The Daily Source of Urban Planning News
A "Healthy Capacity" for Transit Manufacturing Exists in NYC
Citing the shift in economic activity at the Brooklyn Navy Yard, Ginia Bellafonte makes a case for bringing transit manufacturing to this and similar areas of the city. Talent's not an issue, but financing always is.
Atlanta Transportation Plans Ready for Votes
Which aspects of the regional transportation projects may underwhelm following months of compromise? Ariel Hart examines the plans, which serve both "mobility" and "political ends."
To Make Great Places, Mix Well
Carl F. Meyer of Perkins+Will presents three things he strives for to make vibrant public spaces, and all three involve mixing it up.
Nature Essential to Counteract Modern Life
Richard Louv says we're drowning in a "sea of circuitry" and in desperate need to reconnect with greenery and nature in our living spaces to sooth our souls.
Streamlined Tappan Zee Bridge Rebuild Approved By U.S.
The federal government approved a streamlined process to expedite the bridge's replacement. Key would be to remove transit plans for the new bridge, thus keeping costs down, but that has raised questions about not providing alternatives to driving.
Public Transit Required for Chicago City Employees
Mayor Rahm Emanuel has mandated that city employees on the clock be required to ride Chicago Transit trains and buses, with a few exceptions, in order to get reimbursed. BJ Lutz reports.
The Subway of the Future, Next Year
Communications Based Train Control (CBCT) will allow New York City's subways to run more efficiently than ever. But like with all service improvements, implementation will take some time and patience, write Josef Szende and Charles Komanoff.
'Mythbusters' Solve Car vs. Motorcycle Myth
In a recent episode of The Discovery Channel's "Mythbusters," hosts Adam Savage and Jamie Hyneman concluded that cars are a greener mode of transportation than motorcycles.
Friday Fizzle: Bicycling is for Losers Who Don't Get Dates
A new GM ad implies that bikes aren't a sexy mode of transport for college kids.
Friday Funny: Herman Cain's 9-9-9 Tax Plan is Straight Out of SimCity
Republican Presidential candidate Herman Cain has been touting a plan where individuals, businesses and a national sales tax would all be 9%. Reporter Amanda Terkel says this sounds suspiciously similar to the default settings in SimCity.
U.S. Solar Industry Fights to Keep Alive a Federal Incentive Program
The Solar Energy Industries Association (SEIA) is fighting with Congress to extend a popular federal incentive program. Set to end on December 31 this year, the group states that the program could create 37,400 more jobs and add nearly 500 megawatt.
New Technologies Increase Citizen Investment In Cities
A recent Pew Research study revealed that 58% of 25-34 year old Americans own smartphones, and communicate with each other, and their city governments in new ways.
N.Y. Exhibition Celebrates Collaborative Design
A new exhibition curated by the Cooper-Hewitt in New York illustrates how the design community is trying to reshape itself as more collaborative than 'pedagogic or paternalistic.'
When a Project Lender Goes Under, A Developer Decides to Go Green
In Atlanta, plans called for a five-building development in the suburb of Dunwoody. With only three buildings completely built, the Providence Group decided to turn the undeveloped land into a park.
The Top 15 Most Stressful Cities
Forbes Magazine picks 15 of the most stressful cities in the United States. To come up with the data, "we analyzed quality-of-life data from the 40 largest metropolitan statistical areas," says Beth Greenfield.
Privately Owned Public Spaces: What are the Rules?
Site of the Occupy Wall Street protests, Zuccotti Park is a privately-owned public space. Lisa W. Foderaro explains the difference between this and a public park, and why it works for the protests.
São Paulo's "Big Worm" Needs to Flatten
At least, according to the city's urban planners. The two-mile elevated highway is a hindrance, reports Juan Forero, to the city's modernization.
Richard Florida Examines Walkscore's Top Ten Cities
Richard Florida digests Walkscore's Walkability rankings, and discusses some surprising results. Among the top ten are Union City, New Jersey, and Miami, Florida.
For Two Days Only TWA Terminal Re-Opens Its Doors
In 2001, Eero Saarinen's famed TWA Terminal in John F. Kennedy International Airport closed after American Airlines bought the airline out. Completed in 1962, this terminal is now rarely accessible by the public.
BLOG POST
How will the Suburbs Cope with Poverty?
The terms Central city, Inner city and urban have long been synonymous with the poorer, disadvantaged minority sections of metropolitan areas. Conversely, the suburbs have been associated with whites, affluence and job growth. For a long time, however, this dichotomy has failed to capture the gradual blurring of distinctive patterns that demarcate city from suburb. A recent <a href="http://www.brookings.edu/papers/2011/1011_housing_suburbs_covington_freeman_stoll.aspx">Brookings report</a> by Kenya Covington, Michael Stoll and yours truly underscores this point. The Housing Choice Voucher (HCV) program, the single largest affordable housing program in the country is almost as prevalent in the suburbs as in central cities.
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