The Daily Source of Urban Planning News

<p>Plans have been unveiled for a new public plaza in downtown Seattle, built in conjunction with the construction of a high rise office and residential tower and street level retail complex.</p>

February 27 - Seatlle Post-Intelligencer

<p>First come the artists, then the high rents. So why not base you real estate investment strategy on where artists are going now?</p>

February 26 - Business Week

<p>Houses in gated communities generally command values 5-7% higher than equivalent houses non-gated communities. Despite the rapid growth of gated communities, many critics question the value.</p>

February 26 - The Los Angeles Times

<p>With more coffee shops per person that any other place in the United States -- Anchorage, Alaska, provides some interesting lessons about latte culture.</p>

February 26 - Anchorage Daily News

BLOG POST

<p>Thanks to Planetizen for asking me to participate in “Planetizen Interchange” with such a distinguished group. This is my first entry so to let you know a bit about me, I live in New Orleans, LA. I was displaced for 10 months to Houston, TX after Katrina destroyed my house, but I am back in New Orleans where I am a planning, zoning and land use consultant.

February 26 - Anonymous

<p>Communities in Pennsylvania and other stats are struggling to develop regulations in the face of a growing number of billboard applications.</p>

February 26 - The Philadelphia Inquirer

<p>Long known internationally as America's "Gay Mecca", San Francisco's Castro District is seeing an influx of straight couples who find the district's amenities attractive. A movement is afoot to ensure the district retains its gay identity.</p>

February 26 - The San Francisco Chronicle

<p>Amid concerns over his plans to create a modern socialist republic, Venezuelan President Hugo Chávez has denied that he has plans to phase out the concept of private property in the country.</p>

February 26 - International Herald Tribune

FEATURE

With the Latino population growing tremendously, it's time to begin addressing the shortcomings in the practice of planning regarding this key demographic.

February 26 - Leonardo Vazquez, AICP/PP

<p>In response to meeting regional housing demand requirements stipulated by the Association of Bay Area Governments, the Downtown Area Plan Advisory Committee of Berkeley, California, considers a high-rise development plan proposed by city staff.</p>

February 26 - The Berkeley Daily Planet

<p>Walt Disney's utopian dream forever changed Orlando, Florida, and laid the blueprint for the new American metropolis.</p>

February 26 - National Geographic

<p>What do you do when you've been living a car-free lifestyle and you win a brand new car?</p>

February 26 - The Globe and Mail

<p>Sewer and water ratepayers in San Diego recognize that a rate hike is the only way to pay for replacing aging infrastructure.</p>

February 26 - San Diego Union Tribune

BLOG POST

<p>In spring 2007, the Texas Transportation Institute and its partners will release the newest version of the &quot;Mobility Report.&quot; This eagerly-awaited document will chronicle the worsening congestion in urban and suburban America. The report typically spawns a frenzy of media stories as folks eagerly peruse the ranking lists finding out just how their area did. While methodology tweaks and data issues might add a few wrinkles, no one will be surprised to see congestion worse than the prior report two years ago. Surprise, surprise!

February 25 - Steven Polzin

<p>Poverty rates in the United States are at a 32-year high, and a new study suggests that 58% of Americans will experience poverty at least once in their lives.</p>

February 25 - Common Dreams

<p>With the U.S. Decennial Census long form dropped in favor of the annual American Community Survey, the Census Bureau is busy preparing its one-page, six-question form. The task is not as easy as you'd think.</p>

February 25 - The Wall Street Journal

<p>Rising property costs and the threat of hurricanes are pushing more and more people out of the Florida Keys. The area experienced a 4% decline in population between 2000 and 2005, a trend expected to continue.</p>

February 25 - The Christian Science Monitor

<p>The all-powerful California Transportation Commission is besieged by attacks from both Northern and Southern California leaders who argue for a greater share of the landmark $20 billion transportation bond fund approved by voters last November.</p>

February 25 - The Los Angeles Times

<p>As part of its entrance into the European Union, Bulgaria was required to submit a list of territories it wanted to have protected. The list has fallen short of environmentalists' hopes, and gone too far in the minds of landowners and investors.</p>

February 25 - International Herald Tribune

BLOG POST

It has been a few years since my last trip to Europe, so perhaps I have selective memory. But I don’t recall having to compete with hundreds of cars or choke down exhaust while exploring the streets of London. I remember navigating through seas of people that filled the city’s squares, alleyways and boulevards.

February 24 - Diana DeRubertis