History / Preservation

Historic, Green, Affordable, and at (Some) Scale?

Iberville Offsites received the 2014 National Trust/HUD Secretary’s Award for Excellence in Historic Preservation for restoration of homes as low-income affordable housing

November 25, 2014 - Shelterforce/Rooflines

Nation's Most Expensive Bridge Crossing Turns 50

Perhaps known more for high tolls than beauty, the Verrazano Narrows bridge turned 50 on November 21. Staten Islanders expected the high tolls to end when the bridge was paid for.

November 24, 2014 - The New York Times N.Y. / Region

Using Social Media to Celebrate Historic Buildings

For almost as long as social media platforms like Twitter and Instagram have been in existence, users have had a morbid fascination with examples of derelict and destroyed architecture. Social media, however, can be more celebratory of the past.

November 20, 2014 - The New Yorker

How D.C.'s Historic Buildings—Some in Danger—Enrich its Neighborhoods

Historic buildings add character to neighborhoods. When torn down, pieces of history are also stripped from the city; when restored, they can act as catalysts for revitalization.

November 19, 2014 - Elevation DC

Urban Churches Adapt to a Changing City

In Washington, D.C., residents, shops and restaurants come and go, often moving from neighborhood to neighborhood. But churches remain. They anchor the community as it changes, and often find themselves changing with it.

November 18, 2014 - Elevation DC

The Human Dimension of the Physical City

In his latest two contributions from the south of France, Chuck Wolfe reminds urbanists of the backdrop of the human dimension of affinity, conversation and daily rituals that stand behind the physical, human scale.

November 18, 2014 - The Huffington Post

Glasgow

The Undeniable Urbanism of the 'Plot'

According to researchers and practitioners in the United Kingdom, there's still room for another urbanism. Chuck Wolfe digests the recent Summit on Plot-Based Urbanism from Glasgow.

November 14, 2014 - myurbanist

Report Recommends Trains for the Postal Service

The Post Office once used trains but no more, unlike the United Parcel Service (UPS). A new reports recommends that the Post Office return to their past, though not necessarily sorting the mail on the train like you might see in a rail museum.

November 11, 2014 - Linns.com

Appreciating Postmodernism to Preserve Postmodernism

Postmodernism lacks the popularity of other eras of architectural design and is too young to be appreciated for history's sake. Can preservationists learn to love underappreciated gems of Postmodernism before it's too late?

November 10, 2014 - Metropolis

Portland's Unique Tours Offer Insight Into Neighborhood History and Culture

A small non-profit in Portland, Oregon is attempting to provide neighborhood-based historic and cultural information for residents and tourists in specific, unique ways.

November 7, 2014 - Urbanful

Denver Union Station

Is America's Civic Architecture Inherently Racist?

It's a provocative and rage-inducing question, but a potentially useful one for promoting discussion about the cross-cultural meaning of public space.

November 3, 2014 - Dean Saitta

Opportunities Found for Redesign of Philadelphia's Famed JFK Plaza/LOVE Park

As the redesign for LOVE Park begins, Ashley Hahn reminds us of the park's role in supporting and maintaining civic life in the city of brotherly love.

October 24, 2014 - PlanPhilly

Obituary: William J. Ronan, Founder of New York's MTA

One of the most important officials in New York State transportation history died Oct. 15: William J. Ronan, who took on Robert Moses to form the country's largest, most diversified transportation agency, the Metropolitan Transportation Authority.

October 21, 2014 - The New York Times

Ludlow Colorado

Remembering the 'White City'

Does a 100-year-old tent colony located on a 40-acre piece of remote, sunbaked and windswept prairie have anything to teach us about intercultural urban planning and design?

October 20, 2014 - Dean Saitta

Exploring the 'Finesse of the Avenue'

In his fourth "place-decoding" essay from France, Chuck Wolfe illustrates how a traditional placemaking intervention is especially powerful when underlying urban fundamentals align.

October 9, 2014 - Huffington Post

'Keeping it Modern' to Research Conservation Solutions

The quest to preserve the masterpieces of modern architecture can also provide a model for preserving lesser-known construction from the 20th century. An initiative of the Getty Conservation Institute would achieve both goals.

October 6, 2014 - Los Angeles Times

'History of the Present' Series Examines Profound Urban Transformations

Emerging from a half century of dictatorship, can Myanmar's principal city be a model of sustainable, democratic development?

October 6, 2014 - Places Journal

San Francisco Considers a 'Facadectomy'

One possible frame though which to consider the ongoing evolution of cities like San Francisco: the measures (sometimes) taken to preserve the historic fabric of the city.

October 3, 2014 - Socket Site

The Look and Feel of 'Inherently Urban'

Greek orators, current solution-based efforts, and 25 photographs remind us of the central role of human opportunity in the urban environment.

October 1, 2014 - The Huffington Post

Calatrava PATH New York

Why Design Matters in Transportation Infrastructure Design

New Jersey School of Architecture Director Darius Sollohub writes that transportation planners and engineers should consider what their infrastructure designs will say to today's users and future generations in an essay in InTransition magazine.

September 30, 2014 - InTransition Magazine

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.