History / Preservation

Teardowns: Costs, Benefits, and Public Policy

The teardown phenomenon has attracted much public attention. Daniel P. McMillen examines the case of the historic Chicago suburb of Kenilworth to determine the costs, benefits and public policy surrounding teardowns.

July 30, 2006 - Lincoln Institute of Land Policy, Land Lines

Chain Restaurants Change Philadelphia'sCharacter

National restaurant chains moving into Philadelphia’s Center City are changing the character and landscape of the historic area.

July 26, 2006 - The Philadelphia Inquirer

The Slow Disintegration Of Algiers' Old Town

The Algiers Casbah, a UNESCO World Heritage Site, is collapsing with little political will to save it.

July 26, 2006 - The New York Times

Front Porches Regaining Popularity

The number of new homes with porches increased has nationwide over the past 10 years.

July 26, 2006 - The Daily News

Students Discover Their History Buried in Illinois Town

Life in a community of freed slaves is mapped and documented by young descendents.

July 19, 2006 - The Chicago Tribune

Is Duplicating New Orleans' French Quarter A Good Idea?

While some believe imitation to be the ultimate form of flattery, others describe it as a foolish attempt to replicate the past.

July 19, 2006 - The New York Times

How Plumbing Saved Civilization

Civilization owes its survival to the humble plumber writes W. Hodding Carter.

July 19, 2006 - The Los Angeles Times

Unique Open Space Sales Tax Measure Attempts To Be Renewed

A quarter cent sales tax measure, which has raised $200 million since 1990 and preserved 70,000 acres of open space, may be put before the voters of Santa Rosa, CA, in November for early re-authorization.

July 18, 2006 - The Press Democrat -- Santa Rosa ,CA

The Charm Of Brick Streets

Chicago area communities restore brick streets for aesthetics and traffic-calming.

July 18, 2006 - The Chicago Tribune

Rome's Speleologists

Marco Placidi is one of a growing number of 'Speleologists' in Rome -- where some of the world's most important history lies undiscovered beneath the modern city, in sewers, long-lost passages, and murky ponds.

July 14, 2006 - National Geographic

As Beijing Modernizes, Historic Neighborhoods Are Under Seige

Visitors to Beijing during 2008 Olympic Games may never have a chance to explore some of the city's historic neighborhoods.

July 14, 2006 - The New York Times

One Of The Last Company Towns In America Is For Sale

Residents of Scotia, CA, hope that their community can retain its unique after the sale.

July 7, 2006 - The New York Times

Atlanta Development Threatens Modernist Buildings

With a history of bulldozing older buildings to accommodate the new, it is not surprising that many modernist structures are threatened by Atlanta's growth. The question remains, are these buildings people want to save?

July 5, 2006 - The Atlanta Journal-Constitution

The Resurgence Of Maine's Grittiest City

The twin cities of Lewiston and Auburn have long been known as Maine's worst urban area. Today, it is using art, history, diversity, and culture to carve out its niche as one of the state's funkiest and most historical urban areas.

June 26, 2006 - The Boston Globe

Developing The Un-Park In San Francisco's Presidio

A stream of high-dollar developments have been popping up in San Francisco's Presidio, a former Army base and currently the only park in the National Park Service's collection that is operated privately. Some feel the developments don't fit the site.

June 23, 2006 - The San Francisco Chronicle

Ancient Arizona Sites Ruined By Sprawl And ATVs

The best volunteer efforts of the Arizona Site Steward Program cannot prevent looting and other damage to the state's archeological heritage.

June 23, 2006 - Tucson Weekly

Bush To Establish Largest Protected Ocean Area

President George Bush plans to establish the world's largest protected ocean site, an act which will preserve a sensitive coral reef ecosystem on islands and atolls near Hawaii.

June 18, 2006 - Herald Sun

Saving Quebec's Churches

Once a deeply religious province of Canada, Quebec has seen such a steep decline in church attendance that it now faces the dilemma of what to do with some 4,000 places of worship -- some of which are being converted to condos.

June 16, 2006 - The Globe and Mail

Native Americans Oppose Development Catering To Annual Biker Rally

The foundation of a huge commercial development geared toward the massive crowds of an annual motorcycle rally has been laid on South Dakota prairie land directly adjacent to a state park and a mountaintop sacred to Native American tribes.

June 15, 2006 - Minneapolis Star-Tribune

Mayor's Plan To Keep Paris From Shrinking

Concerned by shrinking population and jobs, Paris' mayor outlines his plan for infrastructure investments and affordable housing creation.

June 14, 2006 - The Guardian

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.

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.