Landscape Architecture

Designing Permeable Cities for Drought Resilience

Take a kayak trip on the Los Angeles River with KQED science reporter Amy Standen to understand why cities were built on the premise of endless potable water and how we can build cities sustainably in regions that receive low rainfall.

December 4, 2014 - KQED Science

Op-Ed: Billionaire Philanthropy Defeats Democratic Process

Following the splashy announcement of media mogul Barry Diller's plans to finance a $170 million park at Manhattan's Pier 54, a New York Times column renews the call for more equity in open space around New York City.

December 4, 2014 - New York Times

Grassroots Support for a Swimming Hole in Houston

In a city as hot in the summers as Houston, the idea of a swimming hole probably seems pretty appealing. Can an idea floated in a local newspaper column and backed by interested and passionate locals come to fruition?

November 28, 2014 - Houston Chronicle

Review: Smithsonian South Mall Master Plan

Writing for The Dirt, Jared Green takes a critical eye to the proposed master plan for the Smithsonian's South Mall campus, designed by high-profile Danish architecture firm Bjarke Ingels Group.

November 24, 2014 - ASLA The Dirt

London's Garden Bridge Gates Public Access

The approval process is revealing more details about a garden bridge designed by Thomas Heatherwick in London—what has emerged is less a park than a tourist attraction.

November 20, 2014 - The Guardian

$170 Million Park Would Replace Manhattan's Pier 54

With designs by architect Thomas Heatherwick and Landscape Architect Mathews Nielsen, a park proposal for the Hudson River would make a splashy addition to the neighborhood that boasts the south end of the High Line.

November 19, 2014 - The New York Times

play fountain

For Playable Cities: Make the City a Playground

The "Using Behavioral Economics to Create Playable Cities" report suggests that so much time spent in front of screens, and the continued need to counter the obesity epidemic, requires new thinking about play for children living in cities.

October 30, 2014 - Next City

The ULI Urban Open Space Award Goes to Klyde Warren Park in Dallas

The ULI has granted its annual award for the best new open space to Klyde Warren Park, a freeway cap park in Dallas.

October 28, 2014 - Urban Land Institute

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

Los Angeles Embraces Urban Agriculture

A motion passed earlier this month calls for landowners to receive tax breaks for leasing vacant property for agriculture and farming.

October 23, 2014 - The Los Angeles Times

Could the Silver Spring Transit Center Get a Park After All?

Developments in a story from earlier in the year—the Washington Metropolitan Area Transit Authority is receptive to the ideas of local political leaders for a park near the beleaguered Silver Spring Transit Center.

October 23, 2014 - The Gazette

How 'Just Green Enough' Adds the Equity to 'Green'

A Fast Co. Design article explains the "just green enough" concept as advanced by Jennifer Wolch, dean of the College of Environmental Design at the University of California, Berkeley.

October 21, 2014 - Fast Co. Design

Local Opposition Voices Displeasure with 'Lowline' Park Plans

An op-ed by Kerri Culhane, associate director of Two Bridges Neighborhood Council, asks "what is the Lowline, and who is it for?"

October 19, 2014 - The Lo-Down

New Jersey Cities Work Together for Waterfront Park on the Hudson River

Linh Tat reports on the opening of a new waterfront park created and maintained by two New Jersey cities: North Bergen and Guttenberg.

October 16, 2014 - North Jersey

De Blasio Announces $130 Million Park Equity Plan

In response to criticisms of the large investments in "big ticket" parks in wealthy neighborhoods during the Bloomberg Administration, New York City announced a park equity plan this week.

October 11, 2014 - New York Times

A Landscape Architect's Guide to Portland

The Dirt announces the third in its series of Landscape Architecture guides for American cities. This time the focus is on Portland, Oregon.

October 8, 2014 - ASLA The Dirt

'RiverFit': A Pop-Up Fitness Park in Memphis

Hoping to combat the city's dismal rankings in obesity, public and private partners launched the RiverFit pop-up fitness park along the Mississippi River in September.

October 8, 2014 - The Trust for Public Land - City Parks Blog

A Day at the Beach in Downtown Detroit

Inspired by the Paris Plages temporary urban beach along the Seine, a temporary beach in a park in Downtown Detroit is inspiring the Motor City to rethink its public spaces.

September 30, 2014 - Project For Public Spaces

High Line Sign

Where Critics Fear to Tread

Design criticism bridges the gap between the process and product of design, and the public’s understanding and appreciation for it. But does it have to be all about architecture?

September 27, 2014 - Mark Hough

Neuroscience and Landscape Architecture

Two new studies use EEG and fMRI to pinpoint which elements of urban parks and gardens induce brain activity associated with meditative states.

September 26, 2014 - Next City

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.