The Daily Source of Urban Planning News
As Congress Rejects Transportation Funding, Voters Embrace It
Ryan Holeywell reports that Congress and the Obama Administration are set against gas taxes, even as voters across the country are approving them to fund transportation and transit projects.
Surveillance Cameras Work, Says New Study
Planners have debated for decades that surveillance cameras don't deter crime, more "eyes on the street" do. A recent study shows that the cameras are worth their expense, in some cases.
From Rooftops to Rivers
The NRDC gives cities a report card on their stormwater management strategies. Philadelphia tops their list.
Planning for the Unplanned
Diana Limbach Lempel talks about the importance of allowing cities room to change, to experience entropy and remain elastic.
Prefab Steel for Atlantic Yards Towers
The low-cost method of construction on the residential towers of the Atlantic Yards project would be a first for any structure this tall. Sixty percent of it would be constructed off-site at a 20% cost savings.
Environmenal "Cost of Development" Felt in Western PA Township
Eliza Griswold profiles the economic, health, and environmental troubles of Amwell Township, PA, after an oil company moves in and begins fracking for natural gas.
Even the 1% Are Selling Their Mansions At Auctions
After languishing on the market for years and steadily getting price-chopped, mansions and estates are hitting the auction block. Candace Jackson explains this has always been a last-resort move, and an unusual one for the wealthy.
Zoning for Apartheid
Lisa Findley & Liz Ogbu explain how architecture and urban planning were critical to apartheid in South Africa and how Le Corbusier and Ebenezer Howard influenced the racial segregation practice.
A Map A Day
The Big Map Blog features - well, big maps.
Congressional High Speed Rail Funding To Cease
In an unusual showing of agreement by both houses, it would appear that Congress will terminate funding for HSR in a bill that authorizes funding for the transportation department next year. The House hears the bill Nov. 17; Senate the next day.
London Experiments With Shared Streets
It may seem counter-intuitive, but "shared space" advocates say cars and bikes will get in fewer accidents if barriers and traffic lane markets are removed. London's Exhibition Road will open next month using this design concept.
The 20 Dirtiest Cities in the U.S.
California has 7 of the 20 cities with the poorest air quality, according to a list complied by Forbes. Bakersfield, which has 60 days of unhealthy air a year, takes the top spot for its hot and dusty weather and proximity to oil fields.
LEED May Be Discouraging More Bike Storage Rooms
In a paradox of green building practices, a new office building can't earn points for building bike facilities unless the storage room has showers and changing rooms, making the price pricier.
"Shoulder Pads" For A Stadium
Design and architecture firm Gensler has released their newest plans for the proposed football stadium in downtown Los Angeles.
Bicycle Users Take Action Into Their Own Hands
In 2007, Mexico City's government promised that it would build 300km of bike lanes around the city by 2012. According to Jimena Veloz, "the city still only has 22.2 km because most money is allocated to car infrastructure."
'Burbs Don't "Support the Vision" for Tech Company
Lured by state and potentially city incentives, one high-tech headquarters is ditching its current suburban location for a spot in downtown Kansas City. Is a resurgence afoot? Kevin Collison reports.
Planning's Limits and Strengths Identified at NYC Zoning Conference
Though held in recognition of zoning's 50th anniversary, the conference details future social, economic, and environmental challenges. Raymond Li reports on both the positive and negative points of discussion brought up on Tuesday.
BLOG POST
The Value of Transportation Enhancements; Or, Are Walking and Cycling Really Transportation?
<p class="MsoNormal"> An important current policy debate concerns whether the next U.S. federal surface transportation reauthorization should require spending on “enhancements,” which finance projects such as walkways, bike paths, highway landscaping and historic preservation. This issue receives considerable attention, despite the fact that enhancements represent less than 2% of total federal surface transportation expenditures, because it raises questions about future transport priorities, particularly the role of walking and cycling. In other words, should non-motorized modes be considered <em>real</em> transportation. </p>
Los Angeles' Streetcar Plans Under Fire
With available funding from U.S. Tiger grant, Los Angeles has big hopes for its downtown which include a streetcar line that would go from north to south. Critics say the line is redundant of other existing transit.
Could Artificial Glaciers Keep Your City Cool in the Summer?
They're about to try it in Ulan Bator, Mongolia, creating giant "naleds" of ice that would melt slowly due to the extreme cold preserved inside.
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Learn the tools for implementing Universal Design in planning regulations.
