The Daily Source of Urban Planning News

House Votes To Extend Clunkers Program

The Cash For Clunkers Program or CARS (Car Allowance Rebate System) received a major vote of confidence on July 31 when the House overwhelmingly voted to inject $2 billion into the enormously popular program.

August 1 - The New York Times - Business

Top Cities for Active People

Outside Magazine ranks the top 10 U.S. cities for people who like to exercise and be outdoors.

August 1 - Outside

How Policy Can Make Better Neighborhoods and Schools

A new study from <em>The Brookings Institution</em> discusses how school quality and neighborhood affordability are linked, and how both can be improved.

August 1 - The Brookings Institution

Superbarrels to Save the City

Collecting an reusing rainwater is one way cities can deal with diminishing freshwater supplies. The more people can collect, the better. And people can collect more water if they have bigger containers.

August 1 - Governing

Friday Funny: Public Comment Gold

A sample of public comments from meetings in the eccentrically out-there city of Santa Cruz, California.

July 31 - SoWat TV


'Cash For Clunkers' Kaput?

The Fed's "Cash For Clunkers" program, which set aside funds to give people an incentive to trade in old polluting cars for newer models, is already reportedly running out of money. (VIDEO)

July 31 - ABC

Urban Farm Plot Violates Zoning

A small strip of land in Los Angeles is being used to grow vegetables for the cafe next door. But officials say the plot violates zoning rules.

July 31 - Los Angeles Times


Vancouver Setting the Bar for Green Cities

Mayor Gregor Robertson was elected in December 2008 on a green platform, and the city could be on its way to being the greenest city in the world.

July 31 - Alternet.org

Immigrant Population Drops in Arizona

The population of illegal immigrants in Arizona has dropped by a third, the biggest drop in the nation.

July 31 - The Arizona Republic

California Bill Seeks Sharp Cuts in Per-Capita Water Use

The state of California is looking to reduce its per-capita water usage 20% by 2020, a plan that's moving forward in the state legislature. The plan could mean drastic changes for many cities in the arid parts of the state.

July 31 - Miller-McCune

Sewer Robot Frees Up Streets

The Urban Mole is a proposed package delivery robot that uses existing sewer tunnels to deliver packages underground, taking delivery trucks off of the streets.

July 31 - Wired

$7 Billion Stop-Gap Measure for Highway Fund

On Weds., the U.S. House of Representatives approved $7 billion in stop-gap funding for road, bridge and transit projects until SAFETEA-LU can be reauthorized.

July 31 - The Washington Post

Budweiser Beach, CA?

With the new California budget slashing state park funding, as many as 100 parks and beaches could close. Park officials are seeking funding to keep parks open, including corporate sponsorship opportunities.

July 31 - Los Angeles Times

What Color is Your Cultural District?

South Broad Street in downtown Philadelphia looks a bit blue at times. But stick around for a few minutes and its complexion changes.

July 31 - New Urban News

Largest Park in Newark Opens, 30 Years Late

Nat Turner Park is Newark's newest, and largest, city-owned park. The city bought the lot in the 1970s but didn't get around to developing it until now.

July 31 - Newark Star-Ledger

California's Budget Undercuts Climate Change Policy

Gov. Arnold Schwarzenegger cultivates the image of a climate change warrior. But the state budget he signed this week portrays very different priorities.

July 30 - California Planning & Development Report

24% Reduction in Emissions Possible by 2050

Changing changing transportation habits and land-use patterns in America could result in a 24 percent reduction in carbon emissions by 2050, says a new report from Cambridge Systematics.

July 30 - The New York Times

Feds Take Action On Driving While Texting

Banning "DWT" - driving while texting, could soon become the next 'seat belt requirement' for states to avoid forfeiture of some of their federal highway funds if a Senate bill is to become law.

July 30 - The New York Times - Technology

Operation Neighborhood Recovery

Shelterforce magazine takes a look at one of the hardest hit areas in New Jersey by the ongoing foreclosure crisis, and a first-in-the-nation property acquisition project that aims to stabilize neighborhood in decline.

July 30 - Shelterforce Magazine

BLOG POST

Moving Cooler Report: Solutions and Criticisms

<p style="margin: 0cm 0cm 10pt" class="MsoNormal"> <span style="font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%; font-family: 'Times New Roman','serif'">The new report, <span><a href="http://www.movingcooler.info/">Moving Cooler: Transportation Strategies to Reduce Greenhouse Gas Emissions</a></span></span><span style="font-size: small; font-family: Calibri">, written by Cambridge Systematics and sponsored by a variety of organizations, identifies several dozen transportation climate change emission reduction strategies, including improvements to efficient modes (walking, cycling and public transit), pricing reforms and smart growth land use policies.

July 30 - Todd Litman

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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.