The Daily Source of Urban Planning News

Levels of lithium in the municipal water of Oita prefecture in Japan have been linked to lower rates of suicide, according to a new study.

May 6 - BBC

Community participation is on the rise, and many sociologists think it's related to the recession.

May 6 - The Seattle Times

London Mayor Boris Johnson has revived old plans to build a new bridge across the Thames River, complete with habitable structures and shops.

May 6 - Evening Standard

The recession digs into Dubai, where property prices fell 41% in the first three months of 2009.

May 6 - BBC

A stalled housing development in a Los Angeles exurb meets the wrecking ball as completing the development became too unaffordable.

May 6 - Los Angeles Times

The Urban Land Institute's recent report on infrastructure finds fault with the government's lack of planning and vision in regards to infrastructure. 'It's a stupid way to run a country,' says ULI V.P. Maureen MacAvey.

May 5 - Architect Magazine

Japan's four major highway operators will drastically lower their tolls, thanks to a generous government economic stimulus package aimed to encourage motoring during the major holidays. The operators are preparing for the enormous traffic jams.

May 5 - Bloomberg.com

Cities struck by the foreclosure crisis are implementing a number of measures to help prevent foreclosures and stabilize neighborhoods already racked by vacancies.

May 5 - The Planning Report

<em>Grist</em> lists the top 15 green-leaning mayors in America.

May 5 - Grist

This segment form Oregon Public Broadcasting looks at the rise of wind farms in rural Oregon.

May 5 - Oregon Public Broadcasting

A documentary focusing on Portland's urban growth boundary begins airing this month on public television stations across the country. It includes interviews with proponents on all sides of the smart growth issue.

May 5 - PR Web

The stimulus package is jump-starting smart grid projects, says Jay Birnbaum, Senior Vice President of CURRENT Group.

May 5 - Focus Washington

Richard Florida compares the Obama administration's suggest HSR corridors to the mega-regions they will serve and likes what he sees.

May 5 - The Atlantic

Art 'on the scale of architecture' is cropping up in Los Angeles, enticing passing drivers out of their cars and onto the street. Chris Burden's 'Urban Light' installation at LACMA is a notable example.

May 5 - The New York Times

In terms of global urban livability, American cities are not so hot. The highest ranking city, Honolulu, comes in at 29 in the results of the Worldwide Quality of Living Survey.

May 5 - The Independent

The Town Council of Ealing, U.K. is experimenting with covering up its traffic lights at certain intersections, which they believe will increase safety and awareness.

May 4 - The Times of London

That was the title the U.S. Senate Committee on Commerce, Science & Transportation chose for a hearing on April 28. Panelists: Ray LaHood, DOT Secretary; Steve Heminger, MTC; Jame Corless, T4America; Ann Canby, STPP, and Ned Holmes, TX Transp. Comm.

May 4 - Streetsblog

The American Lung Association has failed 2/3rds of California's counties in a recent study of levels of smog and soot.

May 4 - San Jose Mercury News

Pricing road use by vehicle miles traveled (VMT) with higher fees for using congested roads could reduce travel time, claim researchers at Brookings.

May 4 - Brookings

In Boston for a conference, Mary Newsom reflects on the lessons that Sun Belt cities can take from historic cities like Cambridge to prepare for the future.

May 4 - The Charlotte Observer