Planetizen
Reassessing Obama's Urban Policies
Having promised a new and progressive direction in urban policy, President Obama has instead been "destructive" for America's cities, argues Yana Kunichoff.
Bankruptcy Ahead, Warns CBO On Highway Trust Fund
Treasury Secretary Ray LaHood warned Congress that according to a recent Congressional Budget Office report, the Highway Trust Fund will be broke come fiscal year 2014, due largely to more fuel-efficient vehicles and less driving.
Top 8 Facadist Renovations, from Melbourne to Bucharest
Facadism is often criticized for its awkward juxtapositions, but here are eight of the nicest facadist renovations from around the world, according to Stephen Smith.
An Injection of Urbanism in the Land of Sprawl
Anthony Flint reports on the Buffalo Bayou restoration project in Houston, where a remarkably green sensibility has infused the capital of fossil fuels.
Boston's Emerald Necklace Waits for its Saviour
As urban parks across the country are being created and refurbished thanks in large part to private philanthropy (e.g. the High Line and Millennium Park), Charles Birnbaum asks who will come to the rescue of Boston's famed Emerald Necklace.
CNU20 expires 04/04/12
Friday Funny: New York vs Boston, Which is the Better Sports Town?
On the eve of the Super Bowl, Richard Florida attempts to answer one of the most critical debates concerning metropolitan vitality today -- which is the superior sports town: Boston or New York?
Who to Follow on Twitter for Your Transportation News Fix
Using a rather complex, scientific methodology, Robert Krueger, has compiled a list of the top 25 most influential transportation infrastructure sources to follow on Twitter.
Muscling Out the Car in NYC
Marc Santora pens a pity piece for the fate of the automobile in New York City. Whereas, once upon a time the car was doing the bullying, the 'once-exalted automobile is now under siege.'
Calgary Experiments With Crowdsourcing Its Budget
In order to educate its citizens on how budgeting decisions are made, and inform decision makers on the priorities of its citizens, Calgary has engaged in an ambitious outreach process to get citizens to participate in drafting the city's budget.
Zoning to Protect Mom & Pops on the Upper West Side
Joseph Berger reports on New York City's efforts to protect local retailers with new zoning in Manhattan's Upper West Side, where the proliferation of chain stores, banks, and pharmacies have caused consternation.
America's Third World Infrastructure
Alex Marshall investigates the reasons why America's infrastructure resembles a third world country's, and decides that we have our arcane budgeting processes to blame.
Dancing on the Grave of Redevelopment
The redevelopment postmortem continues with a look at five projects that demonstrate the ways in which the Community Redevelopment Agency of the City of Los Angeles (CRA/LA) strayed from its core mission.
Successful DC Bikeshare Program Heading for the Suburbs
The runaway success of Washington D.C.'s bikeshare program, in less than two years of operation, has it poised to expand to the city's suburbs this year.
Urban Revitalization: Baby Steps or the Magic Bullet?
Writer Tara Sturm explores the merits of incremental urbanism on revitalization efforts with the help of L.A. architect Alan Pullman, highlighting grassroots, community-driven economic development.
Mapping Energy Consumption, Block-by-Block
A new interactive map produced by researchers at Columbia University reveals the energy use of nearly every building in New York City. Besides being an interesting curiosity, the map is a crucial first step in improving energy efficiency.
Exclusive: Abrupt Changing of the Guard at Vancouver Planning Department
In a surprise move this week, Vancouver's city council abruptly relieved its high-profile Planning Director, Brent Toderian, of his duties, after six years on the job. Planetizen has spoken with the former director about what transpired.
Indy's Unique Plan to Leverage the Super Bowl
As Super Bowl week comes to a close, Emily Badger reports on the host city's efforts to use the event as a catalyst for substantive change throughout the city.
Comprehensive Coverage of the End of Redevelopment in California
With no last minute pardons granted, yesterday marked the official dissolution date for California's 400-plus redevelopment agencies. Curbed LA has gathered the essential readings to guide you through the 'developments' at the state and local levels.
Mayor Outlines "Plan B" To Push Through Transit Improvements in L.A.
Deputy Mayor for Transportation Borja Leon provides insight into the Mayor's plans for ramping up implementation of Measure R funded projects if the Federal Government fails to back his America Fast Forward program.