History / Preservation

True Historic Buildings At Risk, As Faux Historic Buildings Spring Up

Even as the City of Buffalo is spending millions to build new historically appropriate buildings on the waterfront, true historic buildings are allowed to be destroyed mere blocks away, says Donn Esmonde.

September 5, 2010 - The Buffalo News

The Empire State Building's New Neighbor

A controversial new skyscraper seen as a challenge to the historical skyline dominance of the Empire State Building has been approved in New York City.

August 30, 2010 - The Architect's Newspaper

Potential Neighbor Threatens Empire State Building's Dominance

A proposed tower that would be just blocks from the Empire State Building in New York City has some historians and property owners on the defensive.

August 27, 2010 - The New York Times

A New Ethic for Urban Reinvention

In a unique collaboration, an American lawyer and a Venezuelan architect merge thinking on holistic design, planning and regulation

August 23, 2010 - myurbanist

Historic Kansas City Plaza Threatened by Development

A recipient of AICP National Planning Landmark Award, Country Club Plaza is part of Kansas City's historic shopping district. A developer is proposing to replace two historic buildings on the Plaza with contemporary designs.

August 23, 2010 - The Kansas City Star

Don't Worship Jane Jacobs: Think Like Her

Bill Barnes of the National League of Cities argues that we don't need acolytes of Jane Jacobs; we need people who will think as hard and as well as she did about "the kind of problem a city is."

August 23, 2010 - Nation's Cities Weekly

How The Golden Gate Bridge Got Into Transit

Unlike the nearby Bay Bridge that was built to accommodate the Key System streetcars, the Golden Gate displaced existing ferry service. Carl Nolte, the Chronicle's historian, provides the background for the 40th anniversary of its ferry service.

August 22, 2010 - San Francisco Chronicle

Opening the Shutters on Chandigarh's Monuments

Chandigarh, the modernist city designed by Le Corbusier in India, is becoming increasingly popular among scholars, critics and a rising residential population. But some of the best parts of the city are closed to the public.

August 20, 2010 - Change Observer

Seeking Private Sponsors for Colosseum Renovation

The city of Rome is looking for a private sponsor to buy advertising rights on its historic Colosseum. The $33 million contract would pay for renovation on the site.

August 20, 2010 - Bloomberg

The Fastest Place on Earth

The Bonneville Salt Flats in Western Utah are where drivers and engineers attempt to break the land speed record -- an activity that has transformed this otherwise unused space into one of the more important sites of modern human history.

August 20, 2010 - Places

Transitioning A Waterfront Away From the Fishing Industry

The fishing industry has been in decline for years in Portland, Maine, which is hurting many of the industry-related businesses on the city's waterfront. Local business people see salvation in diversity.

August 19, 2010 - The New York Times

Redevelopment Threatening Canada's "Pyramids on the Prairies"?

Recent developments in Winnipeg's historic warehouse district are coming under scrutiny after the district was places on an "Endangered Places" list.

August 13, 2010 - Winnipeg Free Press

Chinese Developers Plan to Recreate Salvador Dali's Hometown

Developers in China have announced plans to build a recreation of the hometown of Spanish surrealist painter Salvador Dali.

August 13, 2010 - The Guardian

History and Heritage Threatened by Chinese Overdevelopment

Chinese cities are destroying their architectural heritage as they rush to urbanize, according to Shan Jixiang, head of the State Administration of Cultural Heritage.

August 10, 2010 - China Daily

The Past and Future of Urban Agriculture

Urban agriculture is not a new idea. Grist's Tom Philpott says the renewed interest in the idea should look for good ideas from its past.

August 10, 2010 - Grist

Preserving Rurality

Rural areas across America are trying to figure out how they can improve their economies but still maintain their rural qualities.

August 10, 2010 - Citiwire

Garden of Eden Site Being Restored

A marsh in Iraq drained by Saddam Hussein and believed by some to be the site of the Garden of Eden is being restored -- despite dangerous risks.

August 3, 2010 - Der Spiegel

'Next Exit for Transportation's Future' is Generally Banal

The latest planning exhibition at the Center for Architecture has a "certain 1970s openness, a live-and-let-live philosophy, a crunchy impression enhanced by the bicycles hanging in the Center’s double-height display window," says Alexandra Lange.

July 30, 2010 - The Architect's Newspaper

China's Cities: All Show, No Substance?

Chinese urban sprawl has the potential to be transformed into urban sustainability.

July 29, 2010 - TheCityFix

Unrealized Berlin

A new exhibit in Germany looks at a variety of unrealized and unbuilt plans for Berlin created by 100 different architects and planners.

July 26, 2010 - Der Spiegel

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.