The Daily Source of Urban Planning News

FEATURE

Planners who have a hard time persuading elected officials or the public at large should take a cue from the late attorney Johnnie Cochran and come up with a phrase that will stick in the minds of citizens.

August 14 - Rick Bishop, AICP

Blighted and forgotten waterfront areas are on track for development in Scotland using 19th century new towns as inspiration.

August 14 - BBC News

More and more Americans are trading their large houses for a more 'cozy' place to call home.

August 14 - MSN Money

Officials cite several energy-cutting projects in their call for demand management to reduce energy consumption.

August 13 - The Maui News

In a reversal to 2005's trend to "buy first, and ask questions later", more and more prospective buyers are taking a cautious approach to buying their vacation home.

August 13 - The New York Times

A New Jersey township that has been a leader in downtown planning is planning to integrate arts-based development into its successful downtown mix.

August 13 - The Star-Ledger

A Bay Area county will be the first in the region to take advantage of a new state law that allows cities to swap meeting state-mandated, affordable housing requirements for cash donations to cities which build affordable housing within same county.

August 13 - San Francisco Examiner, Peninsula edition

Travelers are increasingly out of luck as bed and breakfast inns across the country revert back to being private homes.

August 13 - The Wall Street Journal

How environmental activism has changed.

August 13 - The Nation

Idaho Rep. Gov. Risch reversed his predecessor's position on allowing new coal plants to be built in Idaho by opting out of a federal mercury emissions trading program. By doing so, the state has shown bi-partisan opposition to coal power plants.

August 12 - The Idaho Statesman

Planners are spooked by a Measure 37 look-a-like bill that spills over into Idaho.

August 12 - The Boise Weekly

Washington State Dept. of transportation offers 3 proposals for replacing the Alaskan Way Viaduct.

August 12 - The Seattle Times

When jobs move to the suburbs, does the commute suffer? It depends on the industry, but overall, not much, if at all, suggests UCLA planning professor and blogger Randall Crane.

August 12 - Randall Crane's Urban Planning Research Blog

50 acres of woodland are up for sale in Maryland, and while a developer has scoped the land as a good site for 25 homes, local residents are pressuring local and state officials to employ a little-used open space funding program to buy up the land.

August 12 - The Baltimore Sun

A promising new field of clean, alternative energy lies in the oceans and rivers. Capturing energy from waves and tides is no longer fantasy but gaining much attention; even power companies are investing in the field.

August 12 - The New York Times

Rising temperatures are changing native Alaskan's way of life.

August 11 - Voice Of America

A report by Institute for Urban & Regional Planning at Boise State University looks at competitiveness and quality of life of the Treasure Valley.

August 11 - Boise State University Public Policy Center

Developers are having to wait longer for project approvals, which may slow the city's recovery from Hurricane Katrina. HUD has denied the city's request to hire more staff using federal money.

August 11 - New Orleans City Business

Local land use regulations help define the character of cities, towns, counties, and entire regions, directly affecting the composition of inhabitants by facilitating or inhibiting rental properties and low-income residents. This comprehensive survey

August 11 - The Brookings Institution Metropolitan Policy Program

The recent building spree of high rises in Philadelphia requires more oversight from planners if it is to truly benefit the city, argues one critic.

August 11 - The Philadelphia Inquirer