Europe

City of Lighting

The urban lighting artist responsible for illuminating hundreds of Parisian landmarks tackles one last challenge before retiring: the Notre Dame Cathedral.

December 14, 2007 - The Globe & Mail

Spanish Government To Green Houses

Officials in Spain have announced billion-dollars plans to help homeowners retrofit and renovate houses to be more energy efficient.

December 13, 2007 - Reuters

The Marseille Model

As racial tensions erupt across France, the diverse city of Marseille has remained calm. Many look to it as a model for the future of an increasingly ethnically-mixed France and Europe.

December 12, 2007 - Smithsonian Magazine

Selling The Garden City That Isn't A Garden City

This article from the Warsaw Business Journal looks at how the concept of the Garden City is gladly embraced by developers to market their housing projects, but rarely are its design characteristics included in the actual development.

December 10, 2007 - Warsaw Business Journal

Tapping The Power Of The Desert Sun

The European Union and the desert countries of Northern Africa may form a collaborative effort to harvest solar energy in the desert areas. The solar power effort could power about one-sixth of Europe if it goes through.

December 6, 2007 - The Guardian

Friday Funny: It's All About Horsepower

Fuel costs, environmental concerns, and striking transport workers are reviving interest in horse-driven vehicles in some French towns.

November 30, 2007 - Reuters

Architecture's Role In Berlin's Revival

Big-name and big-idea architecture is leading the revival of Berlin into one of the world's cultural capitals.

November 27, 2007 - The Times (New Zealand)

Europe Takes A More Discerning Look At Wind Energy

Wind energy has matured in Europe and US to the point where it can be compared to other competing energy sources. While still encouraging its use, governments are now considering the disadvantages associated with this carbon-free energy source.

November 26, 2007 - The New York Times

New York And Berlin In Parallel

The development patterns of New York and Berlin have some striking similarities, according to a new exhibition looking at the circumstances influencing each of the cities.

November 20, 2007 - The New York Times

The World Beneath Paris

An extensive tunnel system exists beneath the city of Paris, playing a major infrastructural role, but also serving as an interesting tourist attraction and look at the underbelly of the historic city.

November 18, 2007 - Smithsonian Magazine

High-Rise Proposals Spur Outrage In Paris

Officials in Paris plan to unveil sketches of high-rise developments proposed for the outer rings of the city -- a development type nearly two-thirds of Parisians oppose. Many argue that the aesthetic focus shortchanges social concerns in the city.

November 13, 2007 - The Guardian

Pedestrians Fight For Rights In Greece

Cars and scooters rules the roads -- and often the sidewalks -- in Greece, making things difficult for the country's pedestrians. A new activist movement is looking to bring illegal parking and pedestrian-right-of-way violations to light.

November 9, 2007 - International Herald Tribune

Space Race Is Over, But Russian Launching Pad Still Booms

The Russian space program's launching pad is located in the remote Central Asian city of Baikonur, and as space tourism gains popularity, the city's economy is thriving.

October 24, 2007 - Associated Press via Physorg.com

Can 'Moses' Part the Adriatic Sea?

Venetians are divided on the megaproject dubbed "Moses" which is intended to protect the city from rising sea-levels while leaving the city open for shipping.

October 22, 2007 - The Globe & Mail

Anger Grows At Acropolis Museum Demolitions

Greek and international protest grows over proposed demolition of historic buildings between Tschumi's Acropolis Museum and the Acropolis hill.

October 22, 2007 - INTBAU News

Looking At The Bilbao Effect

The concept of using cultural facilities to spur economic development was pioneering by this Spanish rust belt city 10 years ago. Today, many cities want to follow in its footsteps.

October 21, 2007 - The Art Newspaper

Europe's Sustainable City Planning Trends

Emerging trends in five European cities suggest what could be ahead for the U.S. development environment, observes author Michael Mehaffy.

October 19, 2007 - Urban Land

Berlin Seeks UNESCO Status For 1920s Social Housing

Six social housing projects built in 1920s Berlin by such architects as Walter Gropius and Bruno Taut are being considered for preservation as UNESCO sites.

October 19, 2007 - Der Spiegel

Kids In The Hall

In an attempt to discourage urban youth from hanging out in the foyers of apartment buildings, French authorities in Le Havre built them their own faux foyer -- with mixed results.

October 18, 2007 - The Globe & Mail

European Cities Move On Climate Change

Cities in Europe are not letting the lack of an international compact on climate change stop them from taking efforts to reduce their impact on the planet.

October 16, 2007 - ABC

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.

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.