Design

What's Wrong with the "Green" Design Revolution

In an interview with the British inventor James Dyson, Ben Schiller discusses the future of engineering and design in America and the fallacies behind much "green" design.

March 3, 2012 - Fast Company

Top 2011 Design Milestones for the Public Good

Archinect's John Cary compiles a comprehensive list of most forward-thinking designs in 2011 that have impacted people's lives, and the way they interact with the built environment.

December 25, 2011 - Archinect

Getting Around Underground Could be Easier

Part of this week's Urban Design Week in New York City, design duo Original Champions of Design present three solutions to a weak wayfinding system currently in place in the city's subways.

September 23, 2011 - Fast Company

Harvesting a Bike Frame in One Piece

Student designer Alexander Vittouris won a design award for his bicycle made out of bamboo. What's so special about that? Vittouris shaped the frame as it grew so it needed no assembly.

July 23, 2011 - Grist

The New Way to Play

New playground designs are shaking up public parks around the world. So long, slides, hello interpretive playscapes.

July 12, 2011 - Dwell

Designers and Architects a Major Aspect of New York City's Economy

A new report focusing on design professionals and architects in New York finds that these industries are on a strong growth path and create a significant impact on the local economy.

June 10, 2011 - Urban Omnibus

Designing the 'Cycle Space'

Architectural historian and urban planner Steven Fleming is expanding the study of cities and mobility by looking at how designers are reacting to bicycling and how bicycles are set to transform the way cities work.

June 1, 2011 - Bike Portland

Making Good Design a National Priority

A growing number of nations are instituting design standards and architecture policies to help make good design a part of the national strategy.

May 16, 2011 - Architect

Architecture Projects with a Regional Mindframe

An increasing amount of architecture projects in the U.S. are taking regional concerns like water and energy production into consideration.

May 14, 2011 - Architect

Skyscrapers of the Future

The 2011 eVolo Skyscraper Competition turned up some unusual and futuristic designs for future skyscrapers and other structures, from a reimagined Hoover Dam to a Ferris Wheel-shaped wind turbine.

April 24, 2011 - Popular Science

Pursuing New Development Ideas

As funding falters in the private sector, some privately- or university-driven design centers are still pursuing new ideas is urban design and development. Places profiles one at the University of Arkansas.

April 16, 2011 - Places

Designing Out Unrest in Public Space

This episode of 99% Invisible explores public spaces and their role in political change, and how over hundreds of years, riots have defined New York's Tompkins Square Park -- despite efforts to design unrest out.

April 9, 2011 - 99% Invisible

Visualizing Water in the Landscape

Water shortages are on the rise, and effective management of this dwindling resource is becoming increasingly important to cities. How architects and planners visualize water in the landscape plays a big role in how it is understood and managed.

April 3, 2011 - Places

Toronto's Concrete City Hall, and its Concrete Furniture

Toronto's City Hall is a massive concrete structure. Oddly, so was all its furniture, which was included with the original design. 99% Invisible looks at this unconventional design choice, and the legacy of that furniture.

March 5, 2011 - 99% Invisible

Bridge Plan Rejected in Favor of Cheaper Alternatives

Long-held plans for a new bridge over the Columbia River between Portland and Vancouver, Washington, have been thrown out by a panel of experts who have suggested cheaper alternatives.

February 9, 2011 - The Oregonian

The Age of DIY Urbanism

Economic crises tend to manifest themselves in specific design trends, especially in the field of architecture. This latest recession has spurred the age of Do-It-Yourself architecture and urbanism.

February 1, 2011 - Places

Wayfinding Symbols Across the World

Metro stations, train stations and streetcar systems have distinct ways of showing how to get from one area to another. TheCityFix's Jonna McKone looks at mass transit systems from Mexico City to Paris and the visual representations used in each one.

January 11, 2011 - TheCityFix

Zombie Minimalism

Minimalism, long declared dead, rises from the grave to lumber on, writes Sam Jacob. Can it be stopped?

January 10, 2011 - Strange Harvest

How To Be a Blind Architect

99% Invisible talks with Chris Downey, an architect who lost his sight three years ago and who continues to work.

November 20, 2010 - 99% Invisible

Why People Love Their Communities

Appreciation of diversity, social offerings, and aesthetics trump jobs, economy, and safety according to a new survey by Gallup/Knight.

November 16, 2010 - John S. and James L. Knight Foundation

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.