The Daily Source of Urban Planning News

<p>The city is working hard to increase density, but with Angelenos firmly attached to their cars and the region's transit moving at a snail's pace, can smart growth really work in L.A.?</p>

June 11 - LA Weekly

<p>Plans call for redeveloping the north parking lot of the Seattle Seahawks stadium into a new mixed-use development that will add 400 housing units to the historic district and better link the neighborhood with adjoining areas.</p>

June 10 - The Seattle Times

<p>Instead of getting cities to issue more speeding tickets, what if cars automatically sensed the posted speed limit and prevented motorists from driving too fast?</p>

June 10 - BusinessWeek

<p>Plans to redevelop several ailing housing projects near the U.S. Capitol into mixed-income communities are moving forward after most tenants agree to relocate voluntarily.</p>

June 10 - The Washington Post

<p>While encouraging the city's residents to embrace higher densities and public transit, many of Los Angeles's smart growth advocates live in single family homes and commute long distances in cars.</p>

June 10 - LA Weekly

<p>A state's carbon emissions is largely correlated with the source of its electricity -- the more coal power, the larger the carbon footprint, and the lower the electric rates.</p>

June 10 - AP via Seattle Post-Intelligencer

<p>A look at how Sao Paulo's extensive bus system keeps the crowded Brazilian city's 18 million residents moving.</p>

June 9 - IEEE Spectrum

<p>A freelance journalist has uncovered documents that highlight major government financial backing for Forest City's Enterprises' proposed Brooklyn redevelopment project, which has largely been promoted as a privately funded development.</p>

June 9 - Develop Don't Destroy Brooklyn

<p>New solar roof tiles allow eco-conscious and well-heeled homeowners to enjoy the benefits of low-cost energy without annoying their neighbors with traditional solar panels deemed unsightly by some communities.</p>

June 9 - The Los Angeles Times

BLOG POST

<p class="MsoNormal">Some people choose to work in planning because they see it as a relatively interesting and stable job. Others have dreams of being the equivalent of an all-powerful SimCity-style mayor. However, many choose planning as a career because they want to make a difference in the world. They want to do good and to help those who are the least advantaged. They are attracted by the potential, if limited, for planning to foster environmental justice and social equity.</p>

June 9 - Ann Forsyth

<p>While simultaneously touting his 'green' policy agenda, California Governor Schwarzenegger is trying to put the brakes on the state's planned high-speed rail system in favor of traditional highway infrastructure improvements.</p>

June 9 - San Diego CityBEAT

<p>Quebec will be the first province in Canada to impose a carbon tax, which will be used to fund public transit and other green energy initiatives.</p>

June 9 - Canadian Broadcasting Corporation

BLOG POST

<p style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt" class="MsoNormal"><font size="3"><font face="Trebuchet MS"><span>A few weeks ago, I had the privilege of sharing several stages over two days in </span><span>New York</span><span>, with some of the most influential urbanists anywhere. The Forum for Urban Design brought together Amanda Burden (Commissioner and Director of Planning for New York), Cheong-Chua Koon Hean (CEO of Urban Development for Singapore), </span><span>Robert Freedman</span><span> (Director of Urban Design for Toronto), Peter Rees (Chief Planning Officer for London), </span><span>Kairos Shen</span><span> (Director of Planning for the Boston Redevelopment Authority), and myself, to discuss multiple city-building topics in front of (and with) Forum members, the business community and the general public. </span></font></font></p>

June 8 - Brent Toderian

<p>A British couple decided to incorporate public transit into their wedding, arriving to the ceremony by bus, and then taking the all the guests along to the reception.</p>

June 8 - South Manchester Reporter

<p>A report from the planning department in Vancouver has shown that the city's dedicated bus lanes have not resulted in the decreased transit travel times they were intended to achieve.</p>

June 8 - The Vancouver Sun

<p>The federal and the state government have announced their support for New York City Mayor Michael Bloomberg's congestion pricing plan for Manhattan, indicating that the city would most likely receive federal grants to fund the system.</p>

June 8 - The New York Times

<p>Mayors in Arizona are voicing concerns over the state's growth and are calling for rapid development of commuter rail in the Tempe region to help handle the rising population's strain on transportation infrastructure.</p>

June 8 - The Arizona Republic

<p>Citing the threat posed by climate change, the State Attorney General of California Jerry Brown has filed suit against a community for failing to rein in sprawl.</p>

June 8 - USA Today

<p>Rural towns are making moves to provide their own high speed internet services. Many rural areas are underserved by big internet service providers, and public officials recognize the importance of internet access to the future of their communities.</p>

June 8 - The Christian Science Monitor

<p>The Houston City Council has approved a measure that would grant property tax exemption for owners of buildings assigned protected landmark status in the city. Officials hope the incentive will encourage historic preservation.</p>

June 8 - The Houston Chronicle