The Daily Source of Urban Planning News

The Globe and Mail profiles Victoria B.C.'s community of Dockside Green, which, in addition to being an infill development, is powered by a district energy system.

November 23 - Globe and Mail

The California Environmental Quality Act, a landmark 1970 environmental law now considered an obstacle to smart growth by some urban planners, has claimed another victim in a project that seeks to reduce car use while promoting biking and walking.

November 23 - Palo Alto On-line

The next breakthrough in architecture may not come from the likes of Frank Gehry, according to Alex Goldmark, but from a chemist because they are the ones developing new compounds that aren't just stronger, or cleaner, but also smarter.

November 23 - This Big City

During WWII, thousands of bicycles were stolen from the Dutch by occupying Germans, leaving them unable to get around. In Britain, however, strict patrol rationing meant bicycle use rose considerably because it was the only way to get around.

November 23 - This Big City

McGill University planning students have built a cake replica of the neighborhood surrounding the Vendome Metro station in order to get residents to discuss the impacts of the construction and opening of a nearby "superhospital."

November 23 - CBC

New York needs the more of such talent, according to officials. Gina Bellafonte reflects on where the city stands now in terms of its tech talent in light of the city's recent proposal request for a large, elite tech school somewhere in the city.

November 23 - The New York Times

Getting transportation professionals to think about including pedestrians, bicyclists, and transit users is a key first step in creating great places and livable communities. Thank “complete streets” movement, which has taken the U.S. by storm.

November 22 - Project For Public Spaces

Kevin Conger is CEO and one of the founding partners of Conger Moss Guillard (CMG) Landscape Architecture. A recent redevelopment project was labeled as a "climate positive." Conger explains how it meets those standards along with other projects.

November 22 - THE DIRT

An interview with Nancy Odendaal, who is spearheading an effort by the Association of African Planning Schools to reform planning education across the continent.

November 22 - The Atlantic Cities

Vincent Marcello intended to build a swimming pool in his backyard, which is built on top of the city's oldest burial grounds. 15 coffins have been excavated so far.

November 22 - The Times-Picayune

Hearst Corporation is planning to redevelop the city block that surrounds its San Francisco Chronicle offices at 5th and Mission. The update would include a new mixed use tower containing 1.3 million square feet of commercial space.

November 22 - SF Gate

Amy Kazim explore how chaotic urban growth and a political preference for rural government is beginning to hinder the development of India's largest cities.

November 22 - The Financial Times

Minneapolis knows it will never win any beauty contests, or become a tourist destination. But city leaders know what makes the city great: it works.

November 22 - GOOD Magazine

Good planning is attracting young hipsters to cities throughout the world, writes Christopher F. Schuetze.

November 22 - International Herald Tribune via New York Times

The Boyle Heights neighborhood of Los Angeles is the testing grounds for Los Angeles' first bike lanes to incorporate a bright green color to indicate bike lanes and areas where bikes and cars share the space.

November 22 - LADOT Bike Blog

While there remains a greater likelihood of a Prius or other hybrid-electric vehicle being involved in a crash with a pedestrian or cyclist over a conventionally-powered vehicle, the incidence has decreased since 2009.

November 22 - National Highway Traffic Safety Administration

Heavy rains Sunday afternoon exacerbated a subsiding roadway in the L.A. suburb of San Pedro, leaving gaping holes and exposing plumbing and other infrastructure housed beneath the street.

November 21 - Los Angeles Times

The Mongolian capital of Ulan Bator will begin construction this winter of an artificial glacier to cool the city next summer and provide melt water for drinking and irrigation.

November 21 - The Atlantic

FEATURE

Planetizen’s tenth annual list of the best books in urban planning, design and development ranges from a crowdsourced compendium of ideas for upgrading New York City's built environment to a personal report from the streets of Karachi.

November 21 - Michael Dudley

Consumers still have "range anxiety", the fear that electric cars won't get them to and from their destinations on one charge. NPR looks at the attitudes that are still keeping people from investing in electric vehicles.

November 21 - NPR Morning Edition