United States

While the wind energy credit was extended thanks to the fiscal cliff deal, don't expect to see a flurry of wind projects built and certainly it won't match last year's production. Much uncertainty remains for this renewable power industry.

January 17, 2013 - The Wall Street Journal

Employing material gathered for his forthcoming book, Chuck Wolfe argues for layered, historical illustrations of how people relate to built and sociocultural communities around them, and offers 5 principles and companion lessons for placemaking.

January 16, 2013 - myurbanist

The "great global project" of this century, says Patrick Doherty, is how to "accommodate 3 billion additional middle-class aspirants in two short decades." In a bold essay, he outlines how the U.S. must lead the global transition to sustainability.

January 15, 2013 - Foreign Policy

"[A]ffordable housing remains one of America’s most vexing problems," states an editorial published last weekend in The Times. To help address this problem, the editors challenge the new Congress to finally finance the National Housing Trust Fund.

January 15, 2013 - The New York Times

Across the United States, bike-share systems have struggled to provide access to those with fewer transportation options. Darren Buck looks at what some cities are doing to expand their reach.

January 14, 2013 - Greater Greater Washington

The draft of a new report issued last week by the U.S. government concludes the impacts of climate change are spreading faster than previously predicted.

January 14, 2013 - Los Angeles Times

Justin Hyde is firmly in the camp that 'Vehicle-Miles-Traveled' (VMT) fees are coming - and the release of a GAO report last month may support that contention. Privacy concerns from GPS and collection costs are challenges that were considered.

January 14, 2013 - Motoramic (Yahoo! Autos blog)

Richard Florida interviews Jeff Speck about his new and highly praised book "Walkable City." The two authors discuss why cities should become more walkable to meet the needs of the "Walking Generation."

January 13, 2013 - The Atlantic Cities

What does the impending demise of the Fresh & Easy grocery chain mean for food deserts? Hannah Burton Laurison and Christine Fry look at how small-format grocery stores can still succeed where Fresh & Easy failed.

January 12, 2013 - HealthyCal.org

For decades, researchers have hunted for an explanation for why big cities have been more prone to violent crime than small ones. A new hypothesis may offer a surprising answer, and prove that big cities aren't inherently much more dangerous.

January 11, 2013 - Mother Jones

Can dynamic digital globes compete with flatter technologies like today’s iPad? Mark Vanhoenacker explores some of the possibilities these modern spheres may bring to places of work, study and play.

January 11, 2013 - New York Times

While the fiscal cliff talks did not increase the gas tax as some transportation analysts had hoped, it did increase a benefit that many commuters who ride public transit will appreciate, particularly those whose monthly expenses total $240.

January 10, 2013 - Sierra Club Compass

It may be hard to remember now that the winter weather has many dreaming of an escape to a warm beach, but last year's scorching temperatures set the record for the hottest year ever in the United States - by far.

January 10, 2013 - The New York Times

Following the death of pioneering architecture critic Ada Louise Huxtable, those writers who've followed the trail that she blazed have offered their eloquent appreciations for her impact.

January 9, 2013 - Vanity Fair

Ever been startled by a Prius silently sneaking up behind you? Those days may soon fade in the rear view mirror if U.S. Department of Transportation proposals for minimum sound requirements on hybrid and electric vehicles are approved.

January 9, 2013 - Los Angeles Times

Angie Schmitt delivers news that will bring some post-holiday cheer to transit and smart growth advocates. The Federal Transit Administration has revised the criteria by which it judges projects vying for funds from two popular programs.

January 9, 2013 - DC.Streetsblog

A new study mandated by the federal Resources Planning Act predicts that developed land in the U.S. will increase by 41 percent in the next five decades. Such development could have dramatic impacts on our natural resources and ecosystems.

January 9, 2013 - NRDC Switchboard

A new report released by Smart Growth America evaluates the federal government's influence on America's real estate sector. With $450 billion in subsidies per year, it's clear "the communities we’ve constructed weren’t built on market demand alone."

January 8, 2013 - The Atlantic Cities

A new app from the nonprofit Sunlight Foundation culls publicly available information to give you a graphically pleasing "cultural and demographic snapshot of your surroundings," writes Ariel Schwartz.

January 8, 2013 - Fast Company Co.Exist

Professional planners can be a great resource for staffing local planning and zoning commissions (especially in smaller communities). That is, of course, as long as they can manage to wear both hats without conflict.

January 8, 2013 - The Western Planner