United States
Move Over Suburbia... For "Prefurbia"?
Twin Cities developer and software guru Rick Harrison believes that, through innovative urban design configurations such as 'coving,' suburban areas can be transformed from "disdainable to sustainable."
How Does A Gas Tax Reduce The Deficit?
The deficit commission has proposed a 15-cent gas tax, which would fund the Highway Trust Fund for needed infrastructure projects as opposed to deficit reduction. Brooking's Robert Puentes explains why it was included.
For Cities, It's Not Coolness That Matters
In a piece for New Geography, Bill Fulton says that the cool v. uncool debate asks the wrong question. The issue is whether their economy is based on exports or imports.
Defining a National Infrastructure Bank
The idea of creating a national infrastructure bank is gathering support amongst politicians and officials at the federal level. But what is it?
Transportation Solutions Illustrated
This article from OnEarth magazine looks at ideas for improving transportation in the United States, and offers some illustrations to help explain.
HUD With an Emphasis on the 'UD'
The federal government is attempting to pay closer attention to urban issues, and its Department of Housing and Urban Development is leading the way.
LaHood Announces New HSR Winners & Losers
The loser list is short and no surprise: The governor-elects of OH and WI had campaigned against HSR projects in their states-they got their wish. The recipients of the redirected $1.2 billion were the surprise,with CA, FL, and WA being the happiest.
Opening Government Easier Said Than Done
Federal government entities are supposed to be "opening" their data, publishing it online for any and all to see. While the goal is good, the reality of meeting the requirement is creating problems.
More Immigrants Moving to Midsize Cities
According to new research, immigrant homeownership is shifting from large cities like New York and Los Angeles to smaller ones like Las Vegas and Minneapolis.
Will the Downturn Spur New American Dream?
Tara Lohan at Alternet suggests that the economic downturn is contributing to a cultural shift in terms of our aspirations for housing and neighborhood locations.
Park Funding Problems? Privatize
More parks in the U.S. should fight funding issues through privatization, writes John Stossel.
Cities Putting Public Spaces Up for Sponsorship
Hundreds of public spaces -- from public parks to subway stations -- are open for bids from sponsors for naming rights.
Top Landscape Architecture Programs Rated by DesignIntelligence
Harvard comes out on top for their master of landscape architecture program, while the best bachelor's degree, according to DesignIntelligence, is from Louisiana State University.
New LEED Draft Singles Out 'Location and Transportation'
A draft of new LEED requirements has been released for public comment, and it includes a new category that accounts for location and accessibility.
Long Topped By AC, DC is Key to Renewable Energy
Alternating current (AC) beat out direct current (DC) because it worked well over short distances. But direct current is significantly easier to control on a smart grid and travels better, says Herman J. Trabish.
Should Retrofitting Our Suburbs Take Center Stage?
In this opinion piece from The Huffington Post, Alex Becker argues that retrofitting suburban landscapes with denser development trumps all other sustainability agendas as the single most important path to a more sustainable future.
Can A Tranportation Bill Pass Without Earmarks?
Transportation bills are notorious for being chock full of earmarks, and with new attention being brought to curbing them, how will good policy get passed? A handful of experts are discussing the problem over at the National Journal.
Urban Planning Musical Takes the Stage in Brooklyn
A new musical comedy, "In the Footprint: The Battle Over Atlantic Yards," brings song and dance to the conflict over the redevelopment of the Atlantic Yards in Brooklyn. The NY Times reviews it as "fresh, inventive"...and "entertaining."
Walkable Cities, Walkable Neighborhoods
New neighborhood-level data from the walkability rating website Walk Score has broadened the view of what it means to live in a walkable city.
It's A Real Town After All
Last week saw the first murder ever in the Disney-developed (and much scrutinized) town of Celebration, Florida. Will this mean the 14-year old town of 11,000 has finally shaken off its idealized persona?
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
Montrose County
The Pocatello Development Authority
