The Daily Source of Urban Planning News

An Arizona company is proposing a solar-powered elevated train running between Tucson and Phoenix.

May 10 - Arizona Star

BART is set to embark on a $3.4 billion project to replace its existing trains with 700 new cars that will carry more people, move passengers through stations faster, and meet the needs of suburban and urban riders.

May 10 - The San Francisco Chronicle

FEMA has sent eviction notices to thousands of people in emergency trailers in New Orleans. The temporary shelter was designed to house homeowners while their homes were repaired, but many remain unfinished.

May 10 - The New York Times

Washington D.C. transit officials are planning to allow retail vendors to set up shop in some of the city's train stations. Proponents say the move could aid security by putting more "eyes" on the system.

May 10 - Greater Greater Washington

Neal Peirce looks at President Barack Obama's ambitious plans for high speed rail and the significant obstacles that stand in its way.

May 10 - Citiwire

<em>Smart City</em> talks with grass roots and civic leaders about how to revitalize flagging Rust Belt economies.

May 9 - Smart City Radio

Five out of every six major U.S. cities claims sustainability is one of its top priorities.

May 9 - Reuters

It would take at least an additional 10-cent tax on gasoline to fund transit and transportation projects in metropolitan Dallas-Fort Worth, according to city officials who want to ask voters to allow the increases.

May 9 - Fort Worth Star-Telegram

'Dukakis is a rail man,' says Alex Marshall, after the man speak on his history with Amtrak and promoting and building rail in Boston. The cure to our transit woes, according to Dukakis, is competence.

May 9 - Citiwire.net

A report released today by the American Association of State Highway and Transportation Officials (AASHTO) details the deteriorating state of American interstates and highways, and how much it's costing us.

May 9 - Detroit Free Press

Frustrated with dog poop in his neighborhood park, a Denver resident has initiated a program that places locally-sponsored poop bagging and disposal kiosks in parks throughout the city.

May 8 - The Denver Post

Steven Malanga looks back at a century of efforts by Washington to promote homeownership, which he says 'has produced one calamity after another.'

May 8 - City Journal

Peter Gertler of HNTB says that the Obama administration's high-speed rail investments will attract new development around stations.

May 8 - Forbes

Despite a congressional ruling last year that prevents them, wight uranium mining operations have been approved near the Grand Canyon.

May 8 - Scientific American

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May 8 - Mike Lydon

Testing is underway in the U.K. on 'Anaconda', a giant rubber 'snake' that converts tidal wave energy to electricity. A full-sized Anaconda could reportedly power 1,000 homes.

May 8 - New Scientist

Jacksonville, Florida is hoping private funding will come through to save the city's parks, which officials say they can't afford to build or maintain.

May 8 - The Florida Times-Union

Controlling fire has never been a strong suit for humans. Now, as climate change sets in, the need for better fire management is becoming dire, according to researchers.

May 8 - Miller-McCune

With goals of LEED-certification and plans for reuse after the games, Vancouver's Olympic Village is being called a model for event-based sustainability.

May 8 - Architectural Record

The League of American Bicyclists has released their Spring 2009 list of the most bicycle-friendly cities in the U.S. Davis, CA is one of only three cities given Platinum status, along with Portland, OR and Boulder, CO.

May 8 - League of American Biycyclists