Architecture

Habitat for Humanity Embraces Density

Instead of building its signature single family homes in dense New York neighborhoods, Habitat is expanding its model to include LEED-certified apartment buildings.

February 4, 2010 - New York Times

Through the Eyes of the Elderly

This article recalls the story of Patricia Moore, who dressed up as an 80-year-old woman to better understand how the elderly interact with products and the built environment.

February 3, 2010 - California College of the Arts

High Speed Rail Needs High Class Stations

Chicago Tribune architecture critic Blair Kamin argues that America's foray into high speed rail should also focus on the rail stations and user experience in addition to the speed.

February 2, 2010 - Chicago Tribune

Government Plans Vertical Garden on Portland Skyscraper

As part of a $133 million renovation of a federal building in Portland, the Government Services Administration plans to add 200-foot high "vegetated fins" that will carpet the building with plants and - hopefully - energy savings.

February 1, 2010 - New York Times

A Close-Up Look at Masdar's Eco-Village

The Masdar Institute of Science and Technology is the first building to be completed in this ambitious, carbon-neutral city in Abu Dhabi. Thomas Lane of Building takes a tour.

February 1, 2010 - Building

An Experiment of Luxury and Urban Utility

A new luxury hotel with subway access on the ground floor has opened in L.A., creating what Los Angeles Times architecture critic Christopher Hawthorne sees as a bizarre mix of vanity and transit.

February 1, 2010 - Los Angeles Times

Building the Skyline and the Street in OK City

Despite the economic downturn, a new skyscraper is rising in Oklahoma City. A suite of street improvements are also one their way.

February 1, 2010 - The New York Times

Improving Safety Through Architecture and Public Works in Colombia

This piece from Utne Reader looks at the role of architecture in the public works projects of Medellin, Colombia, a city that has struggled with severe crime.

January 30, 2010 - Utne Reader

Bringing Context to Architectural Photography

This piece from The New York Times profiles architectural photographer Iwan Baan, whose style differs from the status quo to emphasize the urban and social context of the buildings he's photographing.

January 29, 2010 - The New York Times

The Holodeck is Real

Duke's Pratt School of Engineering has created a theater with projections on all four walls plus the ceiling and floor to create an immersive experience not unlike Star Trek's "holodeck" for architects to show clients their work before it is built.

January 28, 2010 - News Observer

Can't Get Architecture Work? Build It Yourself

John Portman is a rare breed: an architect/developer. In his 60 years in the business, he developed retail centers, hotel atriums, and Atlanta's Peachtree Center. The Architect's Newspaper talked to him about his career.

January 28, 2010 - The Architect's Newspaper

Recovery Through the Open Source Design Movement

With the devastation in Haiti fresh in mind, Good's Alissa Walker takes a look at the growing practice of sharing design ideas.

January 28, 2010 - Good

How the iPad Affects the Built Environment

The increasing ubiquity of screens in our daily lives and architecture changes the way we experience the built environment, argues Christopher Hawthorne.

January 27, 2010 - Los Angeles Times

The 250-Foot Vertical Garden

Designers in Portland, Oregon are preparing to unveil a vertical garden on a federal building that would climb 250 feet up the side of the building.

January 27, 2010 - MSNBC

Shanghai: A Modern-Day 1930s New York

With a rapidly growing urban core and a slew of skyscrapers, Shanghai today is what New York was to the world in the 1930s, according to this piece.

January 27, 2010 - The Wall Street Journal

Group of Builders and Designers Brainstorm Haiti's Future

Every day since the earthquake that shattered Haiti earlier this month, a group of 50 planners, architects and developers have met to brainstorm and strategize the rebuilding of their country.

January 27, 2010 - Los Angeles Times

Skywalks Sprout in Mumbai

The streets of Mumbai are packed with pedestrians. With few sidewalks and little room for the growing masses of walkers, city officials are looking to beat the pedestrian congestion by building overhead "skywalks" to bring people above the street.

January 26, 2010 - The Wall Street Journal

Elite Core of Architects Should Make Planning Decisions

Amanda Levete argues that the planning process in the U.K. should be taken out of the hands of government and public process and handed to a panel of qualified architects.

January 25, 2010 - Building

New Urbanism in Abu Dhabi

While Dubai's fantastical Burj Khalifa is mostly empty and development has ground to a halt, Abu Dhabi continues to develop - and smartly, says Philip Langdon.

January 21, 2010 - New Urban News

On Top of the World: Looking Down from Dubai's Burj Khalifa

The world's tallest building is now open in Dubai. Christopher Corbett takes you up to the 124th floor.

January 21, 2010 - Christopher Corbett

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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.