Europe
Don't Fear the VMT Fee
The Christian Science Monitor editorializes in support of the VMT fee replacing the gas tax just as the latest federal transportation financing commission report recommends, as Oregon Governor Kulongoski hopes to do, and as some will do in Europe.
Vending Machine Deal Upsets Venetians
Residents in Venice, Italy, are upset over a plan by the city to accept a $2.7 million subsidy from Coca Cola in exchange for placement of soda machines throughout the historic city.
Vélib Not Going Anywhere
A BBC story on Paris's groundbreaking bike-share system greatly exaggerates the threat posed by theft and vandalism.
Paris Bike System Plagued By Theft and Vandalism
Theft and vandalism have crippled the citywide bike rental system in Paris, leaving operator JCDecaux uncertain of the increasingly expensive program's future.
Red Light Cameras Rigged
Following similar discoveries of fraud in the U.S., the Italian government has uncovered a scheme to increase local revenues by artificially shortening yellow lights.
Bikes in the World Today
This three-part series from the BBC looks at bicycles in the modern world -- from Paris to Uganda to India.
U.S. May Look to Replicate EU's Infrastructure Bank
According to sources in Europe, the Obama Administration has sought advice from European Union officials about emulating the EU's infrastructure bank.
Creative Ideas Stream In for Berlin Airport Reuse
A massive WWII-era airfield in Berlin has been closed down, but city officials are looking for ways to take advantage of the large space. New ideas abound -- from a proposal for a "red light" district to plans for an artificial mountain.
When Kids Design Neighborhoods
Coriandoline, a housing development in Correggio, Italy, is the first to have been designed primarily by children. The award-winning neighborhood boasts themed houses and "built-in playability."
Friday Funny: The Citywide Crossword Puzzle
A giant crossword puzzle has been painted on the side of a 100-foot tall building in Lvov, Ukraine. Clues to the puzzle are planted throughout the city, and the puzzle's answers are revealed at nighttime with the use of special lights.
No Ordinary Chinatown
Chinese designers are flocking to Prato, Italy and forging a new sort of Chinatown that look more like modern-day China.
Re-Creating Historic Places - But Why?
Plans to construct a replica of a German palace in Berlin are being met with confusion and derision. It's a project that many critics say has no point.
Dutch Try to Step Up Flood Protection
This article from Wired looks at new plans to prevent massive flooding in the low-lying Netherlands.
Rebounding Architecture Revives Paris
Architecture flourishes in either Paris or London, but not both at the same time, according to Tom Dyckhoff. Now it's Paris' turn.
What To Do With Hitler's Airport?
The new Tom Cruise film Valkyrie features scenes shot in the massive and recently closed Tempelhof Airport, the sheer size of which will pose challenges to any redevelopment.
Decoding the Mediterranean Town
The complex, organic form of Mediterranean towns has been traced to a dynamic system of reproducing building codes.
Nighttime Urban Renewal
One lighting artist's work has helped revitalize and make nightlife possible in a number of European cities.
German Suburbs: Look Familiar?
According to Kirk Rogers, European suburbs are not all that different from American ones--they indulge the need for space, good schools, and cars-- and they're there to stay.
Architect Hopes To Spread 'Pedestrianizaton'
The transformation of Copenhagen from a car-choked thoroughfare to a lively, pedestrian center began in 1962 with the closing of the Strøget, and folks walked and biked in record numbers. Now architect Jan Gehl hopes to spread this new urban culture.
Experiments Validate Broken Windows Theory
The controversial theory that social and physical disorder is a cause of neighborhood crime has been successfully demonstrated with a series of six experiments.
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.
EMC Planning Group, Inc.
Planetizen
Planetizen
Mpact (formerly Rail~Volution)
Great Falls Development Authority, Inc.
HUDs Office of Policy Development and Research
NYU Wagner Graduate School of Public Service
