This piece from Worldchanging takes an in-depth look at the competition to redesign metropolitan Paris for the year 2030.
Reviewing the resulting projects, Paul Lukez finds innovative strategies for guiding the future of the suburbanized metropolis -- in Paris and beyond.
"The results of these ambitious proposals are on display now as part of an exhibition "Le Grand Pari de L'agglomération Parisienne" shown at the Cité de l'architecture until November 2009. They are impressive in their scope and scale. Most importantly, they address problems and provide solutions that pertain not only to Paris but also to metropolises around the world. Therein lies the great promise of this undertaking, in that it can serve to advance this important discussion while providing a rich repository of solutions."
Read the full story: Transforming Paris: “Le Grand Paris 2030” as a Post-Kyoto Metropolis
Envisioning a New Paris, In Theory At Least
The future of Paris has been laid out by ten teams of architects and planners. The ideas are broad, futuristic, and innovative, but few are likely to be realized.
The Olympics are the perfect excuse to build LA’s dream bike network
With no guaranteed funding for transit, LA should be looking to take as much strain off its Metro system as possible. A vast, interconnected bike network would do just that.
An inspiring look at how women leaders are transforming cities
Book review: “Women Changing Cities: Global Stories of Urban Transformation” brilliantly demonstrates how feminist urban planning creates spaces that serve everyone.
Planetizen Federal Action Tracker
A weekly monitor of how Trump’s orders and actions are impacting planners and planning in America.
California plans to bury El Niño’s downpour
If the state plays its cards right, it may be able to store a billion acre-feet of El Niño’s water in aquifers.
Desperate measures: Advocates weigh draining Lake Powell to fill Colorado River
Draining the reservoir could reduce evaporation losses by a couple hundred thousand acre-feet.
Chicago voters approve permanent festival grounds, penalty for vacant property owners
Currently, major summer and fall festivals take over public parks for weeks at a time, drawing criticism from nearby residents
NYC votes to cut outdoor dining red tape, speed up permitting
New York City also voted to allow the Department of Transportation to begin work on urgent projects before notifying elected officials.
California appears to reject Prop. 45
The proposition would have expanded the projects that qualify for a streamlined environmental review, effectively paring down the California Environmental Quality Act.
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
Hunter College, City University of New York (CUNY)
The Architects Foundation
University of Cincinnati Online
City of Cambridge
Montrose County
The Pocatello Development Authority