History / Preservation
America's First Archaeological Suburb?
Most developers dread finding archaeological remains. Normally it means months of delays and increased costs while archaeologists investigate the site. However, some savvy developers are turning archaeological finds into a marketing advantage.
Finding Ancient Cities Below the Surface
This slideshow form Popular Science takes a step-by-step look at how to detect and uncover ancient buried settlements from satellite imagery.
Missing Mass. Lighthouse Found -- In California
The historic lighthouse of Wellfleet, Massachusetts had mysteriously disappeared in 1925. Recently, an intrepid researcher uncovered its unlikely location.
Showdown at Valley Forge Over Land Use
History buffs clash over the proper use of Valley Forge site- preserved national park land, or 142,000-square-foot museum and conference center?
Bush Considers Massive Marine Conservation Effort
The Bush Administration is reportedly considering the creation of some of the world's large marine reserves by using the presidential powers granted by the Antiquities Act of 1906.
Want to Renovate Your San Francisco Home? Good Luck.
San Francisco city planners take a hard line on renovating the city's stock of historic homes. Homeowners, architects, and even preservationists are saying the department has gone too far.
Chicago's Michigan Avenue Endangered
One of Chicago's most famous streetscapes is threatened by proposed new towers.
City Of Stockton Gives Preservationists A Leg Up
The City of Stockton, California votes to impose a temporary moratorium on the demolition of potentially historic buildings to allow staff time to create a permanent ordinance.
Developer Wants to Tear Down Landmark, Rebuild A Few Blocks Away
If you demolish a building, then recreate it exactly in a different spot, will it retain its original character? Atlantans may find out.
Is This Building Worth Preserving?
A Googie-era Denny's Restaurant in the Seattle area is at the center of a debate about how buildings get designated as landmarks. Yesterday, the Preservation Board relented on economic considerations, and the building is slated for demolition.
California Land Conservation Agreement Will Create Sprawl
A recent agreement between developers and environmental groups puts the conservationists in the unfortunate position of not being able to oppose a plan that is the epitome of sprawl, according this editorial.
Saving and Improving Slums
This article from the Harvard Design Magazine looks at slums in Latin America and discusses the important role they play in their cities. Preserving the positive qualities of these communities is increasingly preferred over slum clearance.
When Preservation Trumps Smart Growth
A New Jersey town along the one of the state's light rail line has rejected a plan for adding new mixed-use residential to its downtown, for fear of new development threatening its main street's historic character.
From Dump to Park in Cairo
Cairo's first new green space in more than 100 years has opened -- on top of a 500-year old garbage dump.
City of Portland Maine Cuts Urban Design and Historic Preservation Staff
The City Manager of Portland, Maine terminates 98 positions, including the Urban Designer and Historic Preservation staff, eliminates the Parks Department, and moves the Economic Development department in to the Administrative office.
San Francisco Teaches Charleston About Preserving Lesser-Known Areas
Though more than a hundred years newer, the city of San Francisco has a lot to teach cities like Charleston about preserving their less-than-iconic historic areas.
Kalamazoo Leverages Historic Preservation As Economic Development Tool
Older buildings with lower rents have enabled new businesses to startup in this Michigan city's lively downtown.
Support Wanes for Turkey's Controversial Dam
A massive dam project in Turkey that would flood historic areas and displace 50,000 people is losing international support, as officials in Germany threaten to pull out of the project -- often called a smaller version of China's Three Gorges Dam.
A Battle Over Building Heights
In anti-growth Santa Barbara, preservationists and smart growth advocates have forged a compromise that will permit taller buildings for developments that include affordable housing.
Preserving a California Ghost Town
This article from Discover takes a tour of Bodie, California, a gold-mining mountain ghost town, where the entire city is in a state of "arrested decay".
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
