The Daily Source of Urban Planning News

Unincorporated Area Residents Fight City Control

Members of a citizen group in Bull Mountain, an incorporated area in Washington County, Oregon, are at odds with an agreement that would allow cities to provide all urban services and dictate urban growth boundaries.

April 11 - The Times

Thirteen Strategies for Sustainability

How is Kansas City to make itself sustainable? This blog offers 13 strategies, one posted a day, from experts in different fields.

April 11 - One KC Voice

D.C. Stadium Bill is Really TOD Bill in Disguise

This column argues that legislation to build a new stadium for Washington D.C.'s professional soccer team is also a move to jumpstart development around many of the area's transit stations.

April 11 - The Gazette

FEATURE

Making A 'Playborhood'

Mike Lanza, an entrepreneur in Palo Alto, CA, is using his front yard as a place for his friends and neighbors to gather and play. Julia Galef from the Project for Public Spaces brings us this story.

April 10 - Julia Galef

Friday Funny: Moscow Dogs Commute via Subway

Dogs in Moscow have learned to ride the subway to and from "work".

April 10 - English Russia


Boston's Transportation Choices Studied

A draft Environmental Impact Report is now underway to study the proposed routes and power sources for rail extensions south of Boston. Considerations include ridership, wetlands, smart growth benefits, and future development around train stations.

April 10 - The Boston Globe

BLOG POST

Lighter Moments—A Hardship Variance

This is a true story.

April 10 - Eric Damian Kelly


Whither Public Transit?

With a history of paltry funding, decaying infrastructure and soaring demand, the state of public transit in the United States is "perilous."

April 10 - In These Times

Las Vegas Mega Development on Shaky Ground

A major retail and tourist project in Las Vegas -- what some are calling the largest project in the world -- is stumbling amid the recession. Its developers and the city are unsure of its future.

April 10 - Reuters

States Enjoying Lower Bids for Construction Projects

The recession is causing construction contractors to branch out -- from subdivisions to road projects. And the market is now flooded, giving state more and lower bids to choose from.

April 10 - The Washington Post

Australia a Model of Changing Climate

With years of drought, recent deadly fires, outbreaks of pests and a multitude of other problems, Australia is becoming the poster child for what effects global climate change will have.

April 10 - Los Angeles Times

Killing the Community Preservation Act

Three Massachusetts towns are looking to kill a 3% property tax that has been funding open space purchases, historic restoration, and affordable housing construction.

April 10 - The Boston Globe

What’s in Store for the New HUD Secretary?

Shaun Donovan wants HUD to catalyze shifts in American urban planning, one community at a time. A look at the optimistic HUD secretary, who has been given the task of fixing the housing market—and making over a broken government agency.

April 10 - Forbes

CO Springs to Bring Downtown Back to Life

Colorado Springs planners have put two ambitious plans on the table: The first, a brand new Master Plan for its downtown, and the second, a form-based code.

April 10 - Colorado Springs Gazette

Tall Towers Break Records, in Height and Numbers

The number and average heights of skyscrapers erected in 2008 are the highest ever thanks to a “lag effect” in the market and a shift toward sustainability.

April 10 - Architectural Record

LA Buys its Foreclosed Homes to Refurbish and Resell

Los Angeles has begun using its $33 million in funds from the Neighborhood Stabilization Program to jumpstart neighborhoods blighted by foreclosure. HUD Secretary Shaun Donovan visited a South Los Angeles neighborhood Wednesday.

April 9 - Los Angeles Times

How to Rekindle America's Love Affair with the Car

The Daily Show's resident "problem solver" John Hodgman offers his advice on renewing America's "love affair with the car": eliminate public transit and bomb foreign auto makers. [Video]

April 9 - The Daily Show

Using Pollution to Fight Global Warming

The Obama administration is entertaining proposals for using 'geoengineering' to fight global warming, including shooting pollution into the upper atmosphere to reflect back the warming rays.

April 9 - The Wall St. Journal

Transportation Reauthorzation Bill Is MAP-21

"Moving Ahead for Progress in the 21st Century", or MAP-21, follows the path of predecessors SAFETEA-LU, TEA -21, and ISTEA. In this press release by the Senate Committee on Environment & Public Works, Chairman Barbara Boxer of CA launches the bill.

April 9 - U.S. Senate Committee on Environment & Public Works

The I.O.U. Tollbooth

The Northwest Parkway in Denver has very little traffic in the wee hours, so officials decided to experiment with I.O.U. forms left at the booth.

April 9 - TOLLROADSnews

Post News

Top Books

An annual review of books related to planning.

Top Schools

The definitive ranking of graduate planning programs.

100 Most Influential Urbanists

The who's who of urbanism, according to Planetizen readers.

Urban Planning Creators You Should Know

A short list of voices on social, video, and podcasting platforms.

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.