The Daily Source of Urban Planning News

Major Change Coming To Boston's South Station

Long in the planning and approval stage, a 40-story Cesar Pelli designed office and residential complex will be built adjacent to Boston's transportation hub -- South Station.

July 21 - The Boston Globe

Hot Housing Market Is Finally Cooling Down

The Wall Street Journal's quarterly analysis of 26 U.S. metro areas reveals falling prices and rising inventories in a number of overheated housing markets.

July 21 - The Wall Street Journal

BLOG POST

Make a lot of creative, small plans

The surging housing market and development pressure in Philadelphia has resurrected what was once an all but dormant profession - planning. Meeting after meeting is being held with community leaders, politicians, developers and others to discuss the current lack of planning in the City in the wake of this widespread change. The concensus of each meeting is that the City needs a Master Plan. Further, there also appears to be a major call to finally empower the planning commission which has, for years, been cast aside as a step-child of City governance.

July 21 - Scott Page

Trees Over Houses: A Critique Of Smart Growth

Citing high housing prices in cities with strong growth control policies, one author argues that the smart growth movement seems to place more value on open space than people and their preferred housing choices.

July 21 - The Baltimore Sun

Will Fighting Spare The Paris Of The Middle East?

Beirut, thoroughly rebuilt and rejuvenated since the Lebanese civil war, has been heavily damaged in the current conflict between Israel and Hezbollah, although there is still hope that its downtown may be spared.

July 21 - WTOP


New York City's Water Quality Threatened

After a century of enjoying clean water from the tap, the city's may need to start filtering its water supply.

July 21 - The New York Times

San Diego Reaches Compromise On Inclusionary Zoning

The city will amend its three-year-old ordinance to settle a lawsuit brought by the local the Building Industry Association.

July 21 - San Diego Union Tribune


Building Up, Not Out

Singapore and Vancouver are two examples of cities where high-rise residential development is the norm.

July 21 - The Toronto Star

New Urbanist Plan Approved In Rural Florida Despite Opposition By Planners and Public

Pelham Square, a 200 home development proposed by creators of Celebration, faced opposition by County planners and residents due to its rural location and density.

July 21 - The Orlando Sentinel

Green Roofs Taking Root In The U.S.

Vegetation covered roofs, which help save energy and reduce runoff, are sprouting up in major cities across North America.

July 21 - ABC News

U.S. Housing Market Round-Up

The Wall Street Journal reviews real estate articles from across the US about the top-ranked places to live and where housing prices are falling.

July 21 - The Wall Street Journal

Minnesota Cities Say No To Cul-De-Sacs

Cul-de-sacs remain popular with homebuyers (and therefore developers), but some American cities are taking steps to limit or even prohibit their use.

July 21 - Smart Growth Online

Americans Consuming More Gas Than Ever

Despite a price jump of 75% in gasoline per gallon since 2000, Americans bought 10% more in gas in the first half of 2006.

July 21 - Business Week Online

Big Plans For The Houston Astrodome

Plans for redevelopment include a convention hotel and entertainment center with restaurants, bars and nightclubs, surrounded by an enormous parking garage.

July 20 - The Houston Chronicle

Illinois' New Smart Growth Tax Breaks

The state will provide financial incentives to businesses who locate near transit and affordable housing.

July 20 - The New Standard

Protecting Subway Cars From Bombs

Toronto is modifying its subway cars to improve safety in this age of terrorist bombings, while one expert says the change will only create an illusion of safety.

July 20 - The Toronto Star

Creating Social Change Through Color

A non-profit organization in New York is improving the lives of school children by adding bright colors to hallways.

July 20 - Metropolis Magazine

New Rail Line Will Link New England Cities With Airport

The planned $222.5 million transit hub will seamlessly link T.F. Green Airport with Providence and Boston by 2009.

July 20 - The Providence Journal

High Style Meets Low Budget Architecture

Why should the big spenders have a monopoly on architecturally distinctive dwellings?

July 20 - Milwaukee Journal Sentinel

Record Stores Becoming A Relic Of The Past

With the arrival of the digital music age, record stores are disappearing at an alarming rate.

July 20 - The New York Times

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This six-course series explores essential urban design concepts using open source software and equips planners with the tools they need to participate fully in the urban design process.

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Learn the tools for implementing Universal Design in planning regulations.