The Daily Source of Urban Planning News

Empty Swings

Operate Parks Like a Business

Mindy Craig makes the case for an evolution in the management of parks in an era of shrinking general fund allocations.

July 5 - Parks and Recreation Business

BLOG POST

What Makes a 'Farmers' Market?'

What constitutes a farmers' market, rather than an outdoor or public market?

July 5 - Lisa Feldstein

Google maps screengrab of the United States

Friday Funday: New Google Maps Game Tests Your Geography Knowledge

If you're obsessed with trivia and maps, prepare to lose some hours.

July 4 - CityLab

Fracking Opponents in New York Achieve Landmark Legal Victory

In a huge victory for fracking opponents and a major blow to the shale gas drilling industry, the New York Court of Appeals, the state's highest, ruled on June 30 that municipalities can use zoning laws to enact fracking bans or moratoria.

July 4 - USA Today

Census: More Americans Living in 'Poverty Areas'

In the most recent analysis to come from a bounty of data releases this week from the U.S. Census, Governing examines the growth of poverty, especially the areas where it concentrates.

July 4 - Governing


New Census Data Shows the Country's Age

Christopher Ingraham breaks down recent data from the U.S. Census that shows which counties are getting younger and which are getting older.

July 4 - The Washington Post - Wonkblog

America the Brewery-ful

Many communities around the country have welcomed breweries for their economic development and placemaking potential. Recent data from the U.S. Economic Census shows just how much the beer industry is growing.

July 4 - U.S. Census Bureau


Los Angeles River Kayak

Los Angeles River Visionary Reflects on $1 Billion Recommendation for Revitalization

When the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers announced its preference for a $1.08 billion plan to restore habitat in the Los Angeles River, many credited Lewis MacAdams's fight to change the city's relationship with its waterway over nearly three decades.

July 3 - The Planning Report

Study: Oregon Bikers Abide Red Lights

Move aside, myth of the reckless biker who flouts the law at every possible junction.

July 3 - Bike Portland

Planning 'Beyond Blight' in Flint, Michigan

Luke Telendar updates the planning efforts of Flint, Michigan, which earlier this year released its first new master plan since 1960, "Imagine Flint," and has more recently released a blight

July 3 - Center for Community Progress

City Planners

How to Work with Planning Consultants

Los Angeles County planner Clement Lau review of the book "Working with Planning Consultants."

July 3 - UrbDeZine

Trans Alaska Oil Pipeline

BLOG POST

Land Use Planning Crucial for Mitigating Pipeline Hazards

Open Access to Anna Osland's Article, "Using Planning to Mitigate Hazards from Hazardous Liquid and Natural Gas Transmission Pipelines." Link here: http://goo.gl/bDYGJg. Osland finds land use planning is overlooked in N.C. pipeline networks.

July 3 - JPER

Redefining Affordability in the Most Expensive Neighborhoods

Ryan Hutchins reports on the details of a recent negotiation between Helen Rosenthal, Upper West Side City Council representative, and the developer of a 1,000-unit residential project in Hell's Kitchen.

July 3 - Capital New York

Transportation Network Companies Struggling with ADA Compliance

Ted Trautman provides a thorough investigation of the actions (or lack thereof) of transportation network companies to provide access for customers with special needs.

July 3 - Next City

Comparing Naperville and Joliet: the Underappreciated Importance of Legacy

Pete Saunders compares the disparate experiences of two Chicago suburbs, Naperville and Joliet, who took different approaches to legacy.

July 3 - The Corner Side Yard

Federal Transportation Funds to Decrease August 1

U.S. Treasury Secretary Anthony Foxx warned State DOT officials in a July 1 letter that due to declining funds in the highway account of the Highway Trust Fund, he will implement a new reimbursement policy that may cause some states to halt projects.

July 3 - The Huffington Post

Dubuque Iowa Historic Millwork District

FEATURE

This Dubuque, Iowa Master Plan Is a Rust Belt Victory

The Historic Millwork District Master Plan, approved in 2009, provides exemplary solutions in historic preservation, parking requirements, and environmental standards, all now rewarding the city of Dubuque, Iowa with economic development.

July 3 - Andrew Dresdner

Pittsburgh's Mellon Square Re-Opened After Six-Year Wait

Named as one of the APA's Great Public Spaces in 2008, Mellon Square in Pittsburgh was badly in need of repair. Earlier this month, the park completed a $10 million restoration process that launched in 2009.

July 2 - ASLA The Dirt

Housing Costs Driving Aspiring Musicians Out of Nashville

Boom times in Nashville have some in the Music City worried that as musicians and other artists struggle with the cost of living, the city will lose its identity as a cultural and creative capital.

July 2 - Save Country Music

BART Rendering

Explaining the Limitations of Travel Time Comparisons

Jarrett Walker details the nuances of travel time comparisons, following on a recent Boston Magazine article comparing MBTA transit service to the new Bridj private bus service.

July 2 - Human Transit

Post News

Top Books

An annual review of books related to planning.

Top Schools

The definitive ranking of graduate planning programs.

100 Most Influential Urbanists

The who's who of urbanism, according to Planetizen readers.

Urban Planning Creators You Should Know

A short list of voices on social, video, and podcasting platforms.

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.