The Daily Source of Urban Planning News

Thrown Out In Africa

For decades corrupt and unscrupulous waste disposal practices have targeted African countries for toxic dumping. Now the enormous surge in the production of e-waste is magnifying this problem.

September 22 - The Independent

Creating A Spirit Of Place

During its short history, the University of New Mexico at Taos has developed a campus spirit that reflects and complements its surrounding community and environment.

September 22 - Terrain.org: A Journal of the Built & Natural Environments

The Wal-Mart Battle In Southern California

A Wal-Mart supercenter celebrates its opening in Rosemead, while the city of Long Beach joins a growing list of cities that have adopted measures making it harder for mega-stores to open.

September 22 - The Los Angeles Times

Europe's 'Cities Of Stone'

An exhibition at Venice Architecture Biennale makes the case for using stone as a building block of future cities.

September 22 - International Network for Traditional Building, Architecture & Urbanism

Stockholm Votes In Congestion Pricing -- And Its Opponents

Sorting out the politics of Stockholm congestion charging with James Savage, editor-in-chief of the Swedish, English-language newspaper, <em>The Local</em>.

September 22 - Streetsblog


It's The Middle Class, Not The Creative Class

Joel Kotkin argues that cities need to win back the middle class by focusing on their basic needs -- affordable 'market-rate' housing, schools, and public infrastructure -- if they are to be genuinely successful at urban revitalization.

September 21 - Democracy

Smart Growth, Defined

Thirty-two organizations have come together to release "This Is Smart Growth," a new publication from ICMA and the Smart Growth Network, which illustrates and explains smart growth concepts and values, using 40 examples from around the country.

September 21 - Smart Growth Online


Are We In The Midst Of A Downtown Comeback?

The heyday of the American downtown was short -- from 1880-1920, so if we are experiencing a downtown 'comeback', exactly what are we coming back from? Guest blogger Michael Manville examines the what, how and why of downtown revitalization.

September 21 - Urban Planning Research Blog

Duany Takes On Scotland

Architect and urban planner Andres Duany has been hired to plan a new town near Inverness, Scotland -- one that he assures will not resemble Seaside.

September 21 - The Guardian

Canada's Cities Demand Funding For Transit, Housing

With growing need for new infrastructure in Canada's growing urban centers, city officials are seeking to reclaim some of the revenue they send to Ottawa.

September 21 - The Toronto Star

Waiting For Recovery, Eager To Plan

More than half of the residents in the small unincorporated community of Henderson Point, Mississippi, turned out to help begin planning for the rebuilding of their completely devastated community.

September 21 - Biloxi Sun-Herald

Re-Routing The Big River

To reduce the amount of land lost near New Orleans and the mouth of the Mississippi River, scientists and public officials are considering a grand re-routing of the river in hopes of recreating a delta that is rapidly disappearing.

September 21 - The Independent

Bio-Diesel As A Rural Development Strategy

Having become the world leader in ethanol production, Brazil turns to bio-diesel, with a policy that is intended to benefit small, family farms so as to keep them on their land, and benefit President Luiz da Silva in his reelection bid.

September 21 - Los Angeles Times

Flat Roofs Have Fans And Foes

As the price of land increases, many real estate developers are looking at flat-roof designs as a means of increasing the square footage of houses, much to the chagrin of historical preservationists and municipal officials.

September 21 - The Wall Street Journal

'Fractal' Design Makes More With Less

In a comparative study of English towns, one small village with a compact and walkable design has been shown to seem much larger to pedestrians than a comparable area in a big city -- mainly because there is more to see there.

September 21 - Western Mail

After 50 Years, Waterfront May Be Redeveloped

With a population cut in half and an almost abandoned waterfront area, the city of Buffalo is thinking redevelopment. Actually, the city has spent nearly 50 years thinking redevelopment. Now steps are actually being taken to improve the waterfront.

September 21 - The New York Times

Al Gore Delivers Major Speech On Global Warming

In a major "policy speech" Al Gore proposes a strategy to combat global warming. He is also working on a new book to be published next year.

September 20 - Abhijeet Chavan

Is L.A. More Crowded Than New York?

In "L.A. the King of Sprawl, Not at All," Robert Bruegmann reports that Los Angeles is one of the densest areas in the country. His article reinforces the notion that L.A. is already a very dense place, but is it true?

September 20 - Livable Places

Cuba's Crumbling Infrastructure

Even as its economy improves, Cuba instructure is falling apart.

September 20 - The Los Angeles Times

Atlanta's MARTA System Looks To Change Image

Care to ride a bus shaped like a fish? Sample a new sofa on a rapid-transit train? See locally produced artworks? MARTA's marketing consultant says you might. But the system's riders just want on-time arrivals.

September 20 - The Atlanta Journal-Constitution

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.