The Daily Source of Urban Planning News

Based on cost estimates data of 58 projects from 11 cities across the U.S., research shows that bicycle infrastructure creates more jobs per dollar spent than projects that focus exclusively on road infrastructure.

July 1 - Smart Growth America

Abu Dhabi has released a new 20-year plan. It planners argue that it will be flexible enough to withstand changes in the global economy, should they come.

July 1 - Times of Oman

Providing wifi on public transit and encouraging people to Check In with their smart phones are two of the three examples cities could implement to bring people closer together.

July 1 - Mashable

As Brazil prepares to host the 2014 World Cup and 2016 Olympics, officials are pushing a new law that would limit the powers of the international bodies behind the two major sporting events.

July 1 - The New York Times

In a DOT press release this week, Transportation Secretary Ray LaHood makes a $1.58 billion commitment to fund the New Starts program.

July 1 - U.S. Department Of Transportation

A new report from the <em>Brookings Institution</em> tracks where populations are aging in America, and which parts are experiencing booms in young populations.

July 1 - Brookings Institute

BLOG POST

<p> A few months ago, I was talking to a faculty colleague who lives in a part of Jacksonville even more sprawl-bound where I live, an area about a mile or so from the nearest bus stop and with a single-digit Walkscore.  He said Jacksonville was &quot;safe and clean.&quot;  I was a little surprised: &quot;clean&quot; is one word I would never* use to describe Jacksonville.  When I walk down the sidewalks of San Jose Boulevard, I notice litter aplenty - and from what I know of Beach Boulevard (the grim commercial strip near my colleague&#39;s house) I doubt that it is much better. </p>

June 30 - Michael Lewyn

Campaigning blindly to encourage people to relinquish cars and take public transit is not enough. Policymakers need to develop business school marketing strategies to brand their campaigns, experts say.

June 30 - THE DIRT

The U.S. Conference of Mayors expect the number of challenges to be higher than the 1,200 challenges filed for the 2000 Census because regions claimed to have received low population counts.

June 30 - Associated Press

Considering the Declaration of Independence and its mention of the "inalienable right" of "happiness", Kaid Benfield wonders what the pursuit of happiness can and should mean for communities.

June 30 - The Atlantic

Officials are estimating that within 30 years, the combined impact of urban development, climate change and a chlamydia outbreak will cause koalas to go extinct.

June 30 - The Telegraph

Technology must be harnessed in cities to allow citizens to "talk back" to cities and enable more user-driven change, according to this op-ed from economist Saskia Sassen.

June 30 - domus

A lakefront steel plant on Chicago's South Side that has been abandoned since 1992 is the venue of the Dave Matthew's Caravan July music festival.

June 30 - Chicago Tribune

The 2010 Census showed that the baby-boom generation led to the growth of older populations settling in suburbs, which is causing local governments to rethink whom their services should cater to.

June 30 - The Washington Post

The personally rewarding and healthy activity of urban farming continues to solidify a foothold on Hong Kong high rises, in spite of the lack of support from the government.

June 30 - CNN

Sao Paulo, Brazil has awarded a contract to build a new monorail system connecting the airport to the city's transit system.

June 30 - Smart Planet

Long-stalled plans to build a countrywide network of interstate routes for bicycles appears to be moving forward.

June 30 - Sustainable Business Oregon

The Wall Street Journal profiles New York City Planning Director Amanda Burden, focusing on the populist projects her department has been successful in building in recent years.

June 29 - The Wall Street Journal

The U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development (HUD) claims that Obama's economic stimulus bill helped contain the number of homeless people in 2009 and 2010.

June 29 - CQ Roll Call

Imported from Europe, parklets transform parking spaces into inviting public spaces. They are flourishing in San Francisco, and are poised to invade other cities across the country.

June 29 - California Planning & Development Report