The Daily Source of Urban Planning News
Sure These Cars Can Talk, But Do They Listen?
Research and Innovative Technology Administration (RITA) announces the winners of the Connected Vehicle Challenge that asked people to submit ideas, using the Dedicated Short-Range Communications (DSRC) technology to its full potential.
Making Bicycle Ambassador A Real Job
Matt Seaton argues that "after significant investment in cycling infrastructure, biking needs better PR." Would a bike ambassador make the difference?
Utopianism is Uncool
...except with architects, who are still creating utopian visions. A new book gathers works by 70 such architects and includes a "linear city" thousands of miles long proposed by an Italian architecture firm.
Cities Adapting to Older Populations
Cities with high populations of older adults are beginning to alter their programs and street signs to make it easier to respond to senior citizens' needs.
The History of Washington D.C.'s Sidewalk Cafes
Washington D.C.'s first sidewalk cafe opened 5-plus years ago. This piece from <em>The Washington Post</em> looks at the history of outdoor eating in the city, and how the trend has picked up over the years.
Can the Ultra-Ex Project Save Cleveland?
"Vacancy begets vacancy." With more than 1,000 vacant lots adding to the city's running total of 20,000 each year, Cleveland is on an Ultra-Ex mission to prepare these sites for tomorrow's housing renaissance.
Grand Rapids Goes Glee
After landed No. 10 on MainStreet.com's "America's Dying Cities" list earlier this year, Grand Rapids, Mich., shows the world that the city is anything but. Its citywide rendition of Don McLean's classic gets almost 4 million hits on YouTube to date.
Can Community Land Trusts Work for Retail Centers?
New Orleans, San Francisco, and Albuquerque are exploring, and implementing, community land trusts as an economic development tool that can encourage development in business districts while assuring that local businesses are not displaced.
Parking Location Makes All the Difference
The location of parked cars can either destroy walkability or enhance it, writes urbanist Steve Mouzon.
Planning for Robots
Art student Diego Trujillo-Pisanty is considering what a future of domestic robot servants would do to the built environment.
Putting Alternative Fuel Stations on the Map
Yesterday, the U.S. Department of Energy released an interactive map displaying thousands of alternative fuel stations around the nation.
New Orleans Sets New Rules for Public Housing
With great success, the city is on a fast track to transform six Great Depression-era public housing projects - totaling 4,000 units - into mixed-income housing. "People will be watching New Orleans closely," observes Linda Couch.
Placemaking Capital of the U.S.: Houston?
The Project for Public Spaces says that despite its reputation as a sprawling, planning-free city, Houston is turning the lack of city planning to its advantage by inspiring a bottom-up approach.
Charlotte's Big Unemployment Problem
Joblessness in the Charlotte region is high, and has been for a while. This review of unemployment figures shows a long-term problem.
Delighting in Urban Light
Photographer Colin Rich created this mesmerizing video of the endless urban fabric of Los Angeles at night.
Germany Has Fewer Children, More in Poverty
The population of children in Germany continues to fall, and those that exist are increasingly in poverty.
New MIT Data Analysis Tool Aims To Rationalize Planning
Andres Sevstuk, lecturer at MIT and head of the City Form Research Group describes how the new Urban Network Analysis Toolbox is, "taking a much more rigorous approach to look at the work of urban design."
City Engagement Via Technology
Cities across the U.S. are increasingly looking to technology to improve the public participation process and increase the ways citizens can engage with the government. Chief technical officers are becoming more common.
New Transit Lines Open Early, Under Budget
New TRAX light rail lines in Salt Lake City opened a year early and 20% under budget.
When Poverty Grows in the City, Poverty Grows in the Suburbs
Metropolitan poverty spreads from cities to the suburbs. This post from <em>Metro Trends</em> explains.
Ada County Highway District
Clanton & Associates, Inc.
Jessamine County Fiscal Court
Institute for Housing and Urban Development Studies (IHS)
City of Grandview
Harvard GSD Executive Education
Toledo-Lucas County Plan Commissions
Salt Lake City
NYU Wagner Graduate School of Public Service
Urban Design for Planners 1: Software Tools
This six-course series explores essential urban design concepts using open source software and equips planners with the tools they need to participate fully in the urban design process.
Planning for Universal Design
Learn the tools for implementing Universal Design in planning regulations.
