The Daily Source of Urban Planning News

Contaminated water is bad news for cities, unless nobody knows about it. This post from <em>Good</em> looks at some of the most notorious water contamination cover ups in recent U.S. history.

July 21 - Good

The former head of the NHTSA has admitted that he was encouraged to bury the results of a study showing the mounting risk of cellphone use by drivers. The study is being released today under a Freedom of Information Act request.

July 21 - The New York Times

In this political column, Sac Bee columnist Dan Walters opines that the $.9 billion of CA's HSR $9.9 billion bond measure may be the only realistic accomplishment of Prop 1A due to budgetary and political hurdles the train may not be able to succumb.

July 21 - The Sacramento Bee

As a planned rapid transit line gets closer to completion in Vancouver, there's a debate brewing about what sort of development should spring up around it.

July 21 - The Vancouver Sun

They're safer, faster, require less fuel use and enhance public space. So why do Americans tend to reject proposals for roundabouts?

July 21 - Slate.com

Cities in the Southwest are drying up. With less water to go around, water-intensive plantings like vast lawns are becoming an environmental faux pas. Now some cities are compensating residents for getting rid of them.

July 21 - GreenBiz

A conservative Christian reporter attended the Congress for New Urbanism this year, and found that many New Urbanists support strategies that don't fit neatly into Democratic or Republican platforms.

July 21 - WORLD Magazine

Community activists in the South Bronx are working to "daylight" a long-buried stream and re-integrate some natural water treatment processes into the dense urban atmosphere.

July 21 - The New York Moon

Small towns in New Mexico are increasingly being used as film locations. But for some locals, the invasion of Hollywood is not worth the economic benefits.

July 21 - Los Angeles Times

Prague's temporary riverfront beach gives locals a summer destination and a view on the city's iconic architecture.

July 21 - The New York Times

BLOG POST

<p>One of the interesting parts of my position at the Boston <a href="http://www.mapc.org/" target="_blank">Metropolitan Area Planning Council</a> over the past year has been working with U.S. Census Bureau surveys and data. Since last September, this work has included preparations to ensure the region is prepared for the 2010 Census.<br /><br />Mandated by the U.S. Constitution to determine political representation, every planner knows the U.S. Census has become the single most important data source for studying American cities. The U.S. Census Bureau produces dozens of surveys, the Census held once every ten years is by far the most important. Many of the other surveys, as well as countless private sector studies and projections, depend on the decennial census numbers.<br />

July 20 - Robert Goodspeed

BLOG POST

<p> Once upon a time, there was a city called City. And everyone living in City voted in the same elections and paid taxes to the same government. </p> <p> And then 5 percent of the people decided that they wanted to live in an new neighborhood that was opened up for development by the highways. And they called it Richburb, because they were, if not rich, at least a little richer than many of the people in the city (since even if there wasn’t zoning to keep the poor out, new housing usually costs more than old housing anyhow). </p>

July 20 - Michael Lewyn

Crime is down in big cities across America, leaving experts wondering why.

July 20 - The Washington Post

The city of Washington, D.C. learns its police checkpoints aimed at reducing crime in hot spots are unconstitutional.

July 20 - Washington Post

In this radio interview covering high speed rail, streetcars, bicycling, and paying for the proposed $500 billion transportation bill, Chairman Oberstar of the House Transportation and Infrastructure Committee discusses the future of transportation.

July 20 - Living on Earth

New studies rank cities based on the extent to which they "criminalize homelessness."

July 20 - NPR

Water policies in Syria and Turkey are draining the Euphrates River dry, and neighboring Iraq is feeling all the hurt from it.

July 20 - The New York Times

<em>Worldchanging</em>'s Alex Steffen looks at the recent city rankings compiled by the Natural Resources Defense Council and says the method of measurement doesn't really prove how sustainable a place is -- or how it's improving.

July 20 - WorldChanging

BLOG POST

<p class="MsoNormal"> Summer is the time to start thinking about graduate school applications typically due in the late fall and early spring. Previous blogs have looked at how to investigate<a href="/node/38163" target="_blank"> if planning is for you</a>, find the <a href="/27243" target="_blank">right</a> program, <a href="/26388" target="_blank">apply</a>, and <a href="/22992" target="_blank">decide</a> which offer to take up. This blog looks in more detail at the statement of purpose or letter of intent, an important part of the application packet. The following tips will help you craft a compelling statement: </p>

July 20 - Ann Forsyth

A high rate of poverty, a large population of illegal aliens, and a next-door neighbor to one of the most dangerous cities in the hemisphere, El Paso would seem to be a hotbed of danger. But it's actually one of the safest big cities in America.

July 20 - Reason