Social / Demographics
Inside the American Community Survey - A Non-Planner's View
The apartment where Ishmael Sanchez lives was randomly selected to participate in the U.S. Census Bureau's American Community Survey. He's not a planner or a demographer, and doesn't use or particularly care about Census data. But, because he was required by law to do so, he responded to the survey.
Housing Debacle Threatens Renters
A new report examines the impacts of the mortgage meltdown on rental housing.
Is 'Sex And The City' To Blame For New York's Gentrification?
With its portrait of glamorous living in Manhattan, some New Yorkers can't help but blame the television series for fueling the city's gentrification. Even the show's star, Sarah Jessica Parker, laments Manhattan's loss of 'grit'.
The Catch-22 Of Gas Prices
If driving less makes prices fall -- will Americans respond by driving more?

People Like Cars, And There's Not Much You Can Do About It
With climate change on the mind of the world's policy makers, the auto-oriented design of our cities has been singled out as a major culprit -- and understandably so. Cars burn a lot of fossil fuel, so getting people to walk, bike and use public transportation more would help cut down on pollution and green house gases.
But how to get people out of their cars? The key, many agree, is to redesign cities. Right now cities are designed for people moving around in their cars, so it's unreasonable to expect people to use any other means of transportation. But give them a city that's planned for walking, biking and public transit -- and it could be a whole new ballgame.
Staff Shortages Threaten System As Planners Age
A recent survey of the planning profession in the United Kingdom has found that there likely won't be enough young planners to replaces the aging planners approaching retirement.
Will Planners Save the Country's Overlooked Masses?
From unemployment to rising rents to widespread foreclosures, many major problems face Americans. In his latest column, Neal Peirce argues that planners are the ones who can formulate a broad solution.
Debating L.A.'s Growth, Traffic and Transit
The Transit Coalition's Bart Reed and USC planning Professor Peter Gordon debate transit and traffic in L.A. in this five-part point-counterpoint series.

Yes or No: Evaluating Public Transit
On the bus this morning I was handed a survey asking me to detail my satisfaction with the Los Angeles County Metropolitan Transportation Authority's public transit system. As a daily bus commuter, I was more than happy to spend my two cents, but I'm a bit skeptical that those two cents will really do anything.
More Fast Food Makes Fatter Neighborhoods
High rates of obesity and diabetes are being correlated to high concentrations of fast food restaurants in neighborhoods. Some look to zoning as a solution.
Rental Market Heating Up Due To Foreclosures
Americans who've lost their homes to foreclosure are now looking to rent, tightening up already low vacancy rates and driving up prices. Meanwhile, foreclosed homes sit empty.
City Explores Ways To Provide Access To Healthy Food
Seattle's new local food initiative will try to help provide access to health, fresh food in neighborhoods that are a long walk or bus ride from a supermarket.
Earth To Houston: Wake Up And Smell The Greenhouse Gas Emissions
While the American Dream Coalition celebrates the 'freedom and affordability' of Houston -- Robert Steuteville wonders why the group ignores the environmental and financial consequences of such an auto-dependent city.

Live From Vegas: Millennial Planners, Activist Planners, & The CE Soap Opera
I'm at the Paris Hotel on the Vegas strip for the 100th annual American Planning Association (APA) conference, which started Saturday, and runs through Thursday, May 1. The conference offers 300 sessions and 60 mobile workshops to the approximately 5,000 participants.
And it's going to be a crowded week, if the 30-minute line for coffee this morning in the Paris boulangerie is any indication.
Infrastructure matters; Planners should be politically active.
- older posts
- Login or register to post comments
- Read more




