The Daily Source of Urban Planning News

Sliver Of Chinese Land Diminishes As Deserts Encroach

Deserts on each side are moving in on one of few agriculturally viable pieces of land in Northern China's Minqin county. Thousands have been displaced as sands engulf land and the food it once grew.

June 23 - The New York Times via International Herald Tribune

Developing The Un-Park In San Francisco's Presidio

A stream of high-dollar developments have been popping up in San Francisco's Presidio, a former Army base and currently the only park in the National Park Service's collection that is operated privately. Some feel the developments don't fit the site.

June 23 - The San Francisco Chronicle

Report Links High Car Crash Fatalities To Sprawl

The Cascadia Scorecard documents an emerging body of research indicating that car-centered urban design contributes to a high death and injury toll from car crashes and a high obesity rate, among other ills.

June 23 - Sightline Institute

Ancient Arizona Sites Ruined By Sprawl And ATVs

The best volunteer efforts of the Arizona Site Steward Program cannot prevent looting and other damage to the state's archeological heritage.

June 23 - Tucson Weekly

Urban Gentrification Typifies Growing Economic Polarization

A snapshot of urban gentrification in San Francisco shows what is happening throughout the U.S., according to a new Brookings Report. The middle class is not only losing ground, but entire neighborhoods, and the consequences are far-reaching.

June 23 - The San Francisco Chronicle


Quirky Developer Looks To Add Retail Component To Miami's Condo Boom

Developer Mark Siffin, who some believe to have a troubled past, is planning to build Citisquare Center, a two block commercial center, to compliment Miami's downtown highrise condo boom.

June 23 - The Miami Herald

Poor State of U.S. Cities' Disaster Planning of 'Significant National Concern'

A new report from the Department of Homeland Security shows that, despite 9/11 and recent natural disasters, most U.S. city and state governments have not implemented adequate disaster plans.

June 23 - Michael Dudley


Cities Dreaming When It Comes To Sports Arena-Led Development?

Despite an established track record demonstrating little or no profit in building state-of-the-art arenas, cities across the United States continue to build these structures with dreams of urban renewal.

June 23 - The Wall Street Journal

How The Automobile Changed Southern California

Los Angeles Times Special Commemorative Edition looks at how cars have defined the culture and identity of Southern California.

June 22 - The Los Angeles Times

Boston Rents On The Rise

For the first time since 2001, monthly rental rates in the greater Boston area are beginning to rise.

June 22 - The Boston Globe

Radio Report Looks At Improving L.A. River

From increasing riverside parks to removing the concrete riverbed, many ideas for improving the Los Angeles River have been simmering for years. This radio report introduces many in the city who are calling on planners to revive the forgotten river.

June 22 - Living on Earth

City Council Approves Dallas Comprehensive Plan

The plan seeks to expand the city's mixed use development and improve transit options. An alternative version of the plan, recommended by the City Plan Commission, was voted down as the city council opted for the original, slightly amended plan.

June 22 - Dallas Morning News

Australia's Suburban Success Story

Globalization and suburbanization have boosted Sydney's economy, despite the protests of "enemies" of such trends.

June 22 - The New City (Australia)

Is Sprawl Good For Montreal?

Wendell Cox argues for the "upside of sprawl", or "suburbanization" as he prefers to call it, in Montreal.

June 22 - The Montreal Gazette

Stockholm's Congestion Tax Works

The toll cordon around central Stockholm has reduced weekday motor vehicle traffic. Will voters support its continued operation in an advisory referendum vote in September 2006?

June 22 - The Local

From Brooklyn: Open Letter to Frank Gehry

A novelist takes on Gehry's gargantuan Atlantic Yards project, proposed for Brooklyn.

June 22 - Slate

Wal-Mart And The Jewish Diaspora

Due to the ever-growing presence of Wal-Mart, Benton County, Arkansas, is seeing a rising population of Jewish families, and generally high religious diversity.

June 22 - The New York Times

Are Cities Good For The World?

We are entering the "urban century": the majority of the world's population now lives in an urban setting. Is this good or bad? An article presents the cases for and against cities.

June 22 - The Ottawa Citizen

Georgia Law Slows Booming Latino Housing Market

Georgia law targetting illegal immigrants drives legal residents away from buying homes.

June 21 - The Los Angeles Times

Supreme Court Wetlands Decision: Depends On Your Point Of View

The Supreme Court rules that the federal government does not have the power to reach far upstream to protect every wetland in a watershed. Depending on your choice of news source, the decision protects the environment, or limits regulation.

June 21 - Christian Science Montior

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