History / Preservation
Film Looks at History of Demolished St. Louis Housing Project
A new documentary film delves into the complicated history, life and demolition of the Pruitt-Igoe housing project in St. Louis.
Railroads Made Atlantic City a Reality
As a Northeast Corridor connection to Atlantic City goes beyond the planning stage, historian Dennis Niceler reminds locals that the existed solely because of the railroads.
Beautiful Wastelands
The wastelands of the modern world can have an almost post-apocalyptic feel. But they can also be beautiful.
Preservation's Need for Diversity
Preservation will have to include a more diverse and multi-ethnic population in order to stay relevant, writes Kenneth Caldwell for The Architect's Newspaper.
The Corporate Forces Behind the Transcontinental Railroads
A new book looks into the history of the transcontinental railroads and how the corrupt connection between politics and business helped spread the American economy to the West.
Fast Web and Local Food Key to Chattanooga's Revival
Through a combination of local food initiatives and the installation of a new high-speed fiber optic network, the city of Chattanooga is hoping to continue its trend of recovering from years of industrial decline.
Rethinking Boosterism in the 'City of Quartz'
OF the many written works about Los Angeles, Mike Davis' "City of Quartz" stands out, according to this review by Los Angeles Times architecture critic Christopher Hawthorne.
Against the Olympic 'Regeneration Culture' in London
In a new book, author Iain Sinclair argues against the Olympic redevelopment of London's East End, and argues that the legacy goals its planners are pushing largely already exist.
The Whys and Hows of Historic Preservation
The Manufacturer's Hanover Trust Company building of New York from 1953 has been the focus of much debate over the right way to preserve an historically significant building.
Los Angeles' Legacy of Murals is Disappearing
The legacy of Los Angeles murals has all but left the city, buried under sign ordinances, billboard policy and tagging. Tanner Blackman in the Dept. of City Planning Code Studies Section is working to free up the knot of regulation.
Historic Preservation: The Reality Show
A new series from the BBC tracks six homeowners trying to convert historic (or just plain old) buildings into modern homes.
Repurposed Railyard Becomes Award-Winning Park
The City Parks blog looks at Santa Fe Railyard Park and Plaza, one of the winners of this year's Rudy Bruner Awards for Urban Excellence.
The Ambiguous City
Todd Reisz reviews "Living in the Endless City," a collection edited by Ricky Burdett, which looks at urban issues in Sao Paulo, Mumbai and Istanbul.
New Plaza Preserves Unexpected Historical Find
Plans to build a parking garage below an old plaza in Seville, Spain, revealed underground roman ruins. So the city built a new structure to hover over the site and to emphasize the area's historic amenities.
The History and the Flaws of the Cul-de-Sac
This episode of 99% Invisible looks into the history of the cul-de-sac, and why its design flaws overpower its benefits.
Discrimination Dressed Up As Discriminating Taste
In this post from Reason, Tim Cavanaugh joins the debate over preservation holding back the city, and argues that land use regulations have a wholesale negative impact on the city.
Conan O'Brien's Streetscape Improvements to Proposed 'Conan O'Brien Blvd.'
In response to Chicago's recent naming of a street in honor of Oprah Winfrey, late night TV host Conan O'Brien has suggested having his own street in L.A., along with various streetscape improvements.
Secret Plans for Chinese Version of Austrian Village Irk Locals
Plans to build a copy of a scenic Austrian village in China have irked officials in Hallstatt, Austria, a UNESCO World Heritage Site.
Old Airport to Become Large Urban Campground
An old disused airport in Brooklyn will be converted into an urban campground, expanding from its current 5 campsites to more than 600.
National Trust Picks Most Endangered Places for 2011
The National Trust for Historic Preservation releases a list each year highlighting their Top 11 Most Endangered Historic Places. This year's list includes buttes, hospitals, forts, alleys and John Coltrane's home in Dix Hills, New York.
Pagination
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