United States
Air Pollution Strongly Linked to Heart Ailments
A new report from the Health Effect Institute concludes that there is a strong correlation between exposure to traffic and heart ailments.
Are School Gardens a "Cruel Trick"?
Caitlin Flanagan, writing in The Atlantic magazine, believes that the "edible schoolyard" movement is a waste of time that would be better spent having kids learn from books.
The Geography of Netflix
By utilizing rental data Netflix makes freely available, the New York Times has published a Google Maps mashup illustrating the most popular rental titles in each zip code.
Host City List Narrowed for U.S. World Cup Bid
In its bid to host the World Cup in either 2018 or 2022, the United States has narrowed its list of possible host cities down to 18. Notably missing are San Francisco and Chicago.
Why is Prefab Impossible to Get Built?
A new study out in JAPA this week details the fire codes, zoning codes, subdivision regulations, etc., that prevent manufactured housing from being built.
The Buck No Longer Stops At Cost-Effectiveness
Transportation Secretary Ray LaHood said yesterday that he would rescind a 2005 rule from the Bush administration that cost-effectiveness trump all other factors when approving transit projects.
The Challenge of Municipal Wi-Fi
This article from Government Technology looks at the idea of municipal Wi-Fi Internet access and why it has struggled to take off.
Lost, and Restored in 2009
The National Trust for Historic Preservation takes a look at the most significant buildings saved or restored in 2009, and the 'most crushing losses.'
Obama's Environmental Record
While many of his supporters have criticized President Obama for not acting far or fast enough on their respective causes, Daniel J. Weiss argues that the President's environmental achievements in his first year were significant.
The Fittest Cities in America
Travel + Leisure has released its list of America's "fittest" cities.
Electric Cars Must Wait (For Lower Battery Costs)
A new study from the Boston Consulting Group concludes that gasoline powered-vehicles will predominate till at least 2020; doubtful of their ability to attract customers, contradicting brighter industry forecasts predominantly due to battery costs.
Stimulus-Funded Road Projects' Effect On Unemployment: None
NPR interviews the AP reporter who conducted an analysis of stimulus spending in one particular area - road construction. His finding was that in addition to having no effect on total unemployment, it didn't improve construction employment either.
SimBaghdad
New video game-like programs are enabling the U.S. military to train for deployment in the middle east. One program is modeled off the urban planning computer game SimCity.
Why Americans Are Moving Less
The latest Census data indicates that Americans are moving less than they used to. The New York Times asks a group of experts in demographics, sociology and urban issues why.
Walkability and Housing Values
Walkability is gaining ground in the determination of housing values.
In Praise of Mid-Century Modern Planning
Richard Reep decries the New Urbanists for ignoring the era from 1945-1955, when cars were part of the landscape but not the dominant force. He believes the planning of that time could be a perfect middle ground.
Jane Jacobs, Gentrifier?
Prof. Sharon Zukin argues that Jacobs had "a gentrifier’s appreciation of urban authenticity" in her new book, Naked City.
What is the New "Normal" in Housing Prices?
Ed Glaeser argues that housing needs to be viewed as a commodity like any other, rather than an investment.
New Smog Standard A Victory for Science, Says NYT
In this editorial, the Times strongly supports the new, more stringent ozone standard proposed by the EPA. It views the new proposal as a sign that the Obama administration looks toward science, not industry, to set environmental and health standards
Supply and Demand for Big Boxes
The market for big box spaces plunged during the recession as companies like Circuit City folded. But demand is very slightly picking up, and in some places it never went away.
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.
Eagle County Government
Harvard University Graduate School of Design
Nashville Planning Department
The Architects Foundation
University of Cincinnati Online
The Pocatello Development Authority
The Urban Renewal Agency of the City of Pocatello
Journal of the American Planning Association
