Exclusives

Drone

BLOG POST

Unmanned Aircraft Systems—Coming to Your Planning Department Soon

Transformative technologies like unmanned aircraft systems (drones) are identifying and creating new applications in planning every day, for both research and practical applications.

March 10 - Jennifer Evans-Cowley

Driving

BLOG POST

So Much for Peak VMT

Many observers and planners had hoped 2007 was the peak of vehicle miles travelled in the United States. After record-breaking increases in driving and auto sales, what are we to make of the present and future of driving in the United States?

March 8 - Steven Polzin

Glenmont Metrocentre

FEATURE

How One Developer Is Delivering Urban Infill

Doug Bauer, CEO of one of the nation's largest homebuilders, describes the political and design decisions that contributed to the success of urban infill projects in four unique case studies.

March 8 - Doug Bauer

Roman Forum

BLOG POST

When Conversations Turn Ugly: How to Understand Online Dialogue

Imagine that public meeting that explodes in heated argument. You've likely seen the same thing online. Learn about tools for analyzing online public engagement.

March 7 - Jennifer Evans-Cowley

Seaside Entrance

BLOG POST

The Same Old Misconceptions

Misconceptions about New Urbanism persist.

March 7 - Michael Lewyn


Columbus

FEATURE

Columbus Bucks Trends, Grows Steadily

The latest installment of the "Planners Across America" series visits Columbus, Ohio, for a conversation with Planning Administrator Kevin Wheeler.

March 3 - Josh Stephens

Paris Street; Rainy Day, Gustave Caillebotte, 1877

BLOG POST

Umberto Eco, Planning Education, and Urban Space

The great Italian scholar and novelist's death likely has little meaning for practicing planners, but his literary method might have lasting relevance for planning education and the design of urban space.

February 29 - Dean Saitta


Empty Retail

BLOG POST

The Changing Nature of Retail: The Impact of Online Shopping on Cities

As consumers increasingly buy online, technology is changing the shape of our cities, reducing demand for retail space, increasing freight congestion, and leaving parking lots empty.

February 29 - Jennifer Evans-Cowley

Jackson Park

BLOG POST

The Colliding Legacies of Olmsted and Obama

Architects will soon be hired to design Obama's presidential library in Chicago. It may turn out to be a beautiful building, but will it be worth all that is lost in the process?

February 26 - Mark Hough

Cul-de-Sac

BLOG POST

Retrofitting the Cul-de-Sac

A recent book on retrofitting sprawl contains numerous proposals to revise cul-de-sacs—all of which are interesting, even if politically infeasible.

February 25 - Michael Lewyn

Pop Up Protected Bike Lanes

BLOG POST

DIY Urbanism and Top-Down Planning

Though projects tend to be hyper-local and temporary, Do It Yourself, Tactical, or Guerrilla Urbanism is an endorsement of the top-down planning model, rather than a repudiation.

February 24 - Reuben Duarte

City Kids

BLOG POST

It's Our Future You Are Planning For: Getting Youth Involved in Planning

This blog post highlights resources available to help engage children and young adults in participatory planning processes.

February 24 - Jennifer Evans-Cowley

Accessibility

BLOG POST

Tip of the Iceberg: Seeking Real Accessibility in Community Engagement

Do modern accessibility regulations go far enough to ensure fair access to all community members for public engagement activities? How can we design our planning processes to reach the broadest demographic?

February 23 - Dave Biggs

Alamo Square

FEATURE

Op-Ed: Let's Build Homes, Not Ideology

Knee-jerk, ideological reactions to the California housing crisis rest on faulty arguments and threaten to cheat the state out of workable solutions.

February 18 - Eric Panzer

Supreme Court

BLOG POST

Justice Scalia and the Takings Clause

Summarizes Justice Scalia's most important Takings Clause decisions.

February 18 - Michael Lewyn

Presidio San Francisco

BLOG POST

Problems With Economic Impact Analysis: Examples From Base Communities

Guest blogger Joshua Drucker discusses his new research critiquing current practices in economic impact analysis.

February 17 - JPER

Boston Seaport

FEATURE

GE and Industry's Return to the City

GE recently made the blockbuster decision to move its corporate headquarters to Boston. More than just another example of a company returning to an urban area, the move shows how a city like Boston benefits the kind of company GE wants to become.

February 16 - Rod Stevens

Pickerington, Ohio

BLOG POST

Retail Parking: A View from Google Earth

Google Earth can be a useful tool for understanding how parking is being used in your community and to identify where over- or under-utilization occurs.

February 16 - Jennifer Evans-Cowley

Ciclavia

BLOG POST

The Bicycle as a Tool of Social Justice

Philosopher Ivan Illich believed that the bicycle could connect users back to the pace of community-oriented life, that the right of free movement does not lapse just because cities have strapped themselves into ideological seat belts.

February 11 - Steven Snell

Transit Oriented Development

BLOG POST

Smart Growth Policies for Urban Affordability and Fertility

The new International Housing Affordability Survey contains various errors and biases. The author even claims that compact housing reduces fertility. Really? Smart policies can create affordable and family-friendly housing.

February 10 - Todd Litman

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.

Write for Planetizen