The Daily Source of Urban Planning News

The $787 billion American Recovery and Reinvestment Act that President Obama signed on Feb. 17 left advocates of compact and transit-oriented development practically biting their tongues.

March 24 - New Urban News

BLOG POST

<p> The state of Virginia’s decision to limit the use of cul-de-sacs in residential subdivisions(1) will no doubt create a torrent of commentary, both pro and con.  In the residential context, cul-de-sacs do have certain advantages: they limit traffic near homes, thus allegedly creating quieter environments for homeowners.    So perhaps there is a case for the residential cul-de-sac.<br /> <br /> But in a commercial setting, the cul-de-sac may be the &quot;right thing in the wrong place--such as a pig in a parlor instead of a barnyard.”(2)   In such settings, the cul-de-sac has the same disadvantages as the residential cul-de-sac, with few of the advantages. </p>

March 23 - Michael Lewyn

Many of the iconic structures designed by 'starchitects' are extravagant in their use of materials and the energy required to assemble them, writes Jack Diamond.

March 23 - The Globe and Mail

In these austere times, some urbanists are advocating greater use of the traditional rectilinear grid — an efficient, less expensive, but also challenging pattern.

March 23 - New Urban News

BLOG POST

<p style="margin: 0pt" class="MsoNormal"> <span style="font-size: small; font-family: Times New Roman">In a recent </span><a href="/node/37775"><span style="font-size: small; font-family: Times New Roman">blog</span></a><span style="font-size: small; font-family: Times New Roman"> I emphasized the value of using smart growth policies to increase household affordability and support regional economic development. In his blog, “</span><a href="/node/37738"><span style="font-size: small; font-family: Times New Roman">Planning Foreclosures</span></a>,<span style="font-size: small; font-family: Times New Roman">” Samuel Staley reaches a very different conclusion.

March 23 - Todd Litman

A region known more for carbon emissions strives to create a carbon-neutral city powered by renewable energy and designed to reduce overall energy demand.

March 23 - Atlanta Journal-Constitution

A proposed toll road near Houston exemplifies an unintended effect of the stimulus: encouraging sprawl.

March 23 - The New York Times

Through streets in new neighborhoods will reduce traffic on and the cost of maintaining overburdened arterials, but builders and residents say it'll make their communities less safe and attractive.

March 23 - The Washington Post

Randall O'Toole- in a curiously non-audio opinion piece from NPR- says that trains around the world are fun but are otherwise overly expensive transportation systems used mainly by the elite.

March 23 - NPR

Former New York Governor Eliot Spitzer says that as a result of outmoded industrial and funding models, state governments are facing grave financial problems.

March 23 - Slate

This piece from Robert E. Lang and Lawrence Levy calls for President Barack Obama to include suburban voices in his administration's policy discussions about urban issues.

March 23 - Citiwire

A new master plan for New Orleans has been released. Controversy is expected on the highly anticipated plan as public input is gathered.

March 23 - New Orleans Times Picayune

Owners of second homes are leaning harder on these properties to bring in income, but are finding the market for vacation rentals more complicated than it used to be.

March 23 - The New York Times

FEATURE

March 23 - Roberta Brandes Gratz

Smart rates that reflect the variability of energy demand will be an essential aspect of smart electricity grid, according to experts. To get there, states will have to make some changes.

March 22 - Stateline

Andrés Duany observes that American planners and architects are misunderstanding New Orleans by thinking of it as an American city rather than a Caribbean one.

March 22 - New Geography

As Baby Boomers reach retirement age in Canada, nearly one out of five in the country will be retired within a decade. This coming retirement boom is already affecting the housing market, which many expect to change dramatically.

March 22 - The National Post

A new comprehensive plan being released in Raleigh has many -- both in and out of the city -- wondering what's the best way to grow in the post-sprawl world.

March 22 - Raleigh Durham Independent Weekly

Neal Peirce looks at the daunting challenges facing the new White House Office of Urban Affairs.

March 22 - Citiwire

Flashy plans to build a green city on an island near Shanghai have yet to take any shape. The Chinese government claims the project is still on its way.

March 21 - The Economist