The Daily Source of Urban Planning News

A recent panel at the VerdeXchange Conference in Los Angeles featuring discussion by Rep. Earl Blumenauer (D-Oregon) and former Speaker of the California Assembly Robert Hertzberg on the state's role in influencing federal climate change legislation.

April 6 - The Planning Report

BLOG POST

<p> <span style="font-size: 11pt; font-family: Arial">On a recent business trip to Australia, I had the opportunity to visit with an interesting group of social planners called <a href="http://www.horneryinstitute.com/hornery/home/Default.aspx">The Hornery Institute</a>. Specifically, their charter is “to assist communities in becoming better places to live, learn, work and play.” The Hornery Institute was established in November 2000, in recognition of Lend Lease’s Chairman, Stuart Hornery and his commitment to community and people.<span>  </span>To mark his retirement, the shareholders and employees of this great company <a href="http://www.news.com.au/dailytelegraph/money/story/0,26860,24379922-5015795,00.htm">formed a not-for-profit organization</a> that allowed Hornery and his dedicated, hand-picked staff to continue working on independent projects to make communities more fulfilling. </span> </p>

April 5 - Rick Abelson

With the gambling industry facing lower demand, commercial real estate is being hit hard in Las Vegas, where nearly $8 billion worth of real estate is in trouble.

April 5 - The Las Vegas Sun

On the state's path towards drawing 20 percent of its energy from renewable sources by the end of 2010, California is focusing on its southern desert as the site of this alternative energy generation.

April 5 - NPR

Former Arizona Department of Transportation director Victor M. Mendez has bee chosen by the Obama administration to head the FHA.

April 5 - The Arizona Republic

BLOG POST

<p> Not sure if you want to be a planner? Recently my colleagues and I have received a spate of emails from prospective students around the world wanting to know whether planning is a field they should pursue. Their extensive lists of questions show that this is a pressing issue for them. This entry answers some of the more common questions and aims to help prospective students come to programs with a shorter and more focused set of topics to explore. </p>

April 5 - Ann Forsyth

Isfahan is one of Iran's fastest growing cities. But it also has a distinct history -- one that is being threatened by the rapid pace of growth. Now, locals are trying to preserve the city's heritage.

April 5 - Smithsonian

Ventura, CA, City Manager Rick Cole Op-ed argues for a comprehensive paradigm shift in the real estate and development industries.

April 5 - The Planning Report

BLOG POST

<p style="margin: 0pt" class="MsoNormal"> <span style="font-size: small"><span style="font-family: Times New Roman">I would like to expand an ongoing debate between Reason Foundation policy expert Samuel Staley and me concerning land use policy impacts on affordability and economic stability to include two additional issues: <em>household economic resilience</em> and <em>wealth accumulation</em>. <span> </span></span></span> </p>

April 4 - Todd Litman

Charlotte politicians have been pushing for the completion of a freeway loop around the city -- a $220 million project. Mary Newsom argues that road funding would better serve the city and the region if it were directed to Charlotte's transit system.

April 4 - The Naked City

Environmental issues are becoming a growing concern in China, and officials there seem ready to begin addressing them.

April 4 - BBC

Online sources for house plans are cutting the architect out of the home building process. One site is now making available the plans of well-known architects like William Turnbull.

April 4 - Fast Company

How do you turn a cul-de-sac into a commune? It's easier than you think, according to this piece from NPR.

April 4 - NPR

Apropos to the debates dominating the G20 conference in London, former U.S. Trade Rep and Commerce Secretary Mickey Kantor argues for trade as the centerpiece of economic and environmental sustainability.

April 4 - The Planning Report

This piece from <em>The Onion</em> presents the incredibly simple solution to the nation's economic troubles: build more houses.

April 3 - The Onion

The city of Vancouver is hoping to reduce its energy use and carbon emissions by hiring a goat to maintain the grounds at city hall. Though the mayor wants to expand the goat program to schools and parks, some have reservations.

April 3 - The Vancouver Courier

Florida's real estate meltdown is leading to a second crisis: so many condo owners have stopped paying their fees that associations have had to cut back on maintenance and repairs, leading some to fear a "death spiral" for condos.

April 3 - Yahoo! News

An exit interview with Tom Graff, who joined Environmental Defense Fund in 1971, when the environmental movement was just getting started.

April 3 - The Planning Report

Ypsilanti, Michigan, has been a GM factory town for more than 50 years. With the recent ouster of GM CEO Rick Wagoner by the federal government, many in the oft-shaken town are worried about its future.

April 3 - Los Angeles Times

Urban policy is looking to be a major element of President Barack Obama's administration. Though it hasn't quite taken shape yet, this piece argues it's a good sign for cities and metropolitan regions.

April 3 - Governing