far-off reservoirs.</p>

November 8 - VerdeXchange News

Changing Tides In Chinese Planning

<p><em>Metropolis Magazine</em> talks with Chinese architect and planner Huasheng Sun about how the two fields have changed as the country transitioned from communism to a more capitalist society.</p>

November 8 - Metropolis Magazine

Can Recreating A 16th-Century Garden Heal Kabul?

<p>A $5 million garden restoration in the heart of Kabul is drawing hundreds of visitors and reminding us that beauty always matters, even in a time of war.</p>

November 8 - The Globe & Mail


Charlotte Residents Vote In Favor of Transit ... Again

<p>The effort to repeal Mecklenburg County's half-cent transit tax was defeated by a wide margin at the polls on Tuesday.</p>

November 8 - The Charlotte Observer

The 'Ad-Hoc' Redevelopment of New Orleans

<p>Rebuilding and redevelopment continues is New Orleans, with a wide variety of architectural styles creating a patchwork in the city. Some say this free-form redevelopment is good for the city, but others are calling it a mistake.</p>

November 8 - The New York Times


Everglades Restoration Bogged Down By Politics

<p>Ambitious effort to restore the Florida Everglades faces lack of funds and political complications.</p>

November 7 - The New York Times

The World's Skinniest House

<p>Take a tour inside what may be the skinniest house ever built -- the bite-sized answer to the McMansion.</p>

November 7 - Ah Boon

People Power

<p>Volunteer-run neighborhood councils in Los Angeles are gaining political power and showing what a new kind of politics could look like.</p>

November 7 - The Los Angeles Times

Oregon Voters Approve Property Rights Reduction Measure

<p>Oregon voters yesterday approved Measure 49 -- a property rights initiative that scales back the development rights landowners were granted by the state's Measure 37 in 2004.</p>

November 7 - The Oregonian

Is Detroit Doomed?

<p>Despite loft conversions and a rash of casino developments, Detroit continues to lose population and seems unlikely to recover any time soon, writes Lisa Rochon.</p>

November 7 - The Globe and Mail

Urban Revitalization Through Libraries

<p>Cities across the world are investing in their libraries as opportunities to create world-class architecture and tourist attractions.</p>

November 7 - The Toronto Star

UK Healthy Towns: A Step Too Far?

<p>The government in the UK has announced plans to create "healthy towns" that encourage exercise through urban design. Is this idea going too far to control peoples' activity?</p>

November 7 - Spiked

Race-Related Sprawl

<p>In this interview, civil rights leader and environmentalist Van Jones talks about the interconnections between urban sprawl, racism and the "prison-industrial complex".</p>

November 7 - AlterNet

Making A Better Parking Lot

<p>The city of Toronto has approved design guidelines for future development of parking lots within the city. The guidelines call for more trees and better drainage, but as of now are not included in any mandatory city policies.</p>

November 7 - The Toronto Star

Shhh, Don't Share This News About Portland

<p>After a <em>New York Times</em> real estate article points out that on top of being one of America's most livable cities it is also one of its most affordable, there could be mass migration to Portland.</p>

November 7 - The New York Times

MIT Sues Starchitect For 'Deficient Design'

<p>Architect Frank Gehry is sued for providing "deficient design services" for MIT's Strata Center.</p>

November 6 - Abhijeet Chavan

Can The St. Joe Co. Remake The Florida Peninsula?

<p>The St. Joe Company appears to be streamlining its real estate operations as work begins on a new regional airport that could open up the The Florida Peninsula.</p>

November 6 - The Slatin Report

'Sand Taxes' Divide Beachfront Communities

<p>As federal and state funds dry up, beachfront communities seek their own solutions to protect against coastal erosion and storms.</p>

November 6 - The New York Times

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