The Daily Source of Urban Planning News

Why Zoning Doesn't Mean Quality Of Life

The Charlotte Observers offers a summary of how zoning and "matter of right" allows for the building of junk, regardless of city plans or desires for a quality environment.

April 15 - The Charlotte Observer

How To Measure A City's Success

Communities across the nation have launched formal "indicators" projects.

April 15 - The Washington Post Writers Group

Europe's Tallest Building?

In England, architects and developers are pushing the boundaries to build mind-numbingly tall buildings.

April 15 - The Daily Telegraph

Commuting Across The English Channel

The local council in Kent is planning to encourage families priced out of the housing market to move to France and commute daily to work from through the Channel Tunnel.

April 15 - The Independent

Stopping Cities From Zoning For Sales Taxes

California lawmakers are working on a proposal that would give cities a larger share of property taxes, and less incentive to build more big box retail stores.

April 15 - San Jose Mercury News


Hundreds Discover Freeway Expansion Threatens Their Homes

Even though the freeway expansion project has gone on for over two years, hundreds in Southern California find out their homes are threatened.

April 14 - The Los Angeles Times

What Works, What Doesn't In Smart Growth Policy

Lessons for Michigan from other states.

April 14 - Michigan Land Use Institute


Los Angeles' Newly Hip Downtown For Rent Only

Welcome to the 'new' downtown Los Angeles, where it's hip to rent a trendy converted loft in an historic building.

April 14 - The Los Angeles Times

Buying Economic Development

A retired businessman has become a celebrity as he buys up land in Tuscumbia, Alabama to return the town to the busy place he remembers.

April 14 - The New York Times

Saving Boston's Boylston Street

Can Boston's Boylston Street ever become the city's Champs Elysees? No, but it might become a sophisticated mixed-use boulevard.

April 14 - The Boston Globe

East Coast Vs. West Coast

It turns out that the New York-Los Angeles dichotomy is more opinion than fact. The two places are becoming more alike.

April 14 - The New York Times

New Urbanism: A Conspiracy For Small Towns?

Columnist Bill Roberts argues that for small western towns, embracing new urbanism is akin to suicide.

April 14 - The Salt Lake Tribune

Education: At What Cost Success?

Sylvia Lavin, chairwoman of UCLA's department of architecture and urban design, has dramatically boosted the school's reputation. But is the cost too high?

April 14 - The Los Angeles Times

Urban Parks: Innovate Or Stagnate

If the majority of America's parks aren't going to stagnate, they're going to need to learn from those parks that are getting it right.

April 14 - Planetizen

PRT: Public Transit Of The Future?

Thirty years in development, a Minnesota inventor debuted SkyWeb Express, a personal rapid transit (PRT) system that has some people excited about the future of public transit.

April 14 - Star Tribune

FEATURE

Urban Parks: Innovate Or Stagnate

If the majority of America's parks aren't going to stagnate, they're going to need to learn from those parks that are getting it right.

April 14 - Fred Kent

Why The SBA Cares About Sprawl

The SBA agrees to evaluate environmental and growth impacts of its loans as part of a lawsuit settlement.

April 13 - Smart Growth Online

Reinventing McDonald's Architecture

McDonald's asked 30 designers to come up with new plans for restaurants and two designers make the finalist list.

April 13 - The Chicago Tribune

Libeskind's WTC Plan Hits First Trouble Spot

Massive mall operator Westfield America has become disgruntled with the redevelopment process and has raised objections to design elements.

April 13 - The New York Observer

Nation's Leaders Can't Avoid Traffic Either

Recent traffic problems in Washington D.C. dominated a debate on homeland security in a Congressional hearing.

April 13 - The Washington Post

Post News

Top Books

An annual review of books related to planning.

Top Schools

The definitive ranking of graduate planning programs.

100 Most Influential Urbanists

The who's who of urbanism, according to Planetizen readers.

Urban Planning Creators You Should Know

A short list of voices on social, video, and podcasting platforms.

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.