United States
Applying the Brakes to the Streetcar Revival
With Los Angeles, Charlotte, Washington D.C. and many more cities hoping on board, seats are filling up quickly on America's streetcar bandwagon. However, experts caution gung ho cities about unreal expectations for improving mobility.
CBO Analyzes Obama's 'Hallucinatory' Transportation Budget
According to the CBO, President Obama's transportation budget keeps the Highway Trust Fund, currently expected to run out of funds in 2015, solvent until 2021. The additional funds come from 'intergovernmental transfers' - but are they real?
City Growth Picks Up, Continues to Outpace Suburbs
New census data shows that America's cities continue to grow at a faster rate than their suburbs, sustaining the reversal of a decades-long trend.
Mapping the United States of Parking
With arresting infographics, architect Seth Goodman aims to expose the absurd parking requirements that can be found in cities across America.
To Stretch Strained Municipal Budgets, Build Smart
Utilizing 17 case studies, a new report from Smart Growth America examines the costs and benefits of competing development strategies. Any way you slice it, smart growth strategies are more financially prudent than building sprawl.
Obama Could Tackle Climate Change on His Own; But Will He?
With a reluctant Congress unwilling to act, and the signs of a warming planet multiplying, the Editorial Board of The New York Times urges President Obama to utilize executive actions to address climate change.
Environmentalists Told to Get With the Fracking Program
Environmentalists charged that the new federal rules guiding hydraulic fracturing do not protect the environment and inform the public about the fracking process. The new Secretary of the Interior, Sally Jewell, appeared prepared for their comments.
Going, Going, Gone: High Plains Drains its Water Supply
Years of record drought and more intensive farming are draining the High Plains Aquifer, distressing farmers from Colorado to Texas. Rural communities are suffering from dwindling water supplies.
54 Arts Projects Awarded Creative Placemaking Grants
ArtPlace America has announced the 54 recipients (out of over 1200 applicants) for its most recent round of creative placemaking grants. The $15.2 million in grants will support projects in 44 communities and a statewide project in Connecticut.
Poverty's Sprawling Tentacles
From 2000-2011 the number of poor Americans living in the suburbs increased at a rate double that of the country's cities. The result is that more poor people now live in the suburbs than in cities. A new book examines this troubling trend.
In America's Cities, the Better-Off Trade Retail for Restaurants
The replacement of retail establishments with restaurants in America’s urban centers has a demographic slant.
Rural-Urban Partnerships May Be the Key to Water Conservation
Most of us who live in major metropolitan areas know that urban water supplies are dwindling. The question is: what can we do about it?
Living with Frank Lloyd Wright
20 homes designed by the renowned architect are looking for a discerning owner. But buyer beware, says Joann S. Lublin, 'owning an architectural treasure can come with significant headaches.'
Frightful City Ranking of the Week: Most Dog Attacks
Who else but the U.S. Postal Service would be able to rank America's worst cities for dog attacks? Just in time for National Dog Bite Prevention Week, the USPS has released the "Fiscal Year 2012 U.S. Postal Service Dog Attack City Ranking."
Energy Secretary Confirmed; EPA Pick Advances
On May 16, President Obama's pick to head the EPA, Gina McCarthy, was approved on a 10-8 party-line vote by a Senate Committee and advances to the full Senate. His pick to head the Dept. of Energy, Ernest Moniz, was approved by the Senate by 97-0.
Where in America is it Easiest to Bike to Work?
Today, the U.S. is celebrating Bike to Work Day. With increasing investment in bike infrastructure across the country, cycling is becoming a commuting option for more and more workers. Richard Florida looks at the places where it's easiest.
In 'Historic Shift', America's Rural Population Declines for the First Time
While the percentage of American's living outside of urban areas has been declining for some time, overall rural population loss has occurred for the first time since the Census began keeping track, reports the USDA's Economic Research Service.
Gas Tax Debate: USA Today vs. Rep. Earl Blumenauer
The USA Today editorial board argues that increasing the gas tax is the best way for states to fund transportation while Congressman Earl Blumenauer (D-OR) extolls Oregon's VMT fee pilot project, which the editors calls complex and bureaucratic.
Texting Overtakes Drinking as Cause for Teen Driving Deaths
A new study reveals that texting while driving causes more injuries and fatalities among teens in the U.S. every year than drunk driving. Many states still allow drivers to text.
Will Compact Development Define America's Next Era of Land Use?
'America 2013', a report released this week by the Urban Land Institute, presents the results of a nationwide survey on housing, transportation, and community preferences. Demographic trends indicate a continued demand for city living.
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.
One Hundred Miles
County of Mendocino
planning NEXT
The Architects Foundation
University of Cincinnati Online
Montrose County
Northern Illinois Transit Authority (NITA)
The Pocatello Development Authority
