The Daily Source of Urban Planning News

Good planning can rebuild a sustainable New Orleans but politics is moving in the other direction observes Neal Peirce.

May 14 - The Washington Post Writers Group

A review of a documentary by Al Gore about global warming.

May 13 - RealClimate

Dan Savage weighs in on the city's plan to increase the number of buses in circulation.

May 13 - The Seattle Stranger

The National Park Service has signed a contract to run two hybrid solar and wind powered ferries to carry visitors to Alcatraz.

May 13 - Bluewater Network Press Release

Eager to provide relief to hurting motorists, state legislators and governors do what they can to roll back price increases, despite being told the reductions may not be seen at the pump.

May 13 - Associated Press

Renewable fuels received a big boost from the country's second largest oil company. After an investment in ethanol fuel, Chevron acquired 22% of a Texas soybean biodiesel plant, meaning that biodiesel production in the U.S. will increase over 50%.

May 13 - The Los Angeles Times

In another elaborate hoax, "The Yes Men" impersonators pose as representatives of Halliburton at a conference and present a device to "solve global warming." Attendees fail to catch on and ask serious questions.

May 12 - Democracy Now

Using a regional transport model, researchers find that rail generates congestion-reduction benefits that exceed rail subsidies.

May 12 - Resources for the Future

The City Council of Riviera Beach, Florida, in an effort to outmaneuver the Florida Legislature, approved an agreement with a developer enabling a $2.4 billion waterfront redevelopment project that relies on eminent domain.

May 12 - Palm Beach Post

The City of Miami is set to change its antiquated zoning laws, hoping for a "grandly ambitious zoning overhaul".

May 12 - The Miami Herald

A new report from Save the Children shows that the United States has the second-highest infant mortality rate in the developed world, and that mortality rates for African American babies are double that of the national average.

May 12 - CNN

Reversing a steady decline in population since the 1950s, Census estimates show growth since 2003. People are moving back to St. Louis due to investment downtown and throughout the city.

May 12 - USA Today

A new movie, opening today, looks at the work of Frank Gehry.

May 12 - The New York Times

Anxious to reduce gas prices, New York legislators agreed to reduce the gasoline tax by four to nine cents per gallon. Lost revenues could equal $450 million/year.

May 12 - The New York Times

AlterNet reports on a peak oil event in New York City, featuring James Howard Kunstler and Julian Darley, and calls into question Kunstler's use of language to frame the peak oil debate.

May 12 - AlterNet

The National Trust for Historic Preservation has included a staircase, rendered historically significant by its affiliation with September 11, on its annual list of the 11 most endangered historic places.

May 12 - The New York Times

Los Angeles City Council hopes to slow gentrification of downtown by approving a moratorium on conversion or demolition of low-cost hotels.

May 11 - The Los Angeles Times

The "median" planner is 42 years old, has been in the field for 13 years, specializes in community development and redevelopment, and earns $64,000. States with highest salaries are D.C., California and New Jersey.

May 11 - American Planning Association

An intact 19th century neighborhood has been placed on the National Trust for Historic Preservation's annual list of the nation's Top 11 Most Endangered Historic Places.

May 11 - The Cincinnati Enquirer

While so far only a "white-collar movement," the growing trend of biking to work is leading many cities to provide new amenities to bike commuters, and the federal government to propose employer tax breaks for each employee cycling to work.

May 11 - The Wall Street Journal