The Daily Source of Urban Planning News

Car Dasboard at Night

What's Causing The Decline In Driving?

U.S. Public Interest Research Group does a state-by-state analysis of the decline in driving in an attempt to determine it's chief causes.

September 5 - Governing

An image of a winery in Paso Robles

One of California's Most Famous Wine Regions is About to Run Out of Water

Paso Robles -- one of California's premier wine-producing regions -- is on the verge of running out of water, pitting wine producers against rural residents. At stake is the possible future of the region.

September 5 - Los Angeles Times

New York Skyline Fisheye

How To Make A City Great

Respected consulting firm McKinsey & Company offers a detailed report on the steps city leaders around the world take to transform their cities into great places to live and work.

September 5 - McKinsey & Company

Citibike 00001 jeh

NYC Mayoral Candidate Positions on Planning Issues

From stop-and-frisk to sugary sodas to popular pedestrian plazas, The New York Times reviews the positions of NYC's candidate pool on the important issues -- many of them planning-related -- facing the Big Apple's next mayor.

September 5 - The New York Times

A marriage proposal in Gorky Park

Gorky Park's Transformation from Gritty to Glam

Moscow's Gorky Park, once the rundown backdrop of a murder novel, has experienced a remarkable turnaround. Today, the mayor imagines its recovery as part of his legacy while Muscovites simply see it as the perfect place to play, dine, and relax.

September 4 - The New York Times


Cities Struggle with Spread of E-Cigarette Smoke Shops

The $1 billion electronic cigarette industry has boomed in the last year; Southern California cities, shell-shocked from the spread of marijuana dispensaries, are struggling to cope with the storefront businesses.

September 4 - The Los Angeles Times

From Suburbs to "Urban Burbs"

Eric Jaffe of The Atlantic Cities talks with writer Leigh Gallagher about her new book, The End of the Suburbs: Where the American Dream Is Moving, and her opinions on the rapidly evolving American housing market.

September 4 - The Atlantic Cities


Food Stamp Numbers Indicate Sharp Rise In Suburban Poverty

When you think about poverty, do you picture the suburbs? New data suggests that you should.

September 4 - The Atlantic

Image of 20 Fenchurch Street, London

London's 'Walkie-Talkie' Skyscraper Melts Cars

The new "Walkie-Talkie" skyscraper at 20 Fenchurch Street in London has been accused of using the sun to melt cars, damage bikes, and blind pedestrians.

September 4 - Future Cities

What's Behind Bike Share's Skyrocketing Growth?

Earth Policy Institute's bike share charts allow readers to compare bike share programs in the U.S., now numbering 34 with 18,000 bikes. As impressive as it is, a comparison with bike share programs abroad put the numbers in perspective.

September 4 - Earth Policy Institute

This image displays six different types of parking typologies

How Parking Rules Raise Rents

Alan Durning details the negative effects that parking requirements have on housing affordability.

September 4 - Sightline Institute

Image of an infographic: The Truth About Transit

Infographics: The Truth About Transit

Since it has struggled with aggressive transit foes over half-cent sales taxes and light rail, Charlotte, North Carolina's transit system is launching a campaign to dispel myths about transit with crisp, clear infographics.

September 4 - The Atlantic Cities

Midwestern Cities Using Transit as Economic Development Tool

Chicago's Fulton Market's new transit stop is attracting attention and investment in the neighborhood. Increasingly, more cities in the Midwest are embracing transportation projects as a means to revitalize downtowns and historic districts.

September 4 - The Architect's Newspaper

Texas Roads Crisis: DOT Proposes To Let Counties Maintain Roads

Following-up on the depavement of 83 miles of "farm-to-market" roads, TxDOT now proposes a much larger budget-saving measure: "Turn back" control of 2,000 miles of these state roadways to counties and cities. TxDOT also wants to focus on urban roads.

September 4 - KUHF Houston Public Radio

BLOG POST

A Vision for LA's New Web-Based Zoning Code

For the first time since 1946, Los Angeles is completely revising its zoning code. Urban Insight, the team behind Planetizen, is pleased to be part of this project. One of our key goals is to create a modern web-based version of the zoning code.

September 3 - Chris Steins

Has Asia Hit Peak Mega-Mall?

Asia's mega-malls have been booming for over a decade, many built atop former park space, and now are suffering from high vacancy rates and low consumer spending.

September 3 - Quartz

California Refineries Prepare For Canadian Crude

Canadian oil is headed to two California oil refineries thanks to the collaboration of Union Pacific and Canadian Pacific railroads. Valero Energy's Benicia and Wilmington refineries are improving rail facilities in preparation for the deliveries.

September 3 - RailwayAge

NYC's App Quest Generates Wealth of New Subway App Ideas

New York City's MTA is gearing up to wire all of its subway stations for cellular use, and has released the full list of application concepts created by developers for subway riders. The public can vote now -- what would make your ride better?

September 3 - WNYC: Transportation Nation

BLOG POST

Congestion Costing Point-Counter-Point

Conventional transportation planning tends to exaggerate congestion costs and roadway expansion benefits, and undervalues other transportation solutions such as improving alternative modes, pricing reforms and smart growth policies.

September 3 - Todd Litman

BLOG POST

The Garden City at "The World's End"

The new film The World's End may be a hilarious British comedy about an epic pub crawl interrupted by the Apocalypse, but it also presents the viewer with a provocative perspective on competing views of liberty.

September 3 - Michael Dudley

Post News

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.

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.