The Daily Source of Urban Planning News
Dallas's Ambivalent Commemoration of a Decisive Day
On the eve of the 50th anniversary of the assassination of John F. Kennedy, Mark Lamster examines Dallas's efforts to commemorate the tragedy. A new memorial is the latest example of the city's "ambivalent response to the events of November 1963."
A Call for Planning to Better Address Social Issues
Does planning possess the power to address the issues people care about? Kate Henderson, with the UK's Town and Country Planning Association, discusses the results of a year-long study into how planning can help tackle poverty and exclusion.
Where in America is Cycling Growing the Most?
Detroit is the unlikely name atop the League of American Bicyclists' new list of cities that have grown their share of bike commuters the most between 1990-2012.
The Promise and Peril of Eco-Crowdfunding
Officials in Oregon, New York, and California have embraced crowdfunding as a way to push forward with environmental projects in a time of constrained budgets. Though the emerging tool is attractive to many, others see danger.
Congestion Driving Canadians Back to Cities, Says New Report
A new report by multinational professional services firm PricewaterhouseCoopers (PwC) calls the suburban-to-urban movement of Canadian residents and businesses one of the most significant current real estate trends.
An Eloquent Visualization of State-to-State Migration
Data analyst and graphics wizard Chris Walker has created a stunning interactive visualization that depicts the migration patterns between each American state in 2012.
Pennsylvania Gas Tax Hike Clears House
In a dramatic 24-hour turnaround, the House voted to support Gov. Tom Corbett's proposal to lift the cap on the state's oil franchise tax that could potentially add 28 cents to gas prices. A prevailing wage issue caused the bill's defeat earlier.
Lessons From a Failed Anti-Highway Campaign
A decade-long campaign to stop the $2.6 billion Ohio River Bridges project in Louisville has apparently lost out to intrenched interests. With the help of the campaign's founders, Angie Schmitt examines where the popular grassroots effort went wrong.
Is the VA Doing Enough to Protect Its Historic Properties?
With thousands of historic landmarks in its possession, the U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs plays a key role in protecting the country's historic heritage. A new study claims the agency is neglecting its duty.
With Bipartisan Bills, U.S. Congress Looks to Improve Bike and Pedestrian Safety
Bipartisan groups of legislators introduced identical bills in the U.S. House and Senate last week that would compel the USDOT and states to measure and improve the safety of non-motorized transportation users.
Apple "Spaceship" Gets Approval to Land in Cupertino
Steve Jobs's final product got the go-ahead from an enthusiastic Cupertino City Council yesterday. The company's controversial new headquarters, dubbed the "spaceship campus", forgoes the tech trend towards urban offices for a pastoral setting.
How Parking Meters Turned Around a Struggling Downtown
The revival of Old Pasadena is one of the truly great urban success stories from the past few decades. The area's comeback was not based on shifting demographics or "political will", writes Colin Marshall, but a less sexy foundation: parking reform.
Chicago Seeks to Take Advantage of New Transit-Boosting Grants
The Chicago Transit Authority (CTA) has become the country's first transit agency to receive Federal Transit Administration (FTA) approval to apply for its new “core capacity” grants. The funds would be used to upgrade Red and Purple Line service.
10 Ways Cities Are Turning Back Time
It's back to the future for global cities, now that we've realized what a mess the 20th century was.
Despite Threats, Interest in Using Eminent Domain to Stop Foreclosures Grows
Since it announced a plan to combat foreclosures by using eminent domain, Richmond, CA has been beset by opposition from Wall Street and Washington. Despite the threats, other cities are exploring using the controversial tool.
Too Tired to Vote? Connecting Commute Times to Political Apathy
Have a long commute? If so, you are likely not very engaged in politics with one major exception - higher incomes can counter commuting stress. But for the rest of us, it may explain why we aren't as involved in civic issues we would like.
Technology, Talent, and Tolerance: The Creative Culture
Creativity isn’t a theory about hipsters and the latte set. The key driver of a resilient economy is the same thing that binds us as humans – our shared creativity. Hazel Borys reviews Richard Florida's latest creative culture ideas.
Could a "Broken Windows" Approach Work for Traffic Crashes?
The "Broken Windows" theory of policing - targeting minor crimes to reduce major ones - has been credited with helping to bring down violent crime rates in several cities. Could such an approach reduce traffic violence?
Does Vancouver Ban Herald the Death of the Doorknob?
Amendments to Vancouver's building code adopted in September will require lever handles on all doors in newly built housing beginning next March. Could such code changes soon be adopted far and wide?
Are Diverse Communities Discordant With Cohesive Ones?
A study utilizing simulations of more than 20 million virtual “neighborhoods” finds a negative relationship between cohesion and diversity. The findings could alter how we understand and build social capital within neighborhoods and across cities.
Heyer Gruel & Associates PA
Ada County Highway District
Institute for Housing and Urban Development Studies (IHS)
City of Grandview
Harvard GSD Executive Education
Toledo-Lucas County Plan Commissions
Salt Lake City
NYU Wagner Graduate School of Public Service
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.
