Crowdsourcing

Citizen Science Day in Bridger-Teton National Forest

6 Examples of Citizen Science at Work

A few examples from around the world illustrate the power of crowdsourcing to expand the scope of scientific inquiry.

December 30, 2019 - Kayla Matthews

Sidewalk

In D.C., Sidewalks Don’t Equal Walkability

In theory, sidewalks are what make cities walkable. But in Washington, D.C., many sidewalks are not accessible to the people who use them.

September 26, 2019 - Greater Greater Washington

Americans With Disabilities Act

'Project Sidewalk' Crowdsources ADA Compliance

A crowdsourcing app allows citizens to hold the public realm to higher standards of access and mobility.

April 27, 2019 - Crosscut

Bus Stop

Crowdsourced Bus Startup Expands Service

The first company to determine bus routes by popular demand has found success in multiple states.

December 20, 2018 - Metro Magazine

Transit Agency Social Media

SEPTA Catches Philadelphia's Mascot Fever

And perhaps regrets it.

October 3, 2018 - philly.com

Pokémon Go

The Gig Economy for Mapping

A new startup wants to use blockchain and the Uber model to create free, open-source maps.

September 26, 2018 - CityLab

Tour et Taxis, Thurn en Taxis

Friday Fun: Ceci N’est Pas une Rue

When allowing a crowd to decide the name of something important, make sure to add a layer of self-control.

August 24, 2018 - Quartz

Meet the New 'Neighborhood Stereotyping Tool'

'Hoodmaps' are here, but the crowdsourcing map tool is attempting to improve on the "Judgmental Maps" that came before.

September 4, 2017 - Curbed LA

Road Safety

'Video Analytics' a New Tool for Vision Zero Traffic Safety Goals

Project launch seeks volunteers to analyze videos, support new technology

June 6, 2017 - GeekWire

Chariot Commuter Shuttle in San Francisco Expands 50 Percent After Ford Acquisition

Chariot shuttle service, recently acquired by Ford Motor Company, may soon be a more formidable competitor for San Francisco's public transit provider, Muni, due to an expansion to 150 vans. Expect new routes, five-minute headways, and $4 rides.

December 6, 2016 - San Francisco Chronicle

Pickerington, Ohio

Which U.S. Cities Are Lowering Parking Minimums?

Based on crowdsourced data from across the country, this updated map shows which municipalities have eliminated, lowered, or discussed their parking minimum laws.

December 1, 2016 - Strong Towns

Killer Mike

Atlanta's New Tunnel-Boring Machine Named for a Rapper

The people have chosen a name for a new tunnel-boring machine in Atlanta, and the name they chose is Driller Mike.

September 23, 2016 - Pitchfork

Los Angeles

How Well Do You Know Your City's Boundaries?

A new crowdsourced map projects asks people to draw their city limits from memory.

September 9, 2016 - CityLab

Woman Computer

Four Steps to Enhanced Crowdsourcing

The second "Empowered Design, By 'the Crowd'" article offers insight into making the most out of new crowdsourcing resources.

May 2, 2016 - Kendra L. Smith and Lindsey Collins

Public Garden (don't reuse)

Let's Talk About Civic Crowdfunding and Government Responsibility

A reply to skeptics about the democratic power and potential of civic crowdfunding platforms.

April 4, 2016 - Katie Lorah

Solidarity

Empowered Design, By 'The Crowd'

Crowdsourcing offers a viable resource for planners to empower communities and engage citizens to collectively innovate solutions to complex urban problems.

March 17, 2016 - Lindsey Collins and Kendra L. Smith

Planning Better Bike Infrastructure with Wikimaps

Fairfax County, Virginia is taking an innovative approach to crowdsourcing feedback on how to improve bicycle infrastructure around transit stations.

April 16, 2015 - Greater Greater Washington

Friday Funny: Trolling the World's Landmark Buildings

Some people just can't find beauty any where in the world—even while visiting the world's most iconic buildings.

November 28, 2014 - Citymetric

Crowdsourced App Finds Playgrounds for All Children

A new application, "Playgrounds for Everyone," has a growing database of 2505 inclusive and accessible playgrounds around the country suitable for children with special needs.

September 12, 2014 - NPR

New York City's Crowdsourced Street Safety Map

As part of the Vision Zero initiative for traffic safety, the city has hosted a map system that allowed citizens to report safety issues encountered on the street. With the reporting period now over, you can still peruse the findings of the exercise.

August 5, 2014 - StreetsBlog NYC

News from HUD User

HUD's Office of Policy Development and Research

Call for Speakers

Mpact Transit + Community

New Updates on PD&R Edge

HUD's Office of Policy Development and Research

Top Books

An annual review of books related to planning.

Top Websites

The best of the Internet—since 2002.

Top Apps

Planning apps for a brave new world.

Top Schools

The definitive ranking of graduate planning programs.

Urban Design for Planners 1: Software Tools

This six-course series explores essential urban design concepts using open source software and equips planners with the tools they need to participate fully in the urban design process.

Planning for Universal Design

Learn the tools for implementing Universal Design in planning regulations.