The Daily Source of Urban Planning News

In a speech in Houston on Tuesday, Saudi Arabia Oil Minister Ali al-Naimi expressed concern that too much emphasis on alternative energies would mean lack of funding for oil investments.

February 12 - International Business Times

David Giles explains the economic extremes that now characterize New York City and offers four suggestions on how to retain and strengthen its middle class.

February 12 - City Limits

A Las Vegas hotel-condo project's height is nearly cut in half--not due to budget cuts, but faulty rebar installation. Experts are reportedly unable to recall "such a drastic midconstruction downscaling."

February 12 - The New York Times

The woes of the automobile industry--and the prospects for a federal bailout--must be seen in terms of the need to transform not just the industry, but our entire automobile-oriented society, writes Emma Rothschild.

February 12 - New York Review of Books

This report takes a local perspective on CA's new land use law, in the context of two preceding environmental laws, CEQA and AB 32. While the former enabled activists to fight new growth, the pendulum has begun to swing toward developers.

February 12 - The Berkeley Daily Planet

The spike in farms can be seen statewide. They are more diverse than they used to be, and probably a response from young people who "want to know where their foods comes from" and have taken direct action.

February 12 - Brattleboro Reformer

This article's author reports his and economist Matthew Kahn's recent findings on metropolitan areas and carbon emissions. As it turns out, living in a high density area is one of the best things one can do for the environment.

February 12 - The DC Examiner

It may come as little surprise to some that the tech-heavy city of San Jose has more males than females. But in other parts of the Silicon Valley, just the opposite is true.

February 12 - San Jose Mercury News

NC Rep. Price Harrison hopes that the third time's a charm when he reintroduces legislation requiring higher auto emissions standards. If it passes, the state's standards may start looking more like California's within the coming year.

February 12 - The News & Observer

Population growth, and its impact on land use, should not be overlooked, argues environmental writer John Feeney, who's set up a conference of scientists to examine the issue. This article looks at how population growth is affecting Oregon.

February 12 - The Oregonian

FEATURE

February 12 - Nate Berg

The latest Forbes Misery Index sees a number of changes in the roster, with housing bust "ground zero" Stockton California at the "top" of the list.

February 11 - ABC News

Buildings and homes built as a product of the Works Progress Administration of the 1930s are being torn down at a rate that some find unsettling.

February 11 - International Herald Tribune

Now that the eco-friendlier--albeit more unsightly--way to dry laundry is making a comeback, line-drying activists go face-to-face with homeowners associations to make it safe to do it.

February 11 - Los Angeles Times

A new master plan for the Georgia cities of Augusta and North Augusta looks to create a unified vision for the area geared around economic development and new housing beyond the traditional downtown.

February 11 - The Augusta Chronicle

Plans to replace Seattle's aging inner-city freeway with a $4.2 billion tunnel and expanded bus service have many lawmakers concerned about being able to raise enough money to make it happen.

February 11 - The Seattle Post-Intelligencer

The master plan will replace an outdated, complex zoning law and address urban housing, wetlands preservation, and transit, among other things. New Orleans is finally "poised for sustained growth," according to the plan's lead consultant.

February 11 - The Times-Picayune

According to Prince Charles, Dharavi, the slum featured in 'Slumdog Millionaire,' should be considered a model for the rest of the developing world.

February 11 - The Guardian

To conduct a real life experiment with the theory, 17 of Lowell, MA's crime "hot spots" were cleaned up while another 17 were left alone. Researchers found a 20% dip in crime where conditions were improved.

February 11 - The Boston Globe

"Casual carpooling," an informal system involving commuting with complete strangers, has taken off in the Bay Area. Passengers and drivers cite money, time, and the environment for its success.

February 11 - GOOD Magazine