Next American City

A Discussion About the Post-Gentrification Discussion

“At this point I’m battling gentrification fatigue,” proclaims Dax-Devlon Ross, who has written extensively about his experiences as a self-proclaimed “black gentrifier” in West Harlem.

February 11, 2014 - Next American City

Los Angeles River Kayak

Accommodating Floods Instead of Destroying Waterways

The flood management story of Boulder, Colorado, includes a successful encounter with a 1,000-year rain event, and its lessons are less about concrete and dams than one might think.

February 6, 2014 - Next American City

Kansas City Bike Share Program Crowdfunds to Expand (Updated)

The B-Cycle bike share program in Kansas City is using a crowdfunding platform to generate funds for capital investments after an underwhelming attempt to generate funds for operations.

January 20, 2014 - Next American City

Accounting for the Port Authority’s Failures

The recent George Washington Bridge lane closure controversy, clouded by the presidential aspirations of New Jersey Governor Chris Christie, is only the most recent failure of management by the Port Authority of New York and New Jersey.

January 16, 2014 - Next American City

A Clash of Cultural Sensibilities in South Philly

Allyn Gaestel outlines the tensions that arise as a growing Vietnamese community begins to define the visual character of Washington Ave. in South Philadelphia.

November 20, 2012 - Next American City

Could Federal Guidance Make Public-Private Partnerships Easier?

Matt Bevilacqua takes a look at a new policy proposal that could pool expertise to help municipalities better coordinate public-private partnerships, "supporting bottom-up infrastructure investment" from the top down.

November 19, 2012 - Next American City

Making Community Engagement an Asset, Rather than a Chore

What does it mean to truly involve the public in planning processes? Neeraj Mehta finds "too much placation, manipulation and tokenism in our engagement efforts," and identifies principles for collective problem-solving and shared decision-making.

November 1, 2012 - Next American City

Can Cargo Bikes Replace Trucks and Minivans?

Is the adoption of cargo bikes the next step in America's evolution towards a European model of bikeability?

October 31, 2012 - Next American City

Tough Questions for Creative Placemakers

The process by which creative types colonize a distressed neighborhood, making it safe for hipsters and developers, has become a common template for urban revitalization efforts. Neeraj Mehta asks who is served, and who isn't, by these forces.

October 30, 2012 - Next American City

Guide to Building Better Streets Released

This week, NACTO released a preview of its Urban Street Design Guidebook, a document meant to assist local governments in designing their streets on the principle that they're spaces for people and commerce as well as arteries for traffic.

October 25, 2012 - Next American City

Debate Roundup: Why No Urban Issues?

"Another debate, another lack of urban topics," bemoans Matt Bevilacqua, reporting on last night's presidential town hall debate. Once again, issues of relevance to planners (climate change, transportation, housing, etc.) got nary a mention.

October 17, 2012 - Next American City

Setting a National Standard for Measuring GHG Emissions

It's hard to believe that in the decades since the impact of greenhouse gas emissions were first recognized, no standard for measuring and calculating emissions has been developed. The introduction of the Community Protocol intends to change that.

October 14, 2012 - Next American City

Using Twitter as a City's Suggestion Box

Writer David Lepeska offers a great summary of innovative civic technologies and mobile apps being used across the country, and speculates about which city will be the first to use Twitter as a very public suggestion box.

October 6, 2012 - Next American City

Turning Kids Into Planners

An experiment in Germany engages kids to build micro-cities as playgrounds. The idea is coming to downtown Philadelphia.

October 6, 2012 - Next American City

San Francisco Puts Affordable Housing Up For a Vote

Boasting some of the highest housing prices in the country, and rising, San Francisco is in desperate need of affordable housing. This November, the city's voters will have a chance to try to remedy the situation with two ballot measures.

October 5, 2012 - Next American City

Collaboration Breeds New Capabilities in Philadelphia

Alex Vuocolo reports on the new model of multi-stakeholder collaboration that is bringing acclaimed public spaces, and economic growth, to the city of Philadelphia.

September 28, 2012 - Next American City

Will D.C. Stand Up for America's Cities?

In his column Urban Nation, Harry Moroz argues for deeper involvement from the federal government in urban policy in order to give American cities the fighting chance they deserve to be healthy and enjoyable places to live.

September 19, 2012 - Next American City

America's Largest Cities Gamble on Casino-led Growth

An expanding number of cities across the U.S. are looking to attract urban casinos, with the hope that further development and money (tax revenues to fill drained city coffers) will follow.

September 2, 2012 - Next American City

New Orleans Prepares for Biggest Test Since Katrina

Seven years after Katrina made mincemeat of the city's flood protections, Hurricane Isaac is bearing down on the Crescent City. Ingrid Norton looks at what's different this time around.

August 28, 2012 - Next American City

Open Data Brings Power to the People

As the ways in which cities across the U.S. are utilizing the web continues to increase, open data is changing the way citizens interact with their government. Philadelphia is one city using information to level the power playing field.

August 24, 2012 - Next American City

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.

Top Books

An annual review of books related to planning.

Top Schools

The definitive ranking of graduate planning programs.

100 Most Influential Urbanists

The who's who of urbanism, according to Planetizen readers.

Urban Planning Creators You Should Know

A short list of voices on social, video, and podcasting platforms.