The Daily Source of Urban Planning News

On April 18th, 1906, an earthquake of magnitude 8.3 rocked San Francisco. The subsequent firestorm, and efforts to contain it, destroyed 508 city blocks. But San Franciscans were eager to rebuild their city.

April 18 - The Los Angeles Times

In his recent book, The Myth of Solid Ground, David Ulin looks at what earthquakes might mean, from a cultural standpoint -- including what scientific, or pseudo-scientific, techniques now hope to predict future seismic catastrophe.

April 18 - Archinect

The Bush Administration is asking the National Park Service to undertake "Core Operations Analysis" in order to trim 20 to 30 percent from the NPS budget.

April 18 - Public Employees for Environmental Responsibility

A panel of experts will discuss the future of environmentalism, and the need to avoid the "I Have A Nightmare" mentality, today from 11am to 12pm PST on National Public Radio.

April 18 - National Public Radio

The New Orleans Times-Picayune and Biloxi Sun Herald win prizes for public service in their coverage of the hurricane aftermath.

April 18 - BBC News

The San Francisco earthquake of 1906 and the subsequent fire devastated the city known as "Paris of the West" and ranks as one of the nation's worst disasters in history.

April 18 - BBC News

California state legislators predict potentially disastrous developments for the creaky infrastructure in the north.

April 18 - The San Francisco Chronicle

The art of the flaneur -- wandering aimlessly around the city, observing its daily rhythms -- has been revived by photobloggers.

April 18 - Maisonneuve

As congregations dwindle and development pressures increase, more "grand old churches" are contemplating selling their property to make way for hospitals, condos, and apartments.

April 18 - Tacoma News Tribune

Former NBA star Christian Laettner's development company, Blue Devil Ventures, is working with state and local officials to revitalize the Kennebec Arsenal, a historic parcel of land across the Kennebec River from Augusta's downtown.

April 18 - Portland Press Herald

Columnist Steve Lopez wonders why police are ticketing seniors or cyclists crossing at intersections.

April 17 - The Los Angeles Times

Toll Brothers, a publicly-listed housing construction firm, is one of the largest in the United States, and it specializes in using its financial and political clout to profitably and legally address zoning problems.

April 17 - The Philadelphia Inquirer

The state's Republican governor has big plans for alternative energy -- so why aren't people listening?

April 17 - Indianapolis Nuvo

A host of major construction projects and renovations -- including an opera house, art gallery, and ballet school -- are set to boost Toronto's cultural industries. But will international tourists follow?

April 17 - The Globe and Mail

In suburban Orange County, California, Ladera Ranch is a thriving planned community of more than 16,000 people, where various villages are not customized to practical needs, but to what marketers call different "values subcultures".

April 17 - The Washington Post

Southern California's Inland Empire, once a blue-collar bedroom community, is transforming itself with upscale housing, new amenities, and jobs. "

April 17 - The Los Angeles Times

What is the retail giant doing offering a $557 bottle of wine in a new store in Texas? This right after its initiative to enter "blighted cities"?

April 17 - The Washington Post

New solar-powered pay kiosks are increasing city revenue at formerly metered or free spaces, and new plans are afoot to rollback after hours free parking, meaning nights and weekends could cost drivers.

April 17 - Seattle Weekly

What happens when too many people want to improve their neighborhood park?

April 17 - The Boston Globe

The trend could have disastrous implications for crops around the world, with water shortages potentially affecting 3 billion people.

April 17 - Yahoo News / Associated Press