Urban Areas

Woman sitting on bench at rural bus stop

Urban Population Shrinks After Census Definition Change

The U.S. Census Bureau raised the bar for communities to qualify as urban areas.

January 3, 2023 - U.S. Census Bureau

California Water Pipeline

Cities Win the Water Reallocation Game, Study Shows

A new study says that huge amounts of water are moved from rural areas to cities to support rapidly growing urban populations.

April 23, 2019 - The Straits Times

Rural Utah

When Cities Prosper, Rural Areas Are Better Off

The pitting of cities and rural communities against one another is the wrong approach. Instead, policies that help cities thrive will benefit rural areas in the long run.

December 9, 2018 - Brookings

Rural Utah

U.S. Divisions Between Urban and Rural Aren't as Clear as Politicians Suggest

Urban vs. rural is just one example of the many false dichotomies presented as fact during the presidential campaign. A more nuanced understanding of these terms reveals more of the country's real character.

August 5, 2016 - Brookings

Study: Cities Gaining Post-Recession Economic Clout

As the dust settles from the Great Recession—evidence is growing to support the growing relevance of urban areas in the overall economic picture of the United States.

January 12, 2016 - City Observatory

Crime Dropping in Urban Areas

Crime in urban areas is on the decline. Some attribute the drop to increases in the amount of people returning to city centers.

August 17, 2011 - Governing

City of Crows

Crows are seemingly everywhere, including cities. A new book looks at the relationship between people and crows in urban areas and what it says about modern cities.

May 27, 2011 - THE DIRT

Urban Life, In Dance

Choreographer Jenni Bregman studied human use and interaction in urban areas to create her latest dance piece, "Intimate City."

May 25, 2011 - The Polis Blog

Understanding the World's Urban Transition

Two writers from different parts of the world collaborate to expound on the evolution of places and how best to understand the changes underway in the urban world.

April 28, 2011 - Sustainable Cities Collective

The Fall of the Suburbs

In this wide-ranging post for The Atlantic, the NRDC's Kaid Benfield explores some of the major trends playing out in urban and suburban America, and how the suburbs are less and less the dominant urban form in the market.

April 27, 2011 - The Altantic

The False Debate Between Cities and Suburbs

The debate over urbanism often pits suburbs against urban areas. But the real debate is about walkable areas versus car-dependent ones, according to Christopher Leinberger.

April 21, 2011 - The New Republic

Cities As Coyote Habitat

Event the densest and most populated urban areas in America are seeing increasing numbers of coyotes.

October 7, 2010 - Orion

'Greening the Ghetto'

Low income housing can also be green housing. A new trend in home design and community activism is giving even inexpensive housing a green sheen.

September 7, 2010 - Los Angeles Times

Is A Denser Urban World Inevitable?

Writing in Foreign Policy, Joel Kotkin argues that increasing urbanization and density are not inevitable realities.

August 18, 2010 - Foreign Policy

Urban Cemetery Space Running Out

In crowded New York City, finding a final resting place in one of the city's cemeteries is becoming increasingly difficult and expensive. Other major cities are facing the same crunch.

August 16, 2010 - The New York Times

Designing Cars for Future Megacities

With the global urban population on the rise and cities expected to become densely populated mega-cities, automakers are trying to design cars for future cities.

July 5, 2010 - The New York Times

CO2 'Domes' Pose Problems for Cities

New research suggests that huge domes of carbon dioxide hover over urban areas, which is prompting some scientists and policymakers to stress the importance of cities as the frontlines of the war on greenhouse gas emissions.

March 18, 2010 - Grist

Rural Suicides Far Exceed Urban Suicides

Suicide rates are on the rise in rural areas, according to a new study. Compared to urban areas, rural men are committing suicide 54% more often.

September 28, 2009 - The Daily Yonder

The Effects of the Background Noise of City Life

Urban sounds can have an effect on people -- both physically and mentally. This sonic tour through New York City examines how sounds affect urbanites.

August 3, 2009 - Discover

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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.