The Daily Source of Urban Planning News

Are U.S. Cities Effectively Desegregated?

Sam Roberts reports on a new study of census results that found the nation’s cities are more racially integrated than at any time since 1910.

January 31 - The New York Times

Sidestepping Zoning to Build Green in NYC

Even in New York City, it's a pain to try to "green" a building with insulation, overhangs, and other methods that violate zoning. Katharine Jose reports on the Zone Green Text Amendment, which addresses such impediments, and the team behind it.

January 31 - Capital New York

On the Popularity of Biking and Walking in Rural America

A new report by the Rails-to-Trails Conservancy titled "Active Transportation Beyond Urban Centers,” debunks the myth that "nobody walks" in rural America.

January 31 - Streetsblog D.C.

A Paradigm Shift in Urban Runoff

Christine MacDonald looks at efforts by everyone from home gardeners to municipal water authorities to rethink and rebuild the infrastructure to handle urban runoff.

January 30 - The Atlantic Cities


Has Gov. Jerry Brown Solved California's High Speed Rail Problems?

Governor Brown claims not only that the project will cost less than the $100 billion currently estimated by the state, but that he's found a funding source to help pay for it.

January 30 - The Sacramento Bee

SoHo Residents Balk at BID

Is it justified to believe that a proposed SoHo business improvement district, widely embraced elsewhere in the city, would only attract more hordes of visitors and non-residents? Proponents say that residents are fear-mongering.

January 30 - The New York Times


Will Toronto's Mayor Drag the City Back to the Twentieth Century?

Just a year into his term, Christopher Hume delivers a scathing critique of Toronto Mayor Rob Ford and his pro-vehicular policies.

January 30 - Toronto Star

California Moves Ahead With Streamlining of Envionmental Regulations

Last week, Gov. Jerry Brown announced reforms to the state's Environmental Quality Act that will ease approval for infill development and special projects. Josh Stephens provides the details.

January 30 - California Planning & Development Report

Return of Streetcars to D.C. Brings Nostalgia

Fifty years after they last plied its streets, Washington D.C. awaits the return of the city's streetcars in 2013 with nostalgia and hope.

January 30 - The Washington Post

Is One of New York's Most Successful Parks Heading for a Reckoning?

Charles V. Bagli and Lisa W. Foderaro report on the successes and challenges facing Hudson River Park, which is now running short on money for routine maintenance, and was supposed to be the model for New York City parks to come.

January 30 - The New York Times

A Guide to Classic L.A. Houses

Adrian Glick Kudler writes in <em>Curbed LA</em> about a feature in the February issue of <em>Los Angeles</em> magazine profiling 16 of the most classic types of L.A. houses.

January 30 - Curbed LA

Why You Can Never Find a Bench in San Francisco

Over the last two decades the city of San Francisco has systematically removed its public benches to fight homelessness. Now citizens are clamoring for their return.

January 30 - The New York Times

California Passes Historic Zero Emission Vehicle Regulations

The CA Air Resources Board unanimously approved new rules that require 15% of new vehicles sold in the state to emit zero emissions and require conventional vehicles to reduce smog and climate emissions by 75% and 50%, respectively, by 2025.

January 30 - San Jose Mercury News

How to Fix New York's Abominable Airports

This past week, Frommer's ranked the world's worst airports, and all three of New York's made the top ten. Matt Chaban looks at the reasons why, and some possible solutions on the horizon.

January 29 - The New York Observer

Small Metros Power Post-Recession Job Growth

Nate Berg reports on new information from the Urban Institute’s MetroTrends research team that shows where the 1.2 million jobs added since the end of the great recession (June 2009 officially) have been located, and the results may surprise you.

January 29 - The Atlantic Cities

Understanding the Water-Energy Nexus

In a long read published in <em>Places</em>, Austin Troy delves into the complicated nexus between the need to increase water resources and decrease energy use, which are both exacerbated by, and exacerbate, climate change.

January 29 - Places

National Forest Rules Overhauled for First Time in 30 Years

The Obama administration has finalized new rules for the 193 million acres of national forests and grasslands that will guide everything from logging to recreation and renewable energy development, writes Juliet Eilperin.

January 29 - The Washington Post

Reinventing St. Petersburg's Waterfront

Suzanne LaBarre has the details on Michael Maltzan and Tom Leader Studio's competition winning entry to reinvent the Florida city's outdated waterfront.

January 29 - Fast Company Co.Design

Investing in Detroit's Renaissance

Dan Gilbert, the founder and chairman of Quicken Loans Inc., is perhaps one of Detroit's biggest boosters of late. And he's putting his money where his mouth is.

January 28 - The Detroit News

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