United States
Bush Nominates New Interior Chief
Environmentalists oppose President Bush's nomination of Gov. Dirk Kempthorne of Idaho to be secretary of the Interior.
The Aesthetic Of The Perfectly-Groomed Lawn
Environmental historian Ted Steinberg explains American's fascination with the perfect lawn.
Are Historic Districts Necessary?
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.
Property-Value Website Craze Continues
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".
The Nine Levels Of Cross-Country Highway Hell
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.
Cashing In On Strangely-Configured Lots
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.
What It Takes To Go Green
From countertops made of recycled paper to bamboo floors, learn from one couple who made their eco-friendly dream house.
Using Good Design To Reduce The Impact Of Parking
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.]
Beyond the Gale?
Who will succeed Gale Norton as head of the Interior Department? Grist Magazine speculates.
Large Foreclosure Increase Linked To Risky Borrowing
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.
Blondie -- The Next Great Urban Planner?
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".
Dreier: Katrina and Power in America
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.
Waterfronts Revitalized Across U.S.
From East St. Louis to Louisville, Kentucky, cities are beginning to realize visions of riverfront glory.
Study: State Anti-Predatory Lending Laws Successful
A study of 5 million home loans made from 1998 to 2000 shows that state laws save homeowners billions of dollars each year.
First McMansions, Now McLofts
A deluxe imitation of the urban loft is coming to a suburb near you.
Can A Border Fence Curb Illegal Immigration?
Robert Sameulson is uneasy about advocating a fence along the U.S.-Mexico border but believes it may be a way to curb illegal immigration.
Then: Seat Belts; Now: Home Sprinkler Systems
Proponents argue that sprinklers should be mandatory for all new single-family homes, and predict a revolution in consumer safety.
Do New Stadiums Really Spur Economic Development?
Baseball team owners are having less and less success marketing their teams in new cities, or generating public funding for stadium construction. What gives?
States Step Up On Infrastructure
Lagging in other sectors, public financing of state roads and other infrastructure services has increased.
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
