The Daily Source of Urban Planning News

Ballparks Generate Little Return for Cities

Many economists agree that cities get little return in the way of good jobs and tax dollars when investing public money into building new professional sports stadiums.

March 21 - The Boston Globe

Michigan Sinks As Leaders Cling To Old Formulas

A host of new problems faces Michigan in the 21st century, yet many state leaders have outmoded strategies for success in economic and community development.

March 21 - Michigan Land Use Institute

Dubai Looks To Improve CBD

The Dubai Forum for Sustainable Urban Development draws scholars from around the world to discuss best practices for development.

March 21 - AME Info

FEATURE

Top Ten Planning Issues Of 2005

From eminent domain to "condofication", Planetizen editors outline the top 10 planning issues from 2005.

March 21 - Abhijeet Chavan

Sprawl Vs. Slower Growth: A Tough Choice

How should the D.C. area handle its explosive growth? Columnist Steven Pearlstein has some ideas.

March 21 - The Washington Post


Exurban Virginia Outside Of D.C. Fastest Growing Area In U.S.

Three of the top 10 fastest growing county's in the country lie in the Virginia exurbs surrounding Washington, D.C.

March 21 - The Washington Post

Bush Nominates New Interior Chief

Environmentalists oppose President Bush's nomination of Gov. Dirk Kempthorne of Idaho to be secretary of the Interior.

March 20 - Abhijeet Chavan


Own Your Own Riverfront Town (Again)

Four years after becoming the first town to be sold on EBay, the 83-acre Bridgeville, California, population 24, is up for sale again, this time for $1.75 million. [Thanks to Kelly Koldus for the correction.]

March 20 - The Los Angeles Times

For FEMA, The Katrina Cottage Is A No Go

The price of building and delivering a FEMA trailer is $75,000. Building a Katrina Cottage costs $60,000. While the safety and aesthetics of the former are questionable, the latter is designed to withstand hurricane force winds. What's the problem?

March 20 - www.nola.com

The Aesthetic Of The Perfectly-Groomed Lawn

Environmental historian Ted Steinberg explains American's fascination with the perfect lawn.

March 20 - The Los Angeles Times

The Power Of Google Earth For Grassroots Environmentalists

The software brings new clarity to a host of environmental issues.

March 20 - San Antonio Current

Maryland's Housing Crisis

According to recent studies, homeownership is out of the question for many Marylanders; the Governor's Task Force on Workforce Housing looks for solutions.

March 20 - The Baltimore Sun

Are Historic Districts Necessary?

The prospect of higher property values have caused many residents to form historic districts, though questions arise as to the actual historic significance of the neighborhoods.

March 20 - Wall Street Journal via Pittsburgh Post-Gazette

Property-Value Website Craze Continues

Zillow, a Seattle based website allows users to obtain approximate market values for homes all across the United States, and "Zestimating" could be the new "Googling".

March 20 - The Boston Globe

Maryland Considers New Eminent Domain Laws

Although a flurry of new bills would restrict eminent domain powers, Baltimore city officials support the practice, which resulted in successful projects like the Inner Harbor.

March 20 - Baltimore City Paper

The Nine Levels Of Cross-Country Highway Hell

The I-69 NAFTA Highway, to run from Mexico to Canada through the mid-west, has faced extensive opposition in Indiana and elsewhere for its exorbitant costs.

March 20 - Indianapolis Nuvo

Cashing In On Strangely-Configured Lots

With good land hard to find, developers are cashing in: on strangely configured sites. Think of a trapezoidal house, a 35-foot-wide golfer's retreat and a 'cow's face' plot.

March 19 - Wall Street Journal / Real Estate Journal

The Impossible American Dream

A Baltimore Sun study finds that a first-time home buyer would have to spend 71 percent of his or her income toward monthly mortgage payments.

March 19 - The Baltimore Sun

Twin Energy, Real Estate Booms In West Cause Conflict

In the Rockies, developers and oil and natural gas companies are vying for access to the same land -- but what could be the consequences for local communities?

March 19 - The Chicago Tribune

What It Takes To Go Green

From countertops made of recycled paper to bamboo floors, learn from one couple who made their eco-friendly dream house.

March 19 - The Chicago Tribune

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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.

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Learn the tools for implementing Universal Design in planning regulations.