We've augmented our comprehensive list of Twitter's top sources for news and observations about urban planning, design and development by recognizing this year's Top Ten Feeds.
When we last published our Top Twitter Feeds list two years ago, the social media platform had approximately 145 million users. Earlier this year, Twitter was said to have surpassed half a billion users, cementing its status as an invaluable tool for sharing, discussing, and disseminating information and breaking news.
For 2012, we’ve recognized ten of the top Twitter feeds that we've encountered over the past year. The people and organizations we’ve spotlighted below are adept at bringing attention to their own work and the work of others, and offer insightful commentary in 140 character increments. For each entry we’ve made note of their twitter handle, their influence via Klout score, and the description they’ve provided.
|
Bruce Katz Katz, a vice president at the Brookings Institution and founding Director of the Brookings Metropolitan Policy Program, focuses on issues related to economic development, and keeps followers up to date on the latest in urban related research published by the venerable think tank. |
|
Brent Toderian After only six months of tweeting, the former Chief Planner, and current chief booster, for Vancouver, has quickly established himself as one of the most active and respected voices on urban issues on the platform. With more than 3,500 tweets (around 20/day), the Planetizen blogger is also one of the most prodigious. |
|
TransportationNation A partnership of several public radio newsrooms, TN provides links to transportation and infrastructure related content daily from around the web. TN has also been indispensable in keeping followers updated on the status of New York’s transit system in the aftermath of Superstorm Sandy. |
|
Emily Badger Author and contributor to several planning- and development-oriented publications, Badger engages her followers in thoughtful discussion, and delivers links on topics related to cities, design, politics, and social issues from her perch in the Nation’s Capital. |
|
Gary Kavanaugh Urban issues aren’t his day job, but you’d never know from the endless stream of provocative, unabashed, and entertaining commentary Kavanaugh delivers on a daily basis on issues largely related to transportation, and his passion for bicycling, in Los Angeles. |
|
Governing The twitter platform of the eponymous magazine provides links to nonpartisan news, insight and analysis on such issues as public finance, transportation, economic development, health, energy, the environment and technology. Their "Daily Digit" and "Who Said That?" features help make even the most mundane public sector reports compelling. |
|
Jarrett Walker The respected author and public transit guru fires shots across the bows of transportation engineers, planners, and public officials around the world in the bite-sized extension of his Human Transit blog. Walker isn’t shy about making his well considered opinions known. |
|
New Geography Follow this feed for links to the latest writings on economic development, metropolitan demographics, and community leadership from the conservative website run by Joel Kotkin and Praxis Strategy Group. Whether you're interested in reading opinions on why Americans still favor the suburbs or why "red states" continue to attract "blue state" residents, New Geography is a great source for contrarian opinions to the accepted planning dogma. |
|
Cameron Sinclair Executive Director and cofounder of Architecture for Humanity, and one of the leaders of the socially responsible design movement, Sinclair’s twitter feed documents his globe trotting adventures as a public speaker and do-gooder, and his often anguished (but occasionally celebratory) musings on his beloved Arsenal soccer team. |
|
Archinect A popular platform for students, educators, and architects interested in progressive design since its founding 15 years ago, follow Archinect for links to the website’s latest in architecture related news, commentary, events, and competitions. |
Planetizen Federal Action Tracker
A weekly monitor of how Trump’s orders and actions are impacting planners and planning in America.
Data reveals that NYC’s bet on congestion pricing has paid off
After almost two years of the program, reports show positive impacts on traffic and air quality and no disruptions to parking.
Denver is solving homelessness. Why aren't the rest of us?
Since 2023, Denver's street homeless population has decreased by 64%, proving that effective tools exist to support those in need of housing.
Michigan needs billions to save its water infrastructure. The state won't fund it
Michigan needs to invest $2.8 billion per year over the next 20 years to fix its water infrastructure. The FY 2027 budget allocates only $27.9 million.
Trump asks Supreme Court to allow border wall through Texas national park
Judge Kathleen Cardone previously blocked the Big Bend border wall project, and Texas’ Land Commissioner has spoken out against it as well.
This MA town is drowning in its own sewage — and residents like it that way
Susan Murcott, a waste water expert, said if Carlisle didn't address their leaking sewage, the problem could turn “deadly.”
FREE Course: Walkable City 1: Why Walkability?
After describing his path towards focusing on walkability as the essence of good planning, Jeff Speck marches through his five principal reasons for making more walkable places.
Reinventing Malls: Planning Alchemy—Turning Gray Fields Into Gold
The course focuses on the opportunities and imperatives that shape reinvention of mall sites.
City of Rosemead
Rutgers University, Edward J. Bloustein School of Planning and Public Policy
One Hundred Miles
The Architects Foundation
University of Cincinnati Online
Montrose County
Northern Illinois Transit Authority (NITA)
The Pocatello Development Authority
