The Daily Source of Urban Planning News
Walking On Air
SOM designs observation platforms that allow visitors to walk on the air. A new platform is planned for Chicago's Sears Tower.
Anti-Transit Bias Revealed in Museum Exhibit
Conrad DeFebre of Minnesota 2020 went to an exhibit about transportation at the Minnesota History Center titled "Going Places: The Mystique of Mobility" and found an overt bias against transit.
Retailers Fleeing Detroit
As recently as the turn of this century, retailers were taking a chance on downtown Detroit. But today, Starbucks, Borders and others are pulling their stores out.
BLOG POST
Architecture You Can Dance To
On my way to work this morning, I was listening to an interview with the band <a href="http://blitzentrapper.net/vids.html">Blitzen Trapper</a> on my iPod. They’ve got a beautiful song called ‘Furr’; the sound echoes 1970s folk rock- and roots influences like English folk, country and bluegrass. Anyway, Eric Early, the main songwriter, got my attention with his answer to this question:<br /> <br /> <blockquote> <em>INTERVIEWER: Obviously ‘American music’ means different things to different people. What does it mean to you?<br /> </em>
Obama Administration Snubs Mayors
Representatives of the Obama Administration, including VP Biden, were set to be a part of the U.S. Conference of Mayors last week, but they cancelled their appearance so as not to cross a union picket line outside.
The Return of Streetcar Architecture
Portland, Oregon sees the revival of building styles not seen since the last time streetcars rolled through the city.
Fresh in Philly
Philadelphians (and the Obama administration) sing the praises of the city's Fresh Food Financing Initiative, which works to bring healthy produce and groceries to underserved locations.
The High Cost of Internet Access
The City of Sherwood, Oregon has invested $1.55 million in broadband fiberoptic cable, promising internet access for all and a system that would pay for itself. So far, it hasn't quite worked out that way.
A Frank Conversation With Ray LaHood
In this 'anything-goes' Q & A between the NYT Magazine with Secretary of Transportation Ray LaHood, we learn about the derivation of his name, the car he drives, and more appropriate topics liks HSR, infrastructure, and George Will.
Sidewalks Key Factor Influencing Physical Activity
A new study provides further evidence that incorporating sidewalks into existing neighborhoods is a practical and inexpensive way of encouraging people to exercise.
Some Cities 'Too Much Fun'
With job cuts and cost-saving measures the watchword of the day, cities like Orlando and Las Vegas are fighting their fun-loving image to attract serious-minded conventioneers.
BLOG POST
Working in Planning? Quit Your Job!
<p> It’s Thursday! Sounds like a perfect day to quit your job. </p> <p> Stuck in the doldrums of office work? Itching to get outside as summer rolls around and the blue skies start looking more and more appealing? There’s never been a better time to pack up and leave, planners. Do it. Quit today. </p>
Denver's 16th Street Mall Rehabilitation Proposal
At 27 years old, Denver's 16th Street Mall is in need of an upgrade. A team of consultants has recently released their recommendation of what needs to be done to rehabilitate one of Denver's premier public spaces.
Locking Trash Bins to Thwart Scavengers
Residents of Santa Ana neighborhood are locking up their trash bins, hoping to eliminate the noise and trouble brought by scavengers.
Parkour Enthusiasts Rediscover The American City
While urbanists have long used the built environment as their playground, the French sport of parkour is connecting residents of America's cities to their surroundings in a new, if not extreme manner.
FEATURE
Masterplanning the Architecture of the Near Future
As the population rises, underused and empty spaces are going to fill in. How well the transition works depends on shifts in demographics and infrastructure, as well as architecture. A studio of UCLA architecture students were asked to plot that transition. But before they could be architects, they had to be planners.
How are Cities Experiencing the Recession?
A new Brookings Institution study shows that American cities are experiencing the recession at "radically varying levels."
Return of the Pedicab
The City of Los Angeles is writing a proposal to bring pedicabs back to the streets.
"Grow Smart Bay Area" Report Released
With great fanfare, the Bay Area's Greenbelt Alliance has released a new report, "Grow Smart Bay Area", the premise being that future population and job growth can be accommodated by infill and by doing so, will add to the region's sustainability.
BLOG POST
Athletes (Like Stallworth) Are Not The Only Ones Who Get Off Easy
<p> If you watched or read the news yesterday, then you likely came across <a href="http://news.yahoo.com/s/ap/20090616/ap_on_re_us/fbn_stallworth_pedestrian_killed">the sentencing of Donte Stallworth</a>. Previously known (maybe) for being an NFL role player, Stallworth will serve a 30 day sentence for hitting and killing a pedestrian named Mario Reyes while driving intoxicated here in Miami Beach. The typical sentence for such an offense in Florida is 4 to 15 years. Stallworth will be released just in time for his NFL training camp. </p> <p> How convenient. </p>
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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.
