United States

From White Flight to "Bright Flight"

The Brookings Institution finds that suburban America has reached a "tipping point" and is now home to more ethnic minorities, seniors, and lower income households.

May 10, 2010 - Huffington Post

U.S. Carbon Emissions Drop 7%

In the most significant decrease since 1949, carbon emissions in the U.S. fell 7% in 2009. Sadly, part of the falloff is the result of the economic crisis.

May 10, 2010 - Fast Company

Iron Man 2 and the Future of Energy

The plot of the summer blockbuster Iron Man 2 revolves around a fictional 1974 Expo, with the slogan "Better Living Through Technology." Managing Editor Tim Halbur says the film reflects the misplaced faith in technology and innovation that still drives Americans optimism.

May 9, 2010 - Tim Halbur

The Curse of the Cul de Sac

A new study found that residents in areas with interconnected streets travel 26% fewer miles by automobile than those in areas with lots of cul-de-sacs.

May 9, 2010 - The Infrastructurist

Looking Back at I.M. Pei's Plan for Oklahoma City

I.M. Pei's 1964 redesign of Oklahoma City involved the destruction of more than 500 buildings. It was abandoned in the 80s. A model now on display reveals the modernist ideal that Pei envisioned and eventually failed to inspire redevelopment.

May 8, 2010 - The Oklahoman

Mortgage Tax Breaks Encourage McMansions

Edward L. Glaeser says that the government policy of encouraging homeownership through tax breaks subsidizes Americans to buy bigger homes which waste energy.

May 8, 2010 - The Boston Globe

How to Fix the Highway System

Two major reports released in the last couple of weeks detail very different approaches to fixing the highway system in the U.S. At the National Journal, experts weigh in on who has the right approach.

May 8, 2010 - National Journal Online

Peak Hour Parking Pricing Working In Greenwich Village & Brooklyn

Marketplace reports on the parking market from NYC. Peak hour parking is being applied on Sixth Ave in Greenwich Village as a trial to increase parking availability and decrease congestion. Due to positive results, it's now being tried in Brooklyn.

May 7, 2010 - Marketplace (American Public Media - Radio)

Turning Freeways Into Parkways

Across the country, grey-to-green transformations are in the works, capping freeways to reconnect neighborhoods with urban parks.

May 7, 2010 - USA Today

Videoconferencing as Planning Tool

Former Planetizen managing editor Christian Madera proposes that videoconferencing could revolutionize the public meeting because the entire proceedings could be "broken up and digitized."

May 7, 2010 - Next American City

What Obama Should do About Energy

The Deepwater Horizon disaster presents President Obama with an opportunity to "move boldly" on alternative energy, writes Bill McKibben.

May 7, 2010 - AlterNet

Baking in Public, at the Community Oven

A growing grassroots effort for community-building is to build brick ovens in vacant lots to encourage gatherings. Kyla Fullenwider of GOOD gives step-by-step instructions for putting one in your neighborhood.

May 6, 2010 - GOOD Magazine

Learning From Cleveland's Healthline BRT

With a plan to distribute $775 million in federal funding for urban bus projects, Next American City's Yonah Freemark suggests using it to fund projects like Cleveland's Healthline BRT.

May 6, 2010 - Next American City

Parks Are Sprawl-Preventers

Kathryn Gustafson of the firm Gustafson Guthrie Nichol says that urban parks are an antidote to sprawl because they give city dwellers the room to breathe that often drives them to the suburbs.

May 5, 2010 - ASLA's The Dirt blog

Jane Jacobs Missed the Mark on Density

Jane Jacobs is probably the most well-regarded writer on urban issues in American history. But, as economist Edward L. Glaeser argues, her stance on urban density is a little bit off-target.

May 5, 2010 - The New York Times

The Rise of the Form-Based Code

There are nearly 300 form-based codes either enacted or in development across North America. New Urban News takes a look at the rising trend.

May 5, 2010 - New Urban News

22 Cities on the Streetcar Bandwagon

This article looks at the growing popularity of streetcars in American cities, and highlights 22 cities that are planning to have new streetcar lines within the next two years.

May 5, 2010 - Scientific American

America in 2050: More Decentralized

The U.S. is expected to grow by more than 100 million people over the next 40 years, and much of that growth will occur in urban areas. Joel Kotkin says that this growth will highlight the inefficiencies of centralized power.

May 5, 2010 - Governing

Why the Census Needs Adjustment

The Census is going to be wrong, according to this column from The Washington Post. Statistical adjustments help get undercounts closer to reality, but many opponents prevent their use.

May 5, 2010 - The Washington Post

Carrion to Leave Urban Affairs Post

Adolfo Carrion, director of the White House Office of Urban Affairs, has announced plans to leave his position, trading it for a post in the Department of Housing and Urban Development.

May 4, 2010 - The New York Observer

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.

Home and Land Services Coordinator

Appalachian Highlands Housing Partners

Associate/Senior Planner

Gallatin County Department of Planning & Community Development

Senior Planner

Heyer Gruel & Associates PA

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.