The Daily Source of Urban Planning News

Lack of Political Leadership on Urban Issues Harms U.S. Cities

Compared to the approach taken in other countries such as England, America's leaders have apparently chosen to not to care about -- or plan for -- livable cities, writes Neal Peirce.

July 1 - The Seattle Times

Big Box Battles

In Austin, new ordinances seek growth limits, and aggressive design standards for commercial development.

July 1 - The Slatin Report

No Solutions In Sight For Rural Arizona's Water Issue

As the long, hot days of summer continue, Arizonans cope with a myriad of water shortage issues, with no clear resolution to the problem.

July 1 - The Arizona Republic

The Science Of Traffic

How do engineers explain mysteries such as phantom traffic jams and why a brief drop in volume can trigger a traffic jam?

July 1 - Wall St. Journal

Rust Belt To Blue Belt

Will $6 Billion be enough for Great Lakes restoration?

July 1 - Michigan Land Use Institute


Freedom Tower Redesigned

Latest iteration sees the tower resting atop a ground-level 200-foot concrete and steel pedestal.

July 1 - The New York Times

AARP Releases Evaluation Guide On Communities

The guide has been expanded and updated for the new 2005 edition, and includes many new chapters and topics.

July 1 - AARP


In Alaska, 68 Miles Of Contentious Asphalt

Many residents feel a proposed highway into Juneau is a waste of money and a threat to nature.

July 1 - The Christian Science Monitor

Oxnard, CA, Wins HUD Award For Affordable Housing Efforts

Oxnard, CA, earns an award from the U.S. Housing and Urban Development Department for its efforts to increase its supply of affordable housing.

June 30 - Ventura County Star

The Most Ambitious US Solar-Energy Initiative Ever Proposed

California Governor Schwarzenegger's ambitious solar-roof plan could get sidelined by partisan squabbling.

June 30 - The Guardian Unlimited

Vancouver Rejects 'Green' Wal-Mart Proposal

Proposal for a "green" Wal-Mart developed especially for Vancouver is rejected as contrary to city's planning goals.

June 30 - The Vancouver Sun

Endangered Species Act Under Fire

Some hope to make it more difficult for plants and animals to receive protections; others seek to strengthen existing law.

June 30 - The Christian Science Monitor

Eminent Domain Decision Will Promote Sprawl

The Supreme Court decision to allow use of eminent domain for economic development will spur urban sprawl.

June 30 - Opinion Editorials

Affordable Housing Just A Dream For Most Retail Workers

A new study by the National Association of Home Builders shows that the vast majority of retail workers can't afford housing on their income.

June 30 - National Association of Home Builders

Supreme Court Justice's Farm Becomes Eminent Domain Target

"someone has made what appears to be a tongue-in-cheek pitch to take over Justice David Souter's New Hampshire farmhouse and turn it into a hotel."

June 30 - MSNBC

An Interview With L.A.'s Outgoing Planning Director

After 12 years as Planning Director of Los Angeles, Con Howe is stepping down. He offers parting words about planning in Los Angeles.

June 30 - The Planning Report

Car Culture's Cold War Roots

John Buell suggests that the 1950s consumerism that led to our auto culture was a backlash against the Soviet Union's anti-materialism.

June 30 - Bangor Daily News

Hedging The Bubble

Economist and REIT manager Ken Rosen explains his new hedge fund againstthe backdrop of bubble babble.

June 30 - The Slatin Report

The Life Of A Public Market

A photo essay about Montreal's largest public market and why it is successful.

June 29 - Maisonneuve

New York's East River Waterfront To Get Facelift

The $150 million project will keep the same sense of history of the docks, while updating for the future.

June 29 - The New York Times

Post News

Top Books

An annual review of books related to planning.

Top Schools

The definitive ranking of graduate planning programs.

100 Most Influential Urbanists

The who's who of urbanism, according to Planetizen readers.

Urban Planning Creators You Should Know

A short list of voices on social, video, and podcasting platforms.

Urban Design for Planners 1: Software Tools

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.

Planning for Universal Design

Learn the tools for implementing Universal Design in planning regulations.