Land Use
How Do You Say 'Sustainable Growth' in Mandarin?
A new report sheds major doubt on some of the emerging Chinese cities' abilities to grow in a sustainable manner.
The Missed Aerotropolis
Aerotropolises are cities that develop around airports into vibrant centers of business and residences. The Boston area had a chance to make one, but the city and state missed out, according to this column.
Economic Powerhouse to Emerge in the Arctic
As result of climate change, dwindling resources and shifting demographics, a new economic powerhouse is likely to emerge in the arctic by mid-century, according to the new book "The World in 2050".
Reusing Golf Courses and Abandoned Land in Venezuela
Venezuelan President Hugo Chavez is urging for golf courses to be expropriated for other uses, and calling on citizens to make use of abandoned land.
Forget Cities - It's Regions and Neighborhoods That Matter
When it comes to economics, statistics, demographics, development, and our daily actions, city lines don't count for much - neighborhoods and regions are where things happen, says Kaid Benfield.
First Mountaintop Mining Permit Expected To Be Revoked
A major mountaintop mining permit is likely to be rejected after an environmental review found "unacceptable" impacts on water quality and wildlife. This would be the first major rebuke to the mining practice, and could foreshadow its end.
Urbanism As a Process
As populations shift to cities, the concept of urbanism begins to take on more relevance across the planet. In a recent book, author Jeb Brugmann explores what urbanism means as a trend and a process.
Recovering the Real Estate Market By Shifting Development Patterns
The real estate market will only recover once developers start building the types of neighborhoods and places people are demanding, according to Patrick C. Doherty and Christopher B. Leinberger.
The Web of Walkability
Steve Mouzon visually documents his walkable day-to-day life, and all the places he can get to regularly on foot from his house.
Evidence-Based Urban Planning
In a field such as planning that is rich with quantifiable data, why there so little focus on evidence rather than opinion?, wonders researcher Martin Laplante.
Rating Cities on the Trick-or-Treater Index
What makes a city a great place to go trick-or-treating? Richard Florida takes the question seriously, ranking cities on walkability, the number of kids in the population, and a certain Halloween spirit.
L.A.'s 'Subway to the Sea' Gets Close
The L.A. County Metropolitan Transportation Authority board has selected a route for its long planned Westside extension of the city's subway system. It falls a little short of hopes for a "Subway to the Sea".
Can Cities Make Us Happier?
PlaceMaker Hazel Borys explores what might be the most important metric of sustainable places.
A Park to Fit the Arch
New designs for the surrounding park offer a chance at a brighter future for the Eero Saarinen-designed Gateway Arch in St. Louis.
A New City and Business Hub for South Korea
New Songdo City is rising in South Korea, part of an effort to lure foreign investment and business that will help revitalize the struggling economy.
'Livable' Sounds Great, But What is it?
Grist talks with Transportation Secretary Ray LaHood about just what exactly "livable communities" are and how the government is planning to create them.
Preserving Detroiters' Way of Life
Forbes talks with Detroit Mayor Dave Bing about reshaping the city and how those plans will and won't impact long-time residents who may be opposed to change.
Urban Homestead Sectors, Naturescapes, and Green Venture Zones
A group called The Community Development Advocates of Detroit (CDAD) released a report this week that breaks the city down into 11 different district types, each with their own character and policy recommendations.
EcoDistricts to Rise in Portland
Portland has five "eco-district" pilot projects in the works. The first two are expected to begin implementation over the next year, and organizers are hoping they lead to more sustainability efforts throughout the city.
Public Space is Essential for Democracy
Architecture critic Sarah Williams Goldhagen says that streets can't create public interaction in the way that unstructured spaces like urban parks can.
FREE Course: Walkable City 1: Why Walkability?
After describing his path towards focusing on walkability as the essence of good planning, Jeff Speck marches through his five principal reasons for making more walkable places.
Reinventing Malls: Planning Alchemy—Turning Gray Fields Into Gold
The course focuses on the opportunities and imperatives that shape reinvention of mall sites.
City of Rosemead
Rutgers University, Edward J. Bloustein School of Planning and Public Policy
One Hundred Miles
University of Michigan School for Environment and Sustainability (SEAS)
Hunter College, City University of New York (CUNY)
The Architects Foundation
City of Cambridge
Montrose County
The Pocatello Development Authority
