History / Preservation
Beijing's 'Conservation' Plans Bend Definition
Beijing is in the midst of a wide-scale revitalization effort to prepare itself for the 2008 Olympic games. Included in this effort is a citywide conservation plan targeting 25 areas in the city. But the term "conservation" is loosely defined.
Backyard Cultural Tourism
The article explores a tourist village in Bangalore where affluent Indians can experience a rural lifestyle. It is the showcasing of all things old, traditional and rural -- which are less and less a part of the lives of many Indians.
D.C. Preservationists Deny Ramp For Elderly Couple
In Washington, D.C., the historic preservation office will not allow a ramp to the front door of a 1930s rowhouse, so elderly residents must live in the basement that has access to a back alley.
Sprawl and Climate Change Force Sled Race to Evolve
The infamous 1,100-mile Iditarod sled dog race course has been adjusted due to urban sprawl moving into the traditional course route.
When Pieces of National Parks Go on Sale, U.S. Can't Pay
Funding shortages are leaving officials at the national parks with little or no power to acquire new lands, enabling private interests to buy up sensitive lands before they can be protected federally.
History Under Fire in Vancouver
The demolition of two historic buildings in Vancouver has many worried that the provincial preservation laws aren't doing enough to protect the city's historic stock.
Historic Sites Disappearing As Three Gorges Reservoir Rises
The reservoir at China's Three Gorges Dam will fill to capacity this year, flooding more than 400 square miles of land, including some precious historic sites.
The Etymology of the Capital City Name
This animation from Good looks at the etymology behind the names of some global capital cities.
Israel's Wall of Control in Palestine
This article from Progressive Planning discusses the walls that run more than 700 kilometers in Palestine. But as author Gary Fields writes, this barrier is not about security, it's about control.
Remembering An Empty Field
At the World Trade Center and Pentagon, plans are underway for elaborate memorials to the victims of the September 11 terrorist attacks. But what of the non-descript field in Shanksville, Pennsylvania, where another hijacked flight crashed that day?
Predictions About the City of the Future
1808 - 1908 - 2008, 2108. The New York Times looks at two centuries of predictions and invites ten New Yorkers to imagine New York City a century from today, in 2108.
San Francisco's Historic Gem Returned To Life
San Francisco's latest and perhaps most glorious restoration is the 1890 De Young Building that was the original home of The Chronicle has now been converted to a Ritz Carlton after having been an undignified office building for the last 43 years.
National Heritage Areas In Center of Property Rights Debate
With more and more land receiving federal protection as National Heritage Areas, property rights activists are butting heads with the preservationists they say are taking rights away from landowners.
Building A Museum Any Planner Could Love
A storefront museum dedicated to the history and development of Reston, Virginia -- one of the nation's first planned new towns -- is set for a major expansion.
TDRs Making Preservation Possible In New Jersey
In the southern New Jersey community of Chesterfield, a state-sponsored transfer of development rights program is proving successful at preserving the historic character of the small town.
Preservationists Sue The City Of Stockton To Save Historic Hotels
Preservationists have filed suit against the city of Stockton to prevent the demolition of historic hotels to build surface parking lots.
Paradise Lost In Shangri-La
Officially named in 2001, this small town in China's Yunnan Province is struggling to cope with over 2 million visitors a year. It's becoming a "high altitude hell."
Historic Preservation Should Consider Soundscapes, Not Just Cityscapes
In an interview with Preservation Online, author Anne Matthews explains the growing movement to preserve historic sounds.
Tunnel System Sparks Interest, Rumors
The re-discovery of tunnels beneath Fresno, California's Chinatown have sparked interest -- and elaborate rumors -- amongst historic preservationists and residents alike. But some say the rumors exaggerate the real purpose of the tunnels.
Ohio Residents Buy Properties To Fight 'Flippers'
Community members in Ohio are fighting against real estate prospectors by buying up property before investors can move in to "flip" them for a quick profit.
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
