The Daily Source of Urban Planning News

Gas prices will drop due to surging U.S. oil production according to an U.S. Energy Dept. report. Another report from the International Energy Agency points to surging carbon dioxide emissions, not from oil but from coal burning, largely from China.

January 4 - The New York Times - Energy & Environment

Michael Sorkin bemoans the trickle-down planning ethos of the Bloomberg era and sees the need to increase the city's resiliency as an opportunity to "return to the task of physical planning attuned to local desires".

January 4 - Architectural Record

We regret we weren't able to deliver this valuable information last month, but apparently a "hangover taxi" stocked with orange juice, sunglasses, and Tylenol has been offering free rides to stricken Londoners.

January 3 - Los Angeles Times

Led by the nonprofit David Suzuki Foundation, a volunteer workforce of "park rangers" is deploying creative green interventions along private properties and public spaces throughout Toronto to create a citywide green corridor.

January 3 - Fast Company Co.Exist

Launched last summer, the regional bike share program is looking to expand this spring to one thousand bikes in one hundred kiosks, according to Air District officials who administer the five-city, three-county pilot program and view it as a success.

January 3 - San Francisco Chronicle

With the U.S. ranking 35th out of 148 countries in Internet bandwidth and anywhere from 14th to 31st in average connection speed, experts are warning that the country's broadband deficit could harm its economic and technological competitiveness.

January 3 - The New York Times

As part of its quest to become the "Alternative Energy Capital of the World", Lancaster, California will require all new single-family homes to incorporate solar energy systems beginning Jan. 1, 2014.

January 3 - The Civic Bee

A new study by IHS Automotive predicts that 54 million self-driving cars will be on the road by 2035, and that every car will be autonomous by 2050.

January 3 - Los Angeles Times

Over twenty years in office, Mayor Thomas Menino had a considerable impact on Boston's built environment. For Robert Campbell, the Mayor's most substantial accomplishment was in recapturing "the places in between".

January 3 - Boston Globe

Streetsblog has announced the winners of its annual readers' poll on the year's best in sustainable transportation and livable communities.

January 3 - DC.Streetsblog

BLOG POST

A new study claims that public transit does not reduce traffic congestion. It is a good example of how not to evaluate this impact. When measured correctly, high quality transit is found to reduce congestion and increase transport system efficiency.

January 3 - Todd Litman

While secretary of state John Kerry has been jetting around the world pushing for peace in the world's hot spots, the State Department has been undergoing a top-down pivot to address a topic no less daunting: global warming.

January 3 - The New York Times

Sounds counterintuitive doesn't it? But a new study by researchers at George Mason University suggests that eliminating bus stops can drastically improve service without substantially reducing the number of riders served.

January 3 - Governing

As cities across the Unites States look to lure immigrants to grow their populations and economies, many are turning to a program in New York for advice. Kirk Semple looks at the city's pioneering Office of Immigrant Affairs.

January 2 - Jonathan Nettler

When Mayor Rahm Emanuel sought out his first transportation chief, he lured Gabe Klein from Washington D.C. This week it was announced that Klein's successor had been found much closer to home: the city's transit authority.

January 2 - Chi.Streetsblog

The Powellhurst-Gilbert neighborhood of Portland, OR has seen a wave of new development over the past two decades. But without the expansion of basic services and amenities, the area is struggling to integrate newcomers. Is poor planning to blame?

January 2 - The Oregonian

China's horrendously polluted air has made international headlines of late. Though its extents are less obvious, the country's mounting soil pollution crisis carries equally serious ramifications.

January 2 - The New York Times

Following Canada Post’s announcement of plans to replace urban door-to-door mail service with community mail box nodes, The Royal Architectural Institute of Canada (RAIC) cautions that careful planning and design of these retrofits is critical.

January 2 - Spacing

Sir Norman Foster has put forth plans for a 135-mile network of elevated cycle pathways dubbed "SkyCycle". In addition to its enormous price tag, the scheme faces practical concerns from cycling advocates.

January 2 - Daily Mail

That could be one explanation for the popularity of the I-95 Express Lanes, called Lexus Lanes by opponents because of the toll paid by solo drivers. While the toll has increased, so has their popularity with drivers, even with the maximum $7 toll.

January 2 - WLRN