The Daily Source of Urban Planning News

Environmental Lawsuits Fuel Roadbuilding In California

<p>California's Department of Transportation has resorted recently to forcing developers to pay impact fees to fund freeway projects, to the chagrin of developers, local governments, and taxpayer groups.</p>

April 16 - The Los Angeles Times

Toxic Sites Mapped With Google And EPA Data

<p>Combining Google's satellite mapping technology and the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency's dearth of pollution and contamination data, new web applications let users map out toxic and contaminated sites.</p>

April 16 - The San Francisco Chronicle

The Everyday Urbanism Of Brooklyn's Jamaica Avenue

<p>Away from New York City's gentrified neighborhoods, there exists the middle class, ethnically diverse, and incredibly unglamorous neighborhoods of Brooklyn's Jamaica Avenue.</p>

April 16 - The New York Times

Five Essential Characteristics Of A 'Humane Metropolis'

<p>How can the modern metropolis be a magnet for entrepreneurship and creativity?</p>

April 16 - The Washington Post Writers Group


Is The Worst Over For The Massachusetts Housing Market?

<p>Market research shows that though buyers still have an advantage, the Massachusetts housing market will shows signs of stability over the next six to twelve months.</p>

April 16 - The Boston Globe

Tokyo Project Sets Mixed Use 'Benchmark'

<p>This report looks at the new Tokyo Midtown mega-development, which the author suggests will become the new standard for mixed use.</p>

April 16 - International Herald Tribune


California Establishes Statewide Ocean Preserves

<p>The state has become the first in the nation to impose a statewide ocean preserve system, which is set to be put in place in phases beginning this summer. When fully established, 8 percent of the state's waters would be restricted from any human use.</p>

April 16 - The New York Times

Cutting McMansions Down To Size

<p>This CNN video report looks at an Atlanta city councilperson's proposal to fight back against McMansions and limit the size of houses.</p>

April 16 - CNN

Bouncing Back After The Big Dig

<p>After years in the dust of the Big Dig, Boston's North End is looking to bring in the tourists that have avoided the former construction zone for so long.</p>

April 15 - The Boston Globe

Ventura, CA Adopts Downtown Retail And Office Strategy

<p>Bill Fulton, a city council member for Ventura, California, offers an insider's view on adoption of the city's downtown retail and office strategy. The consultant's report.</p>

April 15 - Bill Fulton, Ventura City Council

One Fare Card, Three Transit Systems

<p>Transit officials in Chicago plan to introduce a fare card that riders will be able to use on the city's three public transportation systems.</p>

April 15 - The Chicago Tribune

Golf Course Development Goes International

<p>Golf courses are becoming increasingly popular among developers, especially outside of the United States. The vast majority are being built as housing projects, consuming hundreds of acres of land, causing an increased strain on water resources.</p>

April 15 - International Herald Tribune

Candidates' Opposition To Redevelopment Plan Garners Voter Support

<p>The feelings of city council candidates about a downtown revitalization plan appears to have the most sway over voters in El Paso, Texas, who are making large contirbutions to those opposing the plan.</p>

April 15 - El Paso Times

L.A. Planning Director's Three Criteria For A Neighborhood

<p>L.A. City's new Planning Director, Gail Goldberg, is now nearly as visible as the city's mayor or chief of police. She is at the beginning of a tough uphill battle to change planning in Los Angeles.</p>

April 14 - The Los Angeles Times

Memphis Newspaper Launches Online Crime-Tracking Website

<p>On its MemphisCrimeStories.com site, the Memphis Commercial-Appeal utilizes GIS technology to allow residents to plug in their street name or zip code and see recently reported crimes in their areas.</p>

April 14 - Memphis Commercial-Appeal

Manifesto for a New Pittsburgh

<p>Several bloggers outline a set of principles to guide the future growth and evolution of the city of Pittsburgh and Southwest Pennsylvania.</p>

April 14 - Pittsblog

South Carolina Urged To Better Manage Water Resources

<p>As South Carolina continues to experience accelerated growth, the state must better assess and manage its water needs, particularly in light of shared water sources between its fast-growing neighboring states.</p>

April 14 - The State

Citizens Use YouTube To Campaign Against Development Project

<p>Believed to be a first for Fort Lauderdale (and possibly citizens elsewhere) residents opposed to a 15-story, 387 foot long boat storage facility in the City have created a website and video on YouTube asking City Commissioners to stop the project.</p>

April 14 - Fort Lauderdale Observer

The Hidden Crisis of Suburban Poverty

<p>Working-class families priced out of urban areas and a squeezed middle class facing shrinking wages and unaffordable housing, are among those living in poverty in the suburbs.</p>

April 14 - AlterNet

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