The Daily Source of Urban Planning News
The Blow-By-Blow at the Senate Banking Committee
The committee convened a hearing on Monday on green investments in public transportation, and Streetsblog got the scoop. It was 4 against 1 as witnesses sided against Randal O'Toole and his anti-transit arguments.
India Rejects Limits On Greenhouse Gas Emissions
An announcement by India that it won't reduce its carbon emissions is sure to capture the attention of climate treaty and energy legislation opponents in the Congress.
A Bird’s-Eye View of the Foreclosure Crisis
As part of an art exhibition about housing, artist Damon Rich used the Panorama of the City of New York- a 9,000 sq. ft. model- to illustrate the foreclosure crisis.
Post-Katrina, A Neighborhood Changes
The Lakeview neighborhood of New Orleans was deluged in the post-Katrina flooding. Today, a new community emerges with traditional renovations living side-by side with unique contemporary buildings.
A Little Too Tough on Blight?
The City of Chula Vista has a highly successful anti-blight ordinance- so successful that some critics say they may actually be delaying the recovery of the local real estate market.
Putting Stimulus Dollars to Work
Economic improvement projects funded by the stimulus are moving full steam ahead -- in France.
Highway Teardowns Benefitting Traffic Flow and City Life
<em>The Infrastructurist</em> offers four case studies of cities that have removed highways. The result: less congestion.
Nuisance Reporting Via iPhone
A new application for iPhones seeks to make it easier for Boston residents to report minor nuisances like potholes and busted street lights.
Does Destroying a Building Erase History?
The Nakagin Capsule Tower, designed in Tokyo in 1972 as part of the Japanese Metabolism movement in architecture, is facing destruction. Residents of the building have voted to demolish it and replace it with a modern structure.
Roundabouts 20% More Effective At Moving Traffic
Roundabouts, usually considered a quirky European development, can reduce delays at intersections by 20%, according to studies by Kansas State University.
BLOG POST
Urbanism, Suburbs and Families: They Can All Go Together
<p> A few weeks ago, I read an online comment suggesting that unnamed "planners" displayed no interest in suburbia, single-family housing or family life, and instead are only interested in improving downtown neighborhoods for single people. If by "planners" the author of this comment meant new urbanists or critics of the sprawl status quo, this claim is simply incorrect. </p> <p> Over the past month, I have visited half a dozen new urbanist developments in Dallas and Denver (1). All of these developments have a few things in common: all include both retail and residential uses, and all strive for walkability by providing sidewalks and narrow, gridded streets. But the developments differ in two other respects: geography and housing type. </p>
Should NY Transit Be Free?
Charles Komanoff, an economist, analyst and activist in New York, has created an elaborate spreadsheet looking at the cost of congestion to the city. His conclusion? Free transit and congestion pricing would relieve traffic.
Costa Rica Leads in the "Happy Planet Index"
The New Economics Foundation's "Happy Planet Index" shows that Costa Ricans use fewer resources and lead happier lives than the rest of the world.
Main Street Beating the Odds
Niles, Michigan has managed to build jobs and add businesses to its Main Street over the past five years. How did they do it? Wayne Senville of the Planning Commissioners Journal stopped by on his tour around the U.S.A.
The Burnham Plan Was Also the Bennett Plan
The 1909 Plan of Chicago is widely credited to Daniel Burnham. But Burnham's right-hand-man, Edward Bennett not only played a big role in writing the plan, he also helped put it into action.
Are Light Bulbs Insignificant?
Some have grumbled at the Obama Administration's recently-announced standards for light bulbs. But changing industry standards for lighting would have no small effect, says Mark Muro of Brookings.
A Look Inside the Busted Building Market
This slideshow from <em>The New York Times Magazine</em> takes a look at the abandoned and stalled buildings form around the country that epitomize the bust of the building market.
BLOG POST
The Informal Economy: Michael Jackson Edition
I knew it was going to be a madhouse in downtown L.A. for Michael Jacksons memorial service, but I had to go see what it was like for the urban novelty of a huge swath of downtown closed off for thousands of fans and mourners.
Bike Sharing Plans Edge Forward in Portland
Officials in Portland are hoping to move forward on plans to bring a bike sharing system to the city. But with little money in the budget, implementing the system may take longer than expected.
Las Vegas Included in California's Rail Plans
Las Vegas will now be included in plans for California's high speed rail network, according to the Department of Transportation.
Heyer Gruel & Associates PA
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Harvard GSD Executive Education
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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.
