Exclusives
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Technologies for Understanding Cities
Researchers are examining technologies that can aid in understanding many aspects of our cities, from how citizens interact in plan making, where residents use social media, and how to understand our changing communities.
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So the Chief Doc Says 'Take a Walk'
Though the role for planners in making it easier to walk was clear even before the U.S. Surgeon General urged communities to design and plan for walking, more information is needed to understand why and where people choose to travel on foot.
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Why Do People Hate Cyclists?
At the Association of Collegiate Schools of Planning conference, several researchers shared their work examining why people hate bicyclists and what can be done about that animosity.
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Supply, Demand, and Housing Prices, Part 2
Rebutting arguments against the law of supply and demand.
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Research Offers Lessons on Bicycle Planning
This past week at the Association of Collegiate Schools of Planning conference, planning academics shared their research on planning for bicycles including bike sharing, bicycle education, and the use of cargo bicycles.
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Complete Streets Concepts Are Now Being Applied Worldwide
Dehli announced a major new Complete Streets program that will redesign urban roads to favor walking, cycling and public transport over car traffic. This is very good news. It shows that the Complete Streets concept is now being applied worldwide.,
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Making the Case for Planning
Planetizen Managing Editor James Brasuell recently gave the Pitkin Lecture at the Pennsylvania state chapter of the American Planning Association's annual conference. An adapted and excerpted version of that lecture follows.
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What Makes a Great Public Space?
The question is often asked and answered by urban planners and placemakers. The perspective offered here boils the essential qualities down to centrality, connectivity, and cachet, with a strong dose of urban "commoning."
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Good Congestion and Bad
The phrase "traffic congestion" can be misleading; some reductions in traffic speed are less harmful than others.
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Tips for Planners to Design Memorable Tourism Experiences
Tourists' expectations when they travel are becoming increasingly sophisticated, seeking stimulating and meaningful experiences. The new book Gamification in Tourism shares how cities are designing memorable experiences.
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Responding to Bike Improvement Skeptics
Communities can receive high economic returns from appropriate bicycle facility invesments. It is important that advocates have solid arguments for responding to skeptics.
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Planners Across America: Philadelphia on the Rebound
Garry Jastrzab, executive director of the Philadelphia Planning Commission, explains how a new comprehensive plan and a focus on the public realm guide the city as it searches for a balance between the old with the new.
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The Water Wars Are Here, Sort of
Ambiguity in a mid-century water compact has Texas and New Mexico before the Supreme Court.
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Substance, Style, and the Success of the 606
The Bloomingdale Trail, the star attraction of the 606 in Chicago, has been compared to NYC's High Line. But with its restrained design and focus on high-use activity, it is nothing like it, and, in certain ways, it's even better.
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Economic Benefit of Increasing Neighborhood Walkability: Is it a Myth?
Researchers from Texas A&M blog about their study of the economic benefits of walkability in neighborhoods in Austin, Texas.
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A Counterpoint in the Great Uber Dialogue
An op-ed counters concerns about the social equity consequences of Uber by allowing the possibility of public benefits arising from transportation network companies.
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The Economics of Rent Control
A simple explanation of why strict rent control reduces housing supply, and why moderate rent control does so to a much lesser extent.
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Crises and Innovation Converge on San Francisco Planning Director John Rahaim's Watch
The latest installment of the Planners Across America series interviews John Rahaim, planning director for the City and County of San Francisco, about the heightened passions and perpetual controversies of planning in the City by the Bay.
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Travel Demands Are A-Changin', and That's Good News
According to "The End of Traffic & the Future of Transport," demographic, economic and technological trends are changing travel demands. In the future, people will prefer to drive less and rely more on alternatives. Not everybody has got the message.
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Different Spokes for Different Folks
Bike sharing and rental systems are becoming more inclusive, considering the needs of those with disabilities and children. And systems are expanding based different uses people have for different types of bicycles.
City of Camden Redevelopment Agency
City of Astoria
Transportation Research & Education Center (TREC) at Portland State University
Regional Transportation Commission of Southern Nevada
Toledo-Lucas County Plan Commissions
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.
