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Younger Greens Reject Old Ideas About Urbanity: John King argues that the approval of a new measure in Berkeley to promote density, transit oriented development and revitalization of the CBD is an example of the recent generational shifts in urban priorities.

Cycle City, USA: With the approval of their 2030 Bicycle Master Plan earlier this year, and the implementation of an ambitious marketing campaign to spark bicycle ridership, is Portland set to become America’s first world-class biking city?

Chicago Shutters Infamous Public Housing Complex: Chicago’s Cabrini-Green housing project, the city’s most infamous symbol of failed public housing, is set to close this month as a part of the Chicago Public Housing Authority’s “Plan for Transformation.” Although the closing of the complex undoubtedly marks the end of an “ugly era,” Cabrini’s former residents still face an uncertain future.

Los Angeles Mass Transit is Expanding: The largely auto-centric city of Los Angeles is finally making a push for major mass transit with a light rail line and new subway extensions. However, some ask whether the city’s sprawling geography and car-loving culture would even allow it to become a transit-oriented city like Paris or New York

An Airport Both TSA and Travelers Can Love: A second terminal is in the works for the SF International Airport, the first of its kind to attempt a Leed Gold Certification. The new terminal would include such sustainability features as “hydration stations” for visitors to refill water bottles, and food pavilions curated by SlowFood serving locally-sourced meals.

Photo Credit: Colleen McHugh

Elections Cloud High-Speed Rail's Future, Just as New Survey Shows It's Potential: The recent wins of politicians opposed to high-speed rail funding could threaten to stall rail projects in several states such as Florida and Ohio when, only days prior, the American Public Transportation Association had released a survey showing that 62% of people would patronize high speed rail service.

Sustainable Growth Formula Eludes Many China Cities: While some Chinese cities are making strides towards sustainable development, many others are still struggling to accommodate rapid urban growth in a sustainable manner. Failure to address these issues could mean serious consequences for the country's standard of living, as well as for the environment.

Tanzania Road Plan In Serengeti Offers Prospects and Fears: The New York Times looks at a controversial proposal in Tanzania to build national a highway straight through the center of Serengeti Park, an area that currently houses one of the most spectacular and rare ecosystems left on the planet.

Will UK's Cuts Force Poor Families Out of London? With Britain's government enacting tough new policies to slash housing aid and rent subsidies, thousands of low-income families are leaving the city in search of cheaper living costs. This exodus threatens to erode London's prized "patchwork" of mixed-income and multi-cultural neighborhoods.

The Potential for Solar Power is Enormous: Greenpeace's Solar Generation 2010 report shows the tremendous potential for solar power as a source of energy that could, theoretically, power 6,000 times our global energy consumption.

Photo Credit: Colleen McHugh

The Visitacion Valley Greenway [Photo Credit: Colleen McHugh]

Vancouver Council Approves Six-Month Trial for Hornby Bike Lanes: Vancouver approved a six-month trial to test out a new network of protected bike lanes in one of the city's busy arterials. The trial, which would replace 158 parking spots with bike lanes separated by concrete barriers, will continue despite worries that the lane could contribute to parking troubles and decreased patronage for the businesses along the street.

Portugal Plans the First 'City with a Brain': Portugal makes plans to build the world's first sustainable "city with a brain," complete with sensors in every building that would monitor occupancy, energy use and temperature, and adjust the city's power and water generation based on those factors.

How Los Angeles Might Look in the Future: CNN's Richard Quest reports on what a more sustainable future for Los Angeles might look like now that "sprawl has hit the wall." Can techniques like infill help create a more sustainable, walkable and livable LA?

Great Places in America: Public Spaces: The American Planning Institute releases its 2010 list of best public spaces in America. The parks, streets and neighborhoods were judged according to how well they are able to accommodate bikes, pedestrians and transit, provide a sense of comfort and safety, and utilize their existing topography.

Footbridge an Elegant New Icon in the East Bay: According to John King, a new pedestrian bridge in Pleasant Hill has brought "visual spark" to an area with no real sense of space, exemplifying how sometimes great design is worth the high price tag it can often come with.
 

The Tenderloin National Forest. [Photo Credit: Colleen McHugh]

Seattle Chooses NY Design Firm for New Waterfront: The same urban design firm that helped dream up the Highline in NYC has been selected as the lead designer for Seattle's new waterfront transformation, one of the more significant civic projects in the city's history. The $830 million project will attempt to reconnect Seattle to its central waterfront after the ancient Alaskan Way viaduct is torn down.

Austin Comprehensive Plan Process Frames Big Choices for Future: With Austin's population expected to double in the next 30 years, the city is finally doing what it has long avoided--creating a comprehensive plan of how the city will adapt to handle an influx of newcomers. Many hope the plan will allow Austin to grow economically, without sacrificing the small-town feel that made it attractive to much of the population.

How Sprawl is Lengthening Our Commutes and Why Misleading Mobility Measures are Making Things Worse: A new study by CEOs for Cities examines the costs and causes behind urban congestion, adding to the increasing body of evidence that compact development means shorter commute times and less money spent on highway maintenance.

Grocery Stores Try Setting Up Fake Farmers Markets: Local farmers markets have gotten so popular that chain grocery stores are now attempting to cash in on this success. Both Safeway and Albertsons were caught setting up fake "farmers markets" outside their stores in attempts to market their produce as locally grown.

Ads for Imaginary Buildings Highlight Real Lack of Development: In attempt to draw attention to the many vacant buildings in New Orleans, Rob Walker has created the "Hypothetical Development Organization," a project which gives dozens of empty buildings hypothetical futures by tacking architectural renderings of imaginary development onto their facades.