Calling all planners, public admin. types, adult education gurus and other smarty pants: I need to develop a training program or at least a strategy for developing a training program for further planning on the local level, put the hard parts. [more inside]
posted by stormygrey on Oct 23, 2009 - 10 answers

I understand the danger parvovirus poses to puppies, but what are the odds of a puppy contracting the disease in the US (specifically Alameda County, California)? [more inside]
posted by zippy on Sep 1, 2009 - 10 answers

Have heard a story told to me as a "true" story that someone supposedly has personal knowledge of, but I could swear I've heard this before, either as urban legend, or maybe from the plot of a movie or book. Does anyone recognize this story? [more inside]
posted by leticia on Aug 16, 2009 - 8 answers

If you've ever lived in or visited Chicago and had a good time without getting hopelessly lost, you are cordially invited to post in this thread. Needed: an explanation of the grid system, tips and tricks on navigation, and recommendations for how to find the underground music scene, awesome beers, weird things to explore, and the best Chicago-focused blogs. [more inside]
posted by Juliet Banana on Aug 13, 2009 - 44 answers

I am looking for an essay by Wendell Berry where he talks about urban America's dismissive biases toward rural America, and critiques this attitude. [more inside]
posted by jeffmshaw on Aug 7, 2009 - 7 answers

St. Louis, Missouri lost over half its population from 1950-1990. Since the mid-1990s, 80,000 Bosnian immigrants (coming to represent over 20% of the city's population) have established communities that have saved large areas of housing stock from decay. In which other instances have large, permanent groups of non-migrant, non-domestically employed immigrants been settled en masse helping to shore-up a city that is losing population but otherwise has the infrastructure to accommodate more? Has there been any debate or discussion about hypothetical proposals to encourage something similar in Detroit? [more inside]
posted by jjjjjjjijjjjjjj on Jul 27, 2009 - 15 answers

Graffiti Filter: Looking for a photo or confirmation of a myth of an epic and humorous piece of graffiti. [more inside]
posted by GJSchaller on Jul 22, 2009 - 4 answers

How can I get my neighbor to stop playing Stand By Me on repeat at ear-splitting volumes? [more inside]
posted by YoungAmerican on Jul 12, 2009 - 23 answers

How do I grow food and be more sustainable in a shady city apartment? [more inside]
posted by Lord_Pall on Jul 2, 2009 - 16 answers

How do I reduce the amount I'm threatened on the street in an urban environment? [more inside]
posted by wastelands on Jun 22, 2009 - 47 answers

Specify me a cost-no-object urban bike. [more inside]
posted by Joe Beese on May 23, 2009 - 22 answers

Experimental and radical urban planning: Where are the interesting multidisciplinary graduate programs in the U.S.? [more inside]
posted by lunalaguna on Apr 22, 2009 - 4 answers

I love renting a house in urban Atlanta! I hate renting a house in urban Atlanta! Can anyone help me find a place to fix my car... myself? [more inside]
posted by TheNewWazoo on Apr 21, 2009 - 4 answers

Where can I find International Urban Planning Jobs? [more inside]
posted by pawlyk on Apr 8, 2009 - 4 answers

What are the biggest changes in Vancouver (BC) over the last seven years? [more inside]
posted by Gortuk on Jan 30, 2009 - 4 answers

Are there techniques or methods to determine how a city will grow and in what direction it will grow? [more inside]
posted by reenum on Jan 12, 2009 - 11 answers

How can I raise money to build a playground for inner-city kids? [more inside]
posted by peetle on Dec 22, 2008 - 6 answers

What are some places "off the beaten path", I can explore in urban environments? For photography, and my own amusement. [more inside]
posted by sixcolors on Dec 15, 2008 - 14 answers

Are "Dog Parks" a new indicator of urban gentrification? [more inside]
posted by wfrgms on Nov 13, 2008 - 13 answers

GreeningGrantFilter: I'm a volunteer at a soup kitchen who recently got asked to look for sources of funding for a "green" initiative. I have lots of experience chopping vegetables and coming up with ideas in the past, but on this issue of financing....none at all. [more inside]
posted by anonymous on Oct 7, 2008 - 2 answers

Aside from landmark buildings and tourist architecture, where can I take my out-of-town friend (an amateur photographer) to capture unique shots in Toronto this weekend? [more inside]
posted by nathaole on Aug 26, 2008 - 14 answers

Help me with this Urban Planning problem. I live in your typical bedroom community on the perimeter of a large metropolitan area. We have about 30,000 residents and a lot going for us in terms of community and location. We're going to get hooked up on the regions new commuter rail system, but it's on the far side of the community and I don't see it getting much use without a feeder system of some kind. Our regional mass transit system sucks otherwise; so we're on our own to develop an intra-community system that will keep our community vibrant, green, and support commuter rail. [more inside]
posted by IndigoSkye on Aug 22, 2008 - 14 answers

What's left of the old Whitby Psychiatric Ward? I heard a lot of it has been torn down so I wanted to make sure there was still something there before I spend the money on gas to get there. [more inside]
posted by Joseppi on Aug 17, 2008 - 2 answers

Owning a dog in the city? What do I need to know? [more inside]
posted by doppleradar on Jul 28, 2008 - 13 answers

I'm looking for "urban" decoration and posters. [more inside]
posted by edmz on Jul 18, 2008 - 8 answers

Bored on a lazy Sunday afternoon? How about helping me come up with ideas/suggestions on how I should plan an urban scavenger hunt? [more inside]
posted by wile e on Jul 12, 2008 - 12 answers

Urban exploration question. Does anyone know of any entrances to the Seattle Underground? [more inside]
posted by Holy foxy moxie batman! on Jul 10, 2008 - 3 answers

I'm looking for some research or (last resort) anecdotal stories about the effect of improved/improving schools on communities/neighborhoods. [more inside]
posted by jeanmari on Jun 3, 2008 - 8 answers

Are there any small or medium sized cites that are producing a disproportionate number of famous, ambitious, or motivated people? [more inside]
posted by brandnew on May 29, 2008 - 53 answers

A few years ago, I saw a series of videos online, all featuring odd robotic time-shifted dancing within urban environments at night. I can't track them down. [more inside]
posted by davebush on May 14, 2008 - 5 answers

Can I raise fish for eating in my back yard? [more inside]
posted by serazin on May 9, 2008 - 8 answers

I'm looking for a good urban bicycle, a bit sturdier than a road bike but not as gonzo as a mountain bike, ideally priced under $1000. I know this has been asked here before, but not in a few years, so I'm sure new models have come out, etc. Anyone got any favorites?
posted by dearleader on Apr 9, 2008 - 27 answers

Childhood obesity prevention programs that incorporate (or center around) community vegetable gardens. Know any? [more inside]
posted by Stewriffic on Mar 7, 2008 - 4 answers

Why are there certain intersections in Manhattan that do not have "Walk/Don't Walk" signs? [more inside]
posted by nomad73 on Feb 22, 2008 - 7 answers

Are there any books that take a Freakonomics like approach to explaining and analyzing urban sprawl? [more inside]
posted by stedman15 on Feb 6, 2008 - 14 answers

What potential or existing strategies are there for developing large urban economies without relying on international investment, transnational corporations, etc.? [more inside]
posted by poweredbybeard on Jan 30, 2008 - 12 answers

Boston Biking 101: Does biking in Boston for daily commute/activities make sense? [more inside]
posted by doppleradar on Nov 24, 2007 - 15 answers

Master's Degree in Urban Planning: now, later, or never? I'm in my third year of law school, and I've realized (after taking on a pile of debt) that I don't really want to practice law. I think urban planning is the right field for me. Should I rush to get applications in now to start a program next fall, or should I enter the workplace and try to apply next year? Or should I skip the urban planning degree and start applying for planning jobs with my JD? [more inside]
posted by stopgap on Nov 23, 2007 - 15 answers

I am looking for books ( fiction or non-fiction ) about the adventures of city living. Give me tales of colorful characters in New York, dandys in London, and criminals in Tokyo. I want to read about restaurants, jazz clubs, gambling dens, eccentric shops, and seedy alleyways.
posted by jasondigitized on Nov 23, 2007 - 36 answers

Transportation systems have always dictated the form of cities and places. How does the advent of modern information & communication technology change this? [more inside]
posted by andrewmarc on Nov 11, 2007 - 7 answers

If cities (or the pressure on city services) grow faster than the wealth held by individuals grows, how does the bottom not fall out given that municipal growth is largely funded by taxes? [more inside]
posted by regicide is good for you on Oct 22, 2007 - 34 answers

Hi I was wondering if anyone could recommend to me any sources, either on the internet or of personal experiences and recommendations, of urban exploring in the San Diego area. I am a student at UCSD and Fridays need to be better than catching up on homework. Thank you!
posted by albernathy0 on Oct 19, 2007 - 10 answers

I heard a story on NPR some time ago, and am having no luck finding it now. It was about a man, possibly a professor of architecture, who taught students how to mindfully walk and study the suburban landscape. Who was this person? [more inside]
posted by jquinby on Oct 10, 2007 - 12 answers

What is generally known about job satisfaction in urban China? [more inside]
posted by gttommy on Oct 9, 2007 - 11 answers

Women's urban clothing. I'd like to find more brands of clothing like G-Star Raw and Triple 5 Soul. I particularly like this jacket and this shirt and this blazer. What are other retailers or brands that sell kinda tough, kinda sexy, kinda rugged apparel, specifically for women? [more inside]
posted by barnone on Oct 6, 2007 - 11 answers

I am an aspiring urban planner who lives in the U.S. I am wondering what urban planners would do differently if they could start from scratch and cost wasn't an issue. For example, it is been proven that round-abouts are far safer than your typical intersections found in the U.S. So, as an urban planner, I would recommend roundabouts. Would all cities be built on a grid system? Would all cities have bullet trains or car-pool lanes? Underground power-lines? Phone-charging stations? What would you do differently if you rebuilt Los Angeles or Miami?
posted by kaizen on Sep 28, 2007 - 41 answers

Who did the original of this iconic girl? [more inside]
posted by bru on Sep 16, 2007 - 7 answers

I have this book craving but I really don't know where to start, I just know what I want: urban, cold and miserable - and its set in Russia ( or some Eastern European State ). [more inside]
posted by mrgreyisyelling on Sep 13, 2007 - 33 answers

My sister called with disturbing news: tonight, gunfire broke out in the apartment building she just moved into. What advice should I give her? [more inside]
posted by roger ackroyd on Sep 4, 2007 - 19 answers

What is the difference between urban and rural Medicare physician reimbursements? [more inside]
posted by ikkyu2 on Jun 4, 2007 - 9 answers