United States

The planning pundits can agree on some ideas, but have both failed to address a key point, writes C. Kenneth Orski.

March 23, 2006 - The Slatin Report

A clean air regulation by the Bush administration that would have allowed power plants to avoid installing new pollution controls was overturned by a federal appeals court.

March 22, 2006 - New York Times via Spartanburg Herald Journal

New York and California have the most toxic air in the nation according to a new study released by the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency.

March 22, 2006 - The Los Angeles Times

Despite years of efforts on the part of planners and governments to promote "smart growth", census data shows that the fastest-growing counties in the U.S. are "suburban, rural or a mixture of both."

March 22, 2006 - MSNBC

Environmentalists urge a Senate committee to restore and protect the five Great Lakes.

March 21, 2006 - The Chicago Tribune

Sixty million acres -- nearly one acre per five people in the country -- are unprotected, unzoned, roadless areas. Author T.A. Barron looks at efforts to protect these lands.

March 21, 2006 - The Los Angeles Times

Many economists agree that cities get little return in the way of good jobs and tax dollars when investing public money into building new professional sports stadiums.

March 21, 2006 - The Boston Globe

Environmentalists oppose President Bush's nomination of Gov. Dirk Kempthorne of Idaho to be secretary of the Interior.

March 20, 2006 - Abhijeet Chavan

Environmental historian Ted Steinberg explains American's fascination with the perfect lawn.

March 20, 2006 - The Los Angeles Times

The prospect of higher property values have caused many residents to form historic districts, though questions arise as to the actual historic significance of the neighborhoods.

March 20, 2006 - Wall Street Journal via Pittsburgh Post-Gazette

Zillow, a Seattle based website allows users to obtain approximate market values for homes all across the United States, and "Zestimating" could be the new "Googling".

March 20, 2006 - The Boston Globe

The I-69 NAFTA Highway, to run from Mexico to Canada through the mid-west, has faced extensive opposition in Indiana and elsewhere for its exorbitant costs.

March 20, 2006 - Indianapolis Nuvo

With good land hard to find, developers are cashing in: on strangely configured sites. Think of a trapezoidal house, a 35-foot-wide golfer's retreat and a 'cow's face' plot.

March 19, 2006 - Wall Street Journal / Real Estate Journal

From countertops made of recycled paper to bamboo floors, learn from one couple who made their eco-friendly dream house.

March 19, 2006 - The Chicago Tribune

Parking requirements can overwhelm a housing development, particularly an affordable one. Design Advisor offers several design ideas to help reduce the impact of parking on development and your residents. [Includes photos and examples.]

March 17, 2006 - Affordable Housing Design Advisor

Who will succeed Gale Norton as head of the Interior Department? Grist Magazine speculates.

March 17, 2006 - Grist Magazine

A new study shows that the number of households entering some stage of foreclosure is up 45% over this time last year -- one for every 1,117 U.S. households.

March 15, 2006 - MSN Real Estate

On the eve of her introduction into the Rock 'n Roll Hall of Fame, music superstar Deborah Harry of Blondie says that her "future will be in architecture and urban planning".

March 15, 2006 - Newsday

The Katrina disaster exposed the major fault lines of American society and politics: class and race. It offers lessons for urban scholars and practitioners, writes Peter Dreier of Occidental College in this academic journal article.

March 13, 2006 - Urban Affairs Review

March 13, 2006 - Michael Lewyn