Pic O’ the Day: Biscayne Boulevard and Bayfront Park

Planetizen: The Urban Planning, Design, and Development Network

• How Your House's Garage Enduces More Speeding and Less Walking January 6, 2014
  Throughout North America's auto-oriented suburbs, front-facing garages are a common feature of home design. According to Brent Toderian, that design decision has a significant impact on speeding and the quality of neighborhoods.
• Has America Lost the War on Poverty? January 6, 2014
  Though the war on poverty launched by President Lyndon B. Johnson has improved the lives of low-income Americans in many ways, poverty remains a persistent problem. Republicans and Democrats disagree over the solutions to the enduring challenge.
• The Number One Reason Why Portland is a Bike-Friendly City January 6, 2014
  In one word: safety. And, as Sarah Laskow explains, the more folks take to riding, the safer the streets become, so it builds on itself. Critical to road safety is bike infrastructure, like protected bike lanes, bike boxes and bike traffic signals.
• Is New Solar-Powered Ford a Game Changer? January 6, 2014
  Though their lack of emissions is admirable, the knock on electric vehicles is that their power is likely derived from dirty sources. Could a new solar-powered car unveiled by Ford kick-start the era of renewable energy-powered transportation?
• "Make It Right" Takes Wrong Step in Selection of Sustainable Materials January 5, 2014
  In the search for cutting edge, sustainable construction techniques, Brad Pitt's Make It Right Foundation may have taken a wrong step in its selection of materials. The nonprofit is spending $150,000 to replace rotting stairs and decks.
• 5 City IT Projects to Watch in 2014 January 5, 2014
  Here are five urban IT projects that are set to win big this year -- and serve as examples for cities everywhere.
• Historic Energy Reforms Come to Mexico, Maybe Venezuela Too January 5, 2014
  Mexico is poised to allow foreign investment in its state-owned oil company, Pemex, for the first time in 75 years. In Venezuela, home to the world's cheapest gasoline, prices are due to skyrocket if President Maduro ends subsidies as he's indicated.
• Want to Improve Road Safety? Don't Touch That Phone January 5, 2014
  A new study published in the New England Journal of Medicine examines which types of distractions lead to the most collisions. Researchers found that dialing while driving is the biggest safety hazard.
• America's First Female Architect Finally Receives Recognition January 5, 2014
  Louise Bethune was a trailblazer in architecture, yet her burial place didn't even bear her name for over a century. Buffalo's industry heavyweights honored her with a memorial marker last month.
• Too Fast or Too Slow? Environmental Review of NY/NJ Bridge Project Criticized January 4, 2014
  Though it's been expedited, the cumbersome environmental review process for a plan to raise the deck of the Bayonne Bridge has New York area leaders fuming over impediments to economic development. Others contend the review is being rushed.