Exclusives

View of aerial tram cars at Oakland Zoo with Oakland, California neighborhoods in background.

BLOG POST

Aerial Cable Cars as Urban Transport

While often thought of as only for tourists in mountain areas, aerial cable cars have proven to be effective in providing transportation in urban areas, such as across rivers in New York City and freeways in Portland.

December 8 - World Transport Policy and Practice

Elevated view of five windcatcher ventilation towers on rooftops in Yazd, Iran.

FEATURE

How Design Can Help Mitigate Extreme Heat

To prepare for hotter summers, designers and architects can build resilience into the urban environment.

December 6 - Sheba Ross

Close-up of old-fashioned blue double parking meter against red brick wall.

BLOG POST

Want Less Traffic and More Parking? Start Charging for It!

Cities often fail to effectively manage parking—and the public pays for it.

December 5 - Marcelo Remond

Red sign with white text opposing Minneapolist 2040 rezoning plan.

BLOG POST

Magical Thinking and NIMBYism

Comparing different types of NIMBYism and where they go wrong.

November 28 - Michael Lewyn

stack of books

FEATURE

Planetizen’s Top Planning Books of 2023

The world is changing, and planning with it.

November 24 - Planetizen Team


Row of brick three-story townhomes in Britih Columbia.

BLOG POST

More Affordable Housing for People, Less for Cars

Most jurisdictions have off-street parking requirements that increase motorists’ convenience but reduce housing affordability. It’s time to reform these policies for the sake of efficiency and fairness.

November 20 - Todd Litman

College students walking on green lawn with neoclassical red brick domed building in background on University of Illinois campus.

BLOG POST

Why College Campuses Make Ideal Models for Cities

College campuses serve as ideal models for cities, with their integrated infrastructure, vibrant communities, sustainability initiatives, and innovation hubs inspiring urban planning and development for a brighter future.

November 16 - Devin Partida


View of Gateway Arch and skyline of St. Louis, Missouri.

BLOG POST

How Public-Private Partnerships Shape Urban Development

Explore the significant role of public-private partnerships in shaping urban development and driving collaboration and innovation for sustainable city growth.

November 14 - Devin Partida

View of Brooklyn Bridge at night from Brooklyn alley with multi-story buildings and parked cars.

FEATURE

Can Brooklyn Change the Conversation on Comprehensive Planning in New York?

The Comprehensive Plan for Brooklyn is the largest comprehensive planning effort by land area in the U.S. since L.A. updated its plan in the 2000s, and the latest attempt to advance comprehensive planning in a city that has grown cynical about it.

November 14 - Mark H. McNulty

Trinity Railway Express train painted with Texas flag at station in Dallas, Texas.

FEATURE

Revitalizing Texas: Sustainable Rail Solutions

An argument for why investing in trains is the key to sustainable growth and economic success in the Lone Star State.

November 8 - Mustafa Haque

Old cemetery with weathered wooden cross grave markers in Goldfield, Nevada with mountain in background and blue sky.

FEATURE

Contested Property: Haunted Houses and the Anxiety of Ownership in America

Sometimes home becomes a place of fear for the least supernatural reasons.

October 31 - Diana Ionescu

Photo of Goat Blocks development, Portland, Oregon with five-story brick building and wide concrete staircase.

FEATURE

Goat Blocks: A Blueprint for Urban Placemaking and Walkability

How one development harnesses placemaking tactics to build community at the street level.

October 26 - Jason Roberts

People, cars, bikes and buses traveling through a busy intersection on 5th Avenue and 23rd Street in New York City with shining sunlight background.

BLOG POST

When it Comes to Vehicle Travel, Less is More

Motor vehicle travel provides many benefits, but also imposes large costs on users and communities. With better planning people can drive less, rely more on non-auto modes, enjoy more access, and be better off overall as a result.

October 25 - Todd Litman

Close-up of microphone on speaker's dais with blurred crowd sitting in bright high school gym in background.

BLOG POST

The Problem With Tone Policing

One common criticism of pro-housing advocacy is that supporters of new housing are (in the words of one commentator) “arrogant.” But there is no reason to believe that this is any less true of their opponents.

October 24 - Michael Lewyn

Black and white digital illustration of Newark, New Jersey town square with old clock.

BLOG POST

Jersey City and Newark: A Tale of Renaissance and Stagnation

The rise and fall (and rise again) of two great American cities teach us lessons about racism, economic opportunity, and more.

October 19 - Marcelo Remond

Bird's eye view of city skyscrapers at twilight with blurred lights on streets.

BLOG POST

Building Bridges to the Future: Preparing the Next Generation of Planners

Discover the importance of preparing the next generation of urban planners to build a sustainable and thriving future.

October 17 - Devin Partida

View of pedestrian plaza in Swiss village with Alps in background.

FEATURE

Opinion: The Arrogance of Social Media Urbanists

Criticism of ‘bad’ urban design and development policies leveled at ‘planners’ often obscures the complex nature of urban politics and land use regulations.

October 17 - Christopher Holtkamp

Green wall with floor or apartment numbers missing number 13, goes from 12 to 12 1/3 to 14 instead.

FEATURE

The Mystique of the 13th Floor: Superstitions, Sustainability, and the Future of Electrical Building Design

How engineers adapt a common superstition to maximize the utility of a stigmatized space.

October 13 - Johnathan Meade

Family posing on stoop of white ADU.

FEATURE

Creating Affordable Housing is a Priority for ADU Owners

How accessory dwelling units can benefit homeowners and renters alike.

October 12 - Jessica Brown

The Interstate 10 freeway cuts through residential neighborhoods in the city of Alhambra. Downtown Los Angeles is visible in the background,

BLOG POST

‘Luxury Beliefs’ and Urban Planning

Conservative pundits are using the term “luxury beliefs” as a means of criticizing progressives. But can the concept be applied to urban planning? And can it be applied in a nonpartisan way?

October 11 - Michael Lewyn

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.

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.

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