A Dallas suburb considers whether to change its sign regulations to allow a massive cuckoo clock in a public space. European cities often have them, but American cities rarely do.
"For years, Karl Kuby says, his customers have been entertained by the cuckoo clocks in his German restaurant and market.
He and his son would like to provide the same kind of amusement to shoppers throughout Snider Plaza by installing a clock on top of his building at the southern end of the shopping center.
University Park's sign regulations prohibit such displays, but the idea could be kept alive if the city changes its sign law.
As early as next month, a city committee will study whether to allow exceptions for special signs. The ordinance bans signs such as clocks that move, rotate, flash, reflect or blink, so unless the change is made, the Kubys won't be able to install the 10-foot-tall, 6 ½ -foot-wide cuckoo clock.
'We feel that it would be an asset to Snider Plaza and an asset to University Park and to Dallas,' Mr. Kuby said, noting that such outdoor clocks are common in European towns but almost unheard of in Texas."
Read the full story: Is it time for a cuckoo clock in Snider Plaza?
Planning Juno
Many viewers may not fully appreciate movies as a visual story-telling medium, but that fact came home to me dramatically the other night while watching “Juno,” the off beat, smart and funny film that just snagged a best screenplay Oscar. The deliberate use of architecture and public spaces, in particular, was quite effective although you probably won’t find these references in plot summaries or synopses.
Planning for Love, Part 1: The link between urban form and dating
A brief exploration of dating through history highlights how the spaces in which we live and move shape our social lives and relationships.
Federal Government Will no Longer Recognize Architects as ‘Professionals’
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Planetizen Federal Action Tracker
A weekly monitor of how Trump’s orders and actions are impacting planners and planning in America.
Eastern Nebraska is running out of electricity
Data centers and electrification are straining eastern Nebraska’s grid, throttling economic development.
Study reveals best places in the U.S. for cycling, walking
New research from Streetlight Data examines bicycle and pedestrian miles per capita in the 100 largest U.S. cities by population.
Developers reveal $10 billion stadium plan as ‘Hail Mary’ to keep Bears in Chicago
The plan would also boast a public park, high- and mid-rise buildings and a youth sports complex.
As Texas embraces carbon storage, a Black community questions the risks
Texas now issues permits for companies to store carbon dioxide underground. East Texas residents fear safety risks, and skeptics doubt the climate benefits.
New BLM proposal would slash public comment periods, environmental protections
The proposed rewrite would also strip legal leverage from Tribal nations and state governments.
FREE Course: Walkable City 1: Why Walkability?
After describing his path towards focusing on walkability as the essence of good planning, Jeff Speck marches through his five principal reasons for making more walkable places.
Reinventing Malls: Planning Alchemy—Turning Gray Fields Into Gold
The course focuses on the opportunities and imperatives that shape reinvention of mall sites.
City of Rosemead
Rutgers University, Edward J. Bloustein School of Planning and Public Policy
One Hundred Miles
University of Michigan School for Environment and Sustainability (SEAS)
Hunter College, City University of New York (CUNY)
The Architects Foundation
City of Cambridge
The Pocatello Development Authority
The Urban Renewal Agency of the City of Pocatello