The Daily Source of Urban Planning News
"Rare Show of Bipartisanship" Behind Highway Overhaul Legislation
The two-year transportation Senate bill would mean improved infrastructure, jobs, and state-level flexibility. And as far as both parties are concerned, it's a winner.
Tysons Corner Comprehensive Plan Stymies Project
Citing the city's need for private dollars to contribute to $810 million in road improvements, developers of one residential development has indefinitely shelved its plans.
Breaking News: Judge Puts Kibosh on California HSR Route
Sacramento Superior Court Judge Michael Kenny ruled against the CA High-Speed Rail Authority in a lawsuit brought on by the cities of Palo Alto, Menlo Park to stop the train running through their communities.
A New Paradigm for Affordable Housing
Via Verde is a unique 222-unit building built in Queens as an experiment in healthy, sustainable and affordable living for low- and moderate-income residents. Txchnologist takes a tour.
Michael Sorkin Pulls No Punches in New Book of Criticism
Norman Weinstein reviews Sorkin's new book <em>All Over the Map</em>. Sorkin, he says, is at his best when exposing the injustices of architecture.
What a Transportation Engineer Calls "Walkable"
A transportation engineer sent Charles Marohn a video to prove how walkable his "diverging diamond" overpass design is. Marohn overdubbed his not-so-flattering reply.
Wealthy Developer Finds Money to Fund Freeway Project, Despite Opposition
Houston's third outerbelt, the Grand Parkway, continues to move forward despite an outpouring of opposition, highlighting the special, institutionalized role real estate developers play in transportation decisions in Texas, writes Angie Schmitt.
Streetcars are Go in Cincinnati
In Cincinnati, voters have defeated an attempt to block the city's new streetcar, which now will move forward and could be operational as early as 2013. The new streetcar will link downtown and the uptown district around the University.
Occupy D.C.'s Urban Design Model
Evelio Contreras and Philip Kennicott film the Occupy movement transforming MacPherson Square into an urban hub, in one of Washington's central nodal points.
Nebraska Clashes With Keystone XL Project
Nebraska may play a key role regarding decision for pipeline that will run from Canada to Texas. Many businesses and labor groups support the Keystone XL project; many environmentalists oppose it.
Much of Future Measure R Money to Pay For "L.A. Roadworks"
Mayor Villaraigosa plans to borrow against future Measure R money to fund one massive, two-year road improvement project before he leaves office.
Does the Chicago Parking Fee Actually Target Rush-Hour Parkers?
Chicago aldermen have challenged the times at which the contentious parking fee would be enforced, namely in the early morning and evenings. Mayor Emanuel and his staff have responded, but, according to the Tribune staff, maybe not adequately.
Adult Uses and Zoning: How Do You Define "Naked"?
A neighborhood association is protesting that Stadium Club, a "steak-and-strippers" place in Washington, DC, is an adult use and against local zoning ordinances. But the Board of Zoning Adjustment decided recently that it isn't "sexually-oriented."
Drilling For Highway Trust Fund Dollars
To maintain current transportation spending levels in the new reauthorization bill, Speaker Boehner is proposing a bill to fill the shortfall from projected federal gas tax revenues with the royalties expected from new oil and gas drilling.
Muslim Community Drives New Redevelopment Project
In Mumbai, a tight-knit community of Ismaili Muslims are beginning work on their 16.5 acres redevelopment project. The cluster of land, which is said to be in the heart of the city's southern tip, is to be completed by 2017.
Mother-In-Law Apartments Are Good for the Economy
Accessory dwelling units, or in-law apartments, are gaining approval in greater numbers of communities.
Landlords and Regulators Aren't Equipped to Handle Temporary Uses
Even a real estate market as strong as Washington, DC has vacant land and storefronts. Regulatory burdens and business customs make finding temporary tenants difficult, even though temporary uses can enliven dead spaces and spark entrepreneurship.
Introducing The Low Line
Under New York's Delancey Street lurks 60,000 square feet of vaulted ceilings and cobbled streets, sitting unappreciated in the dark. A group of entrepreneurs have plans to create a subterranean park there.
Metra Announces Price Hikes
Metra, Chicago's regional rail provider, has announced that it will increase fares starting in February 2012. For over 300,000 weekday riders, the price increase will mean hundreds of dollars more in fares per year.
Greening Pilgrimages in Holy Cities
Pilgrimages to holy sites around the world have caused large amounts of waste and pollution because of the large amount of people gathering together for one event and consumeristic habits, writes George Webster for CNN
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