United States
Towards 'Dynamic' Zoning
Don Elliott, author of A Better Way to Zone, argues that dynamic zoning regulations can help cities grow appropriately and avoid bottlenecks to good development.
Open Source for Planners
Mark Gorton, creator of Limewire started developing his GeoServer software in 1999. Recently Portland adopted the software to plan bus routes. Gorton wants to foster a new revolution in participatory planning.
Half of Americans Want to Move
Nearly half of Americans want to move to a different part of the country, according to a new survey. Denver and San Diego rated as the most desirable cities to relocate to.
Friday Bummer: Final Parking Spaces
A researcher of weird roadside attractions stumbled onto an unusual clash of land uses - cemeteries wedged into parking lots. Here's a collection of photos.
Older Streets Are Safer Streets
Wes Marshall and Norman Garrick, after a study of data from 130,000 car crashes in California, have determined that cities built since since 1950 have more dangerous roads than those built before 1950.
Towards Land Recyclability
Urban development needs to be re-considered as urban redevelopment, according to this column from MinnPost.
Global Warming Slips In Public's Consciousness
Global warming has slipped precipitously in the public's mind as a top concern, as the nation's recession took the number one slot in a Pew Research Center telephone poll. In fact, it ranked last in a list of 20 issues, yet 'energy' was #6.
USDA Loans Push Rural Housing
A little-known USDA program offers Rural Development Guaranteed Loans, which would allow low-income residents to buy homes in "rural" areas--places with fewer than 25,000 people. Under this guideline, many suburbs in Phoenix qualify.
ASCE Report Warns of "Deteriorating Conditions"
The American Society of Civil Engineers has released their 2009 report card on America's infrastructure. Its GPA is equivalent to a D.
Streetsblog: Advocacy Journalism and the Reconquering of the American City
The Internet is a trove of great ideas about improving cities. Filling blogs and personal websites, the vast majority of ideas out there are little more than that: ideas. New York City's Streetsblog -- now a growing nationwide force -- is transforming the conversation into action.
Coastal-Heartland Energy Divide (Amongst Democrats)
It's not Blue vs. Red, but Green vs. Brown when it comes to energy policy debates on Capitol Hill.
U.S. May Look to Replicate EU's Infrastructure Bank
According to sources in Europe, the Obama Administration has sought advice from European Union officials about emulating the EU's infrastructure bank.
Shrinking Budgets May Hurt Ridership Levels
Many commuters still find buses, trains, and subways to be more cost-effective than driving. However, mass transit funds are drying up, and increased fees and decreased service may deter riders from sticking to mass transit.
Pending Ruling By Congress May Subvert Local Zoning Authority
The telecommunications industry is pressuring Congress to add language to upcoming bill that would preempt local zoning authority if they 'take too long' to approve cell phone towers or sites.
California Towns Bailout Car Dealerships
Too important to fail? Victorville and Norco, CA have approved loans to local car dealers to keep them afloat.
Obama To EPA: Allow CA To Set Its Own Emission Standards
In a move that will disappoint auto manufacturers and labor but was met with great applause by the environmental community, Obama has taken the first step to granting CA's request for a waiver so it can set its own, stricter emission standards.
Top Ten Enlightened Suburbs
Peter Katz and Jay Walljasper pick ten notable suburbs that are breaking the mold and creating new, vibrant communities.
Real Estate Bust, Part II
America is not just overspent, it is over-malled, and the next wave of foreclosures will hit retail and other commercial real estate.
Homeowners Strike Back
Underwhelmed by government, communities, organizations (like ACORN) and ad-hoc citizen's groups are coming together to fight back against foreclosures.
Holistic Transportation Planning
This piece from Bloomberg architecture critic James Russell calls for a unified approach to building the nation's transportation infrastructure.
Pagination
Urban Design for Planners 1: Software Tools
This six-course series explores essential urban design concepts using open source software and equips planners with the tools they need to participate fully in the urban design process.
Planning for Universal Design
Learn the tools for implementing Universal Design in planning regulations.
Heyer Gruel & Associates PA
JM Goldson LLC
Custer County Colorado
City of Camden Redevelopment Agency
City of Astoria
Transportation Research & Education Center (TREC) at Portland State University
Jefferson Parish Government
Camden Redevelopment Agency
City of Claremont