April Fool's Day
Occupy Movement Calls on Planning Officials to Create 'Occupy Zone'
Sensing the potential for the movement to gain a toehold through land use regulations, leaders of New York City's Occupy movement have called on city planning officials to create an official 'Occupy' zoning designation.
Anti-Urban Presidential Candidate Now Anti-Suburban, Too
After bemoaning cities as the domain of Democrats, GOP presidential candidate Rick Santorum tries to appeal to his party by extending his criticism to suburbs, calling them "too close to cities."
Pop-Up Store Qualifies for Historic Preservation Protection
Bluto's Artisanal Olives has only been open for three weeks, but historic preservation officials in San Francisco have rallied to include it in the city's official list of historic places.
Lacking Funds for Bike-Sharing, City Launches Bike-Stealing Program
City leaders in Cleveland had hoped to build a bike-sharing program throughout the downtown area. But with unexpected reductions in the budget, the bike rental plan has been altered to a theft-based system.
As Permitting Rebounds, Planning Department Forced to Replace Automated System With Human
Building permits have surprisingly picked up in the city of Townsville, Indiana, forcing the city's planning department to replace its automated telephone response system with an actual human staffer.
New York Bike Lane Advocates and Opponents Unite Against Shared Enemy: Pedestrians
Bicyclists and drivers in New York City have been at each others' throat in recent months as the city installs new bike lanes throughout the city. After many bitter words, the former foes have joined forces against a new enemy: people on foot.
Unable to Distribute High Speed Rail Money, LaHood Throws Awesome Party
As state officials turn down or return federal money intended for high speed rail projects, Transportation Secretary Ray LaHood used this seemingly unwanted funding to throw an epic party in Las Vegas.
New Ben & Jerry's Flavor Released: Janette Sadik-Pecan
Ice cream maker Ben & Jerry's has released a new flavor inspired by New York City Transportation Commissioner Janette Sadik-Khan.
Landscape Urbanists and New Urbanists to Settle Debate After Class, Behind the Gym
After months of debate over which ideology should guide the future of cities and urban development, New Urbanists and Landscape Urbanists at Harvard University are planning to settle the argument with a fistfight.
PR Consultant Re-Brands Shrinking City as 'Taking a People Diet'
With the recent announcement that Detroit's population has declined nearly 25% over the last decade, the city has hired a public relations specialist who promptly denied any problems in the city, arguing that it is simply on a "people diet".
Cash-for-Vote Scandal Rocks Top 10 Livable Cities List
Officials in Portland are accusing nearby Vancouver, British Columbia of bribing judges to buy their first place spot in a recent top ten list of the world's most livable cities.
9 Months After 9-Day Traffic Jam, A Baby Boom in Beijing
Nine months after a horrendous traffic jam clogged a Chinese roadway for 62 miles outside Beijing for 9 whole days, area hospitals have seen a fivefold increase in births.
Buses Add Car Racks to Ease L.A. Drivers' Uneasy Transition to Transit
Rising gas prices have pushed many in L.A. to ditch their cars in favor of public transit. But the switch has been tough for some car-tethered Angelenos, so the MTA has added car racks to its buses for those not ready to leave their cars behind.
Smart City Accidentally Downloads Virus
A brand new city in South Korea -- wired with smart grid technologies, a real-time control platform, deep sensing, simulation, and advanced analytics -- has accidentally downloaded a major computer virus.
White House Urban Affairs Agenda Based on Late-Night Sim City Game
It has been revealed that the White House's Urban Affairs Agenda is entirely based on a late-night round of the computer game "Sim City", played by President Barack Obama and Urban Affairs Secretary Adolfo Carrion.
Closed Wal-Mart Re-Used for New Wal-Mart
The economic recession has caused a shakedown in the retail sector, and retail powerhouse Wal-Mart has been forced to close many outlets. One city has found an innovative solution to the empty big box building left behind: put in a new Wal-Mart.
One Acronym Too Many
While completing a DEIR for the CCC on a BRT for a TND TOD, environmental planner Linda Gorman, MURP, AICP contracted acronym poisoning and had to be rushed to the hospital.
High Speed Rail Funding Dedicated Solely to Disneyland Monorail Improvements
The entire $8 billion set aside in the federal stimulus plan for high speed rail has been dedicated towards improvements on the Disneyland Monorail, a 2.5-mile train system in Anaheim, California.
Hardcore New Urbanist Can't Stop Mixing Uses
Bradley Archer, a long-time champion of New Urbanist principles, spends nearly every waking hour finding a way to get two, maybe three, uses out of everything.
Foreclosed Homes To Be Counted As Race in 2010 Census
Officials at the U.S. Census Bureau announced today that foreclosed homes had seen such an increase in numbers over the past two years that they would be included as an official race in the upcoming 2010 Census.
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.
Caltrans
Smith Gee Studio
Institute for Housing and Urban Development Studies (IHS)
City of Grandview
Harvard GSD Executive Education
Toledo-Lucas County Plan Commissions
Salt Lake City
NYU Wagner Graduate School of Public Service
