History / Preservation

Reef and Surf Take Precedence Over Beach Erosion in Florida

A group of surfers has successfully blocked an environmentally-harmful beach dredging and repair project in Florida, at least temporarily. The project was meant to counteract beach erosion problems, but was protested over concerns about local reefs.

March 11, 2009 - The New York Times

Rebuilding Slow in South Ossetia

Half a year after the area erupted in violence, the South Ossetia region of Georgia is struggling to rebuild.

March 10, 2009 - International Herald Tribune

Protecting Habitats that Move

As climate change affects the habitats and migratory patterns of protected species, many are calling for protected areas to shift along with the animals they're intended to safeguard.

March 9, 2009 - The Christian Science Monitor

Taking a Closer Look at the Slum

Slums have garnered some positive attention lately, from academics (Teddy Cruz) to royalty (Prince Charles). This article looks at just what it is we can learn from them, as well as the challenges that face legitimizing the world's shantytowns.

March 5, 2009 - The Boston Globe

In Ancient City, Conservationists Can't Help Sprawl's Effects

Ninevah, one of the world's most endangered heritage sites, is deteriorating due to recent development and urban sprawl, say officials.

March 3, 2009 - The Christian Science Monitor

New Museum Turns Away From Starchitecture

Last year, plans for a new museum in San Francisco's Presidio were criticized for being harsh and not in keeping with the feel of the park. Back from the drawing board, John King says the new plans are much more in character and less iconic.

March 3, 2009 - San Francisco Chronicle

Brazil Looks to Land Titles to Protect Amazon

A new plan is taking form in Brazil to regularize titles to rainforest land -- an effort the government hopes will fight deforestation.

February 28, 2009 - The Economist

Preserving Brutalism

At Yale, a modernist landmark is preserved and revitalized. Ada Louise Huxtable looks at the challenges in updating the harshness of brutalist architecture.

February 27, 2009 - The Wall St. Journal

Preserving the American West

Over half of the land in the American West is publicly owned. Policy over the last century has tended towards allowing the extraction of natural resources, but it may be time for a shift into preservation.

February 21, 2009 - The Christian Science Monitor

Coney Island Concepts Debated

The Municipal Art Society wants Coney Island to be bigger and more attractive, but the developer says time-share hotels and big boxes are the key the landmark's financial sustainability.

February 19, 2009 - The New York Times

Achieving Burnham's Green Vision for Chicago

Recognizing that urban greenery is crucial city dwellers' health and well-being, experts in Chicago spent the 100th anniversary of Daniel Burnham's "Plan of Chicago" by discussing ways to attain its vision.

February 18, 2009 - Medill Reports

Seeking Access To An Underground Railroad's History

A man who has been leading tours of abandoned underground railroads in New York City is hoping to gain permission to break through a 19th century brick wall below the streets to find a perfectly preserved locomotive from the mid-1800s.

February 17, 2009 - The New York Times

New Urbanism Needs To Age To Become True Urbanism

In this episode of the KunstlerCast, James Howard Kunstler looks at New Urbanism, compares it to regular urbanism, and argues that criticized New Urbanist developments will get better with age.

February 13, 2009 - KunstlerCast

New Deal Legacies Endangered

Buildings and homes built as a product of the Works Progress Administration of the 1930s are being torn down at a rate that some find unsettling.

February 11, 2009 - International Herald Tribune

Glimpsing into New Orleans' First Master Plan

The master plan will replace an outdated, complex zoning law and address urban housing, wetlands preservation, and transit, among other things. New Orleans is finally "poised for sustained growth," according to the plan's lead consultant.

February 11, 2009 - The Times-Picayune

D.C. Thwarts Apple Store

The Old Georgetown Board, the design review board of Washington, D.C.'s historic district, has voted a third time to reject Apple's bid to tear down the current building and put up one of their iconic Apple Stores.

February 5, 2009 - National Trust For Historic Preservation

Town Chooses Between History and Housing

Some Chelmsofrd, MA residents think gutting their historic town halls--one vacant for 20 years--to bring in much-needed affordable housing units is a great idea. But some still find the idea of marring such architectural icons unacceptable.

February 4, 2009 - Lowell Sun Online

Friday Funny: Historic, or Just Plain Lewd?

Hoare Road, East Breast, and North Piddle are actual place names that get a chuckle out of most people. But when it comes to the more "aesthetically unsuitable" names, feelings are divided.

January 30, 2009 - The New York Times

Comeback for Little Rock's Little Rock

The rock after which Little Rock, AR is named will be excavated to cap off the revitalization of the city's riverfront. No one knows how much of the rock, estimated to be 300 million years old, is left, which raises the question: Is it worth it?

January 29, 2009 - The Wall Street Journal

A Historic District, In Name

This piece from Preservation magazine looks at how historic districts in Portland fall short in preventing incompatible uses.

January 27, 2009 - Preservation

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.

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A short list of voices on social, video, and podcasting platforms.