The Daily Source of Urban Planning News

The United States Environmental Protection Agency publishes visual case studies of 10 smart growth principles as they have been used in 20 communities around the country.

July 20 - United States Environmental Protection Agency

Responding to a housing crunch, Manhattan volunteers will count all abandoned properties in the city this weekend in an effort to utilize any and all buildings available. The count is aimed at identifying new sites for affordable housing.

July 20 - City Limits

California's Central Valley is known to be one of the most polluted areas in U.S., but few know that the two national parks above the Valley, Sequoia and Kings Canyon National Parks, actually have higher ozone concentrations than the flatlands below.

July 20 - The Fresno Bee

Even as the housing market slows in Southern California, an upscale housing boom continues in Antelope Valley.

July 19 - The Los Angeles Times

Life in a community of freed slaves is mapped and documented by young descendents.

July 19 - The Chicago Tribune

Using their large purses and incredible political strength in the California legislature, lobbyists for the oil industry have succeeded in killing any legislation they have deemed a serious threat to profits.

July 19 - The San Francisco Chronicle

A recent commentary argues that surface-level boulevards may be bigger barriers to waterfront pedestrian access than the elevated freeways the replace.

July 19 - Reason Foundation

A planner who quoted Jane Jacobs for years finally discovers what the author really said in her classic book.

July 19 - Metropolis Magazine

While some believe imitation to be the ultimate form of flattery, others describe it as a foolish attempt to replicate the past.

July 19 - The New York Times

The developer of Miami's massive Midtown project says selling the project before it is built does not indicate a change in Miami's hot housing market. Some Real Estate analysts disagree.

July 19 - The Miami Herald

NY's Village Voice publishes its non-scientific list of the 10 worst landlords in the city. The worst landlord will surprise you -- HUD. The story also includes "Apartments in Hell" -- photos from the very worst of the apartments.

July 19 - The Village Voice

With less than 300 residents, the town of Vienna, Maryland, has been grappling with the idea of growth for years. The town's mayor is now supporting a plan that will let the town grow, but not explode.

July 19 - The Baltimore Sun

Civilization owes its survival to the humble plumber writes W. Hodding Carter.

July 19 - The Los Angeles Times

A quarter cent sales tax measure, which has raised $200 million since 1990 and preserved 70,000 acres of open space, may be put before the voters of Santa Rosa, CA, in November for early re-authorization.

July 18 - The Press Democrat -- Santa Rosa ,CA

Neal Peirce comments on the role of private investment in mega-road projects.

July 18 - The Washington Post Writers Group

The city will gain new revenue from its attempt to stop employees from parking in front of downtown storefronts.

July 18 - New Mexico Business Weekly

Chicago area communities restore brick streets for aesthetics and traffic-calming.

July 18 - The Chicago Tribune

Duany, Plater-Zyberk and Company's Director of Town Planning, Tom Low, wasn't always committed to designing walkable communities.

July 18 - Carolina Living

The council will work with city officials and developers identify workable sites for infill housing as an alternative to sprawl.

July 18 - The Sacramento Bee

Private investment in Amtrak is increasingly seen as part of the solution for the poorly performing national rail service.

July 18 - The Philadelphia Inquirer