Asia-Pacific

China, Japan, other South East Asian countries, Australia, New Zealand, and Pacific Islands countries.

Racing Towards Modernization, Vietnam's Past Is Threatened

Spurred by extraordinary economic and urban growth, Ho Chi Minh City is experiencing a building boom. But preservationists are worried about the danger to the city's priceless colonial era heritage.

March 15, 2007 - The Christian Science Monitor

Training Asia's Future Urban Planners And Leaders

The Asian Development Bank has partnered with the Singapore government on a new educational initiative to help improve conditions for poorer residents of the region's cities.

March 14, 2007 - People's Daily Online

Asian Pollution Travels To U.S. West Coast

Researcher say air pollution from Asia is changing Pacific weather patterns and ending up over West Coast cities.

March 11, 2007 - The Los Angeles Times

Far East of South Beach

Shanghai's market may have tanked, but its planners see an upside in Miami Beach. So do Mumbai's.

March 3, 2007 - The Slatin Report

Creating A Chinatown Without Chinese

With South Korea's historic apprehension towards China, efforts at resurrecting or creating new Chinatowns in Incheon and other cities have been so far been lacking one key ingredient -- Chinese residents.

March 2, 2007 - International Herald Tribune

Poor Planning Blamed For Indonesian Floods

Neglect, poor planning, and flawed city management are being blamed for the recent flooding in the Indonesian capital of Jakarta that has caused hundreds of thousands to evacuate.

February 5, 2007 - BBC

Safety vs. Affordability: The Transportation Tradeoff In Indonesia

Indonesia's private airplanes and trains are not subject to stringent regulation officials say. As a result, the government compromises safety.

January 26, 2007 - BBC World

Struggling U.S. Malls Mix It Up As Asia Booms

While they flourish in Asia, huge shopping malls are losing their popularity in the U.S. to big box retailers. One way developers are reacting is by recreating the formerly all-commercial shopping experience to include a mix of uses.

January 15, 2007 - MSNBC

Will Thick Smog Ruin The 2008 Olympics in Beijing?

Given a history of environment problems, some wonder if the 2008 Olympics in Beijing will showcase the world's worst pollution as well as world-class athletes? A marathon runner dies as the City's pollution index hits 149 (100 is unhealthy).

January 12, 2007 - Knowledge@Wharton

Seoul's River Restoration Becomes A Model For Many Cities

The restored Cheonggyecheon river, which once was reduced to a sewer capped by a six-lane highway, now serves as a focal point for urban recreation in the South Korean capital.

January 10, 2007 - Mail & Guardian Online

Taiwan Launches High-Speed Rail Service

After several long delays, Taiwan's new Shinkansen bullet train begins commercial service, linking the island's two major cities.

January 6, 2007 - Associated Press via Forbes

The Great Mall Of Asia

At over 4 million square feet, Manila's new mega-mall is part commercial palace and social square.

January 5, 2007 - PopMatters

A Sharp Population Decline Predicted For Japan

A new report has been released in Japan that projects a sharp drop in the country's population over the next 50 years. The report predicts that a declining birth rate will cause a decrease of more than 30% by 2055.

December 21, 2006 - BBC

Ho Chi Minh City's Vision For Growth

New urban development in the former Saigon reflects the city's booming economy and ambition, but some look at other fast-moving Asian cities and worry about the consequences of such rapid growth.

November 25, 2006 - International Herald Tribune

City of Angels, East: An Urban Tour Of Bangkok

An automobile tour through Bangkok explores the city that epitomizes urban decentralization in Asia.

November 21, 2006 - Urban Tours by Rental Car

Building Green In Japan As Home Sizes Increase

As its population declines and homes are taking up more space, home designers in Japan are looking to the self-sufficient designs of space stations to guide the development of environmentally sustainable homes.

November 21, 2006 - BBC

Rail Agreement Links Asia To Europe

An agreement has been reached between 18 countries to move forward on a long-sought plan to connect railways between Singapore and Turkey, creating a vast network expected to boost the economies of currently remote areas.

November 12, 2006 - Armenia Liberty

Tokyo Suburb Popular With Expatriates

The Tokyo suburb of Kakamura has shown great appeal to expatriates because of its availability of space and proximity to scenic natural resources -- attributes that sharply contrast the dense and bustling big city one hour away.

November 11, 2006 - International Herald Tribune

Bangkok Moves Ahead With Rail Transit Expansion

The five newly approved underground and elevated rail transit projects are aimed at easing the notoriously congested traffic of Thailand's capital.

November 8, 2006 - International Herald Tribune

New Towns Planned In South Korea

The South Korean government has announced plans to create at least one new town and to increase the size of older cities, hoping to decrease the population density and increase the housing supply.

October 24, 2006 - The Dong-A Ilbo

FREE Course: Walkable City 1: Why Walkability?

After describing his path towards focusing on walkability as the essence of good planning, Jeff Speck marches through his five principal reasons for making more walkable places.

Reinventing Malls: Planning Alchemy—Turning Gray Fields Into Gold

The course focuses on the opportunities and imperatives that shape reinvention of mall sites.

Community Development Director

City of Wisconsin Rapids

Professor of Urban Planning

Harvard University Graduate School of Design

Transportation Planner I

KFH Group Inc.

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.