History / Preservation
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."
On the Perpetual Crisis of American Cities
A long and ranging article in the New Yorker surveys non-fiction, art, and other manifestations of intellectualism for insight into the plight of the city—to always be cast in some manner of morality tale.
Dallas Delays Controversial Downtown Demolitions
In what is described as a "Penn Station moment," Dallas has approved a demolition delay ordinance for historic buildings downtown. This is an uncharacteristic victory for preservation.
The Charms of 'Illegal Neighborhoods'
A longtime resident of an old, eclectic neighborhood reflects on what makes the area so desirable and why new places like it are effectively outlawed today.
Friday Eye Candy: Explore Manhattan in 1609
A new online interactive project allows new access to the history of Manhattan before Dutch settlers began taking residence on the island in 1609
Once in the Great City of Detroit
A new book by Washington Post associate editor David Maraniss examines the glory years of Detroit.
Thoughts on Seaside at 35
Seaside, Florida: what’s possible when vision, tradition, creativity, adaptation, and, yes, time converge in ways that allow for careful study and consideration.
Small Clubs Make Creative Hubs: the Importance of Live Music Venues
Cities like London are losing their creative edge because the small music venues that foster it are being pushed out.
Reinventing a Storied Thoroughfare in Mexico City
A team of designers will convert one Mexico City's most dangerous highways into an urban oasis.
Embracing the Bicyclist as One of Us
In his new book, James Longhurst asks: "Why are most American cities still so ill-prepared to handle cyclists?"
10 of the Best Adaptive Reuse Projects
A list of adaptive reuse projects completed in the last five years includes a diverse collection of breweries turned hotels, a dry dock turned into a museum, and much more.
The Lost History of D.C.'s Murals
Washington City Paper creates a record of the many murals that have been lost to new construction and shifting demographics in neighborhoods around Washington, D.C.
What If Seattle Had a Century-Old Subway?
Virgil Bogue's 1911 Plan of Seattle called for a centrally-planned metropolis with efficient transit, parks, and a cap on building height. It was voted down, but remains an interesting study on planning for the long term.
Stays in Vegas: Six Neighborhoods Considered for National Register of Historic Places
A city famous for reinventing by any means necessary is looking to preserve some of its history.
Restoring the First Cross Country Interstate in the Southern States*
Partly absorbed by 1-10 and party given over the ravages of time—the Old Spanish Trail was the first to highway to connect the East Coast to the West Coast through the southern states.
Google Celebrates the Birth of the Traffic Light
If you opened Google to do a search on Wednesday, you'd see an image (the "doodle") of a traffic light and six Model-T era cars spelling out the company's name. It was honoring the 101-year anniversary of the birth of the electric traffic light.
The Failure of Preservation
Attempts to limit new construction to preserve neighborhood character are an example of "beggar thy neighbor" politics.
400 Years of Single-Family Homes in America
A data visualization project illustrates the long and varied traditions of American single-family housing.
Harnessing Social Resilience in the Rust Belt
Paterson, New Jersey's diverse immigrant population holds the potential to revive the city's declining economy. Writer Jeff Byles documents key resources the city has and how similar postindustrial cities have harnessed community-driven planning.
The Origins of Speed Limits
Motor vehicle crashes claim over 30,000 lives per year, with related costs in the hundreds of billions. While we sometimes view that frightening statistic as inevitable, there are reasons to reexamine speed limits and how we set them.
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.
Heyer Gruel & Associates PA
JM Goldson LLC
Custer County Colorado
City of Camden Redevelopment Agency
City of Astoria
Transportation Research & Education Center (TREC) at Portland State University
Jefferson Parish Government
Camden Redevelopment Agency
City of Claremont
