The Daily Source of Urban Planning News
Getting the Smart Grid On Line
Pacific Gas and Electric (PG&E) has opened a new testing facility in San Ramon, California to experiment with smart grid technology. They're currently testing new systems for reducing outages.
BLOG POST
An Election Call-to-Action for Canadian Urbanists!
<p> <span style="font-size: 10pt; font-family: 'Courier New'">Here in Canada, we're in the midst of a Federal election. It’s an election where if you’re interested in urban issues, you’re likely quite frustrated.</span><span style="font-size: 10pt; font-family: 'Courier New'"> <br /> </span>
Debate Over New Condos, Hotel in Brooklyn Bridge Park
The plans for the newly-opened Brooklyn Bridge Park included a 150-room hotel and two 30-story to 40-story condos buildings, which planners say were necessary to make the project pencil out. As construction nears, some locals are upset at the plans.
Edward Glaeser and Green Cities
Another look at Edward Glaeser's provocative new book Triumph of the City, this time by reporter Mary Newsom and with a focus on Glaeser's opinions on the city and the environment.
Edmonton Strives For More Than "Crap"
Edmonton, Alberta has a reputation as "the Canadian fiefdom of sprawl" with a "commitment to architectural crap." Mayor Stephen Mandel is working hard to change that reputation.
The Joy of Working in Coffee Shops
Malcolm Gladwell and others attest to the effectiveness of working in restaurants, coffee shops and bars, and why it works.
Super WiFi Hits the Streets
A Houston grandmother could be the first person in the country to get "super WiFi", high-speed wireless internet transmitted over newly accessible segments of the broadcast spectrum.
Are Local Businesses Making a Comeback?
Styled after Harper's Index, this "Localism Index" suggests that local economies and independent businesses might just be making a comeback.
Charleston Rejects Highway Expansion
Leaders in Charleston County have reversed course on a $500 million highway expansion plan, following public outcry.
California's Population Moves Northward
The "population center" is a statistical construct that designates the midpoint where the Northern and Southern California populations are equally balanced on either side. For the first time in a century, that midpoint has moved northward.
Governor's Lawyer Misled FL Supreme Court in HSR Case
Rick Scott's general counsel, Charles Trippe, admitted that he "misrepresented a central fact" to support the governor's rejection of federal funds for HSR. This fact could lead to a reopening of the case, according to The Infrastructurist.
$100 Million for HUD Sustainability Program Survives Budget Cuts
Congressional budget cuts spare some favorite programs of transportation reformers and smart growth advocates.
Legible London Gets People Walking
New pedestrian signs installed throughout London aim to encourage more people to walk by providing them with information on walking times and local attractions.
Greenfield Economics Explained
Aaron Renn of <em>Urbanophile</em> explains the allure of "greenfield economics" and that the process of urban and suburban decay is cyclical in nature.
EPA Moves Regional Head Quarters to the Suburbs
The EPA is moving its regional headquarters from downtown Kansas City (Kansas) to a suburb 20 miles outside the city, a move which "could nearly triple transportation carbon emissions associated with the facility," according to Kaid Benfield.
Urban Design Marathon Comes to Los Angeles
The 72 hour event is intended to challenge the idea that creating change in public space is long and difficult, explains the event's founder, Karem Halbrecht.
The Impact of Humans on the Land
The National Journal has created a large, zoomable map of the world showing the footprint of humanity on the Earth.
The Original Green: New York's Street Grid
The original layout of New York's street grid took advantage of the natural elements like light, wind and good soil to effectively encourage greenery in the city. Alec Applebaum says the city could do well to hearken back to the original plans.
FEATURE
How Landscape Architects Can Save the World
The excesses of the "landscape urbanism" aside, Michael Mehaffy believes landscape architects are well positioned to lead the way towards positive change in the urban landscape. Here's why.
Political Skirmish Over Redevelopment Agencies in Indiana
Indiana State Sen. Luke Kenley thinks the state's redevelopment agencies have too much freedom to approve spending on large projects and has proposed a bill to curb their power, but the state House has refused to hear the bill.
Heyer Gruel & Associates PA
Ada County Highway District
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.
