City Apps

2017 Apps

The Best Planning Apps for 2017

A list of mobile apps that support planning, as part of an annual update. Learn about exciting new ways to explore cities and enhance planning via mobile apps. Please feel free to add your own favorites.

January 4, 2017 - Jennifer Evans-Cowley

Map and Phone Navigation

The Best Planning Apps for 2016

A list of mobile apps that support planning, as part of an annual update. Learn about exciting new ways to explore cities and enhance planning via mobile apps. Please feel free to add your own favorites.

January 4, 2016 - Jennifer Evans-Cowley

Rainbow

Make Your City a Treasure Hunt

Do you remember going on a treasure hunt as a child? Treasure hunts are becoming increasingly popular with adults, as well as children. Technology has enabled mobile treasure hunts with cities across the world hosting hunts.

July 10, 2015 - Jennifer Evans-Cowley

Snowplow

Pittsburgh Launches GPS-Enabled Snow Plow Tracker

Pittsburgh has a new web-based portal for residents to track snow removal operations as they happen. It's the latest example of a city allowing public access to the details of city operations during snowstorms.

January 22, 2015 - CityLab

Social Media Apps

The Best Planning Apps for 2015

A list of mobile apps that support planning, as part of an annual update. Learn about exciting new ways to explore cities and enhance planning via mobile apps. Please feel free to add your own favorites.

December 28, 2014 - Jennifer Evans-Cowley

A New Buzzword for Changing Cities: 'Trust'

Christopher Swope writes of the emergence of the word "trust" in the buzzy lexicon of urbanism.

October 8, 2014 - Citiscope

Why Smart Cities Must be Sharing Cities

Julian Agyeman and Duncan McLaren make the case that the only smart city is a shareable city.

September 30, 2014 - Zocalo Public Square

Real-Time Multi-Modal Way-Finding—Displayed in the Public Realm

The TransitScreen service has been around since 2012, but it’s latest product, real-time displays of all modes of transportation, can display in the public realm, providing a whole new level of interaction with the city.

April 15, 2014 - Fast Co. Design

Living Cities Screen Grab

Seven Apps to Improve Quality of Life in Cities

It’s no secret that more and more people are using smart phones to get the most out of their urban experiences—at home or while traveling. Guardian Cities lists some of the best urban apps and launches a contest to find the best apps worldwide.

March 11, 2014 - Guardian Cities

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.