The Daily Source of Urban Planning News

$25M To Keep A Company In St. Louis

Despite incentives by other counties and states, Express Scripts, one of the largest pharmacy benefits managers in the nation, is accepting a deal to stay in St. Louis.

September 10 - St. Louis Today

Mexico's 'Shangri-La' Is A Secret No More

Locals are worried that the town of Álamos, long known to only a few, will lose its native charm to the surging American population.

September 9 - The Arizona Republic

The US Will Survive Katrina

An Australian editor theorizes about the United States' flexibility in bouncing back from even the worst tragedies, even in spite of governmental blunders.

September 9 - The Australian

Building Cities for Pedestrians

Hong Kong has one of the most progressive pedestrianization programs in the world, writes Christopher DeWolf. Canadian cities, take note.

September 9 - Maisonneuve

New Trends In University Campus Planning and Design

Universities are revamping their college towns in an effort to stay competitive.

September 9 - Planning Magazine


Three Planning Concepts For Rebuilding New Orleans

Patrick Doherty disagrees with New York Times columnist David Brooks' suggestions for rebuilding New Orleans. He argues that a redevelopment plan for New Orleans should adopt three urban planning concepts and lead the way for other U.S. metro areas.

September 9 - Common Sense

Can New Orleans Heal Its Old Problems By Rebuilding?

Can New Orleans rebuild its gritty charm without recreating 'hyperconcentrations of poverty'? Many fear the New Orleans will become a sanitized version of its past.

September 9 - The Wall Street Journal


Can A Rebuilt New Orleans Retain Its Character?

With federal aid available, pet redevelopment projects are now possible. Some worry that a rebuilt New Orleans will lose its distinct character.

September 9 - Pittsburgh Post-Gazette (via Wall Street Journal)

After Katrina, A Chance To Fight Urban Poverty

David Brooks argues that Hurricane Katrina has created an opportunity to address urban poverty.

September 9 - The New York Times

Kunstler On The Long Emergency and New Orleans

Will New Orleans and the devastated region around it be rebuilt on the hollow premise of cheap oil and suburban sprawl?

September 9 - AlterNet

Rail Builds Better Economy

Twin Cities soar with transit, Detroit sinks without.

September 9 - Elm Street Writers Group

Baton Rouge's Explosive Real Estate Market

Baton Rouge, LA is experiencing an explosive real estate boom as the the city of 400,000 takes in an estimated 100,000 from the parishes of southern Louisiana. 250 homes are sold in one day.

September 9 - The Wall Street Journal

The Case Against Rebuilding New Orleans

Jack Schafer argues that Katrina may amount to "creative destruction," and that "[o]nly a sadist would insist on resurrecting this concentration of poverty, crime, and deplorable schools."

September 8 - Slate

The Sum Of New Orleans Is More Than Its Parts

While much attention is being focused on rebuilding and repair, focus should also be placed on regaining the culture.

September 8 - Dallas News

Evaluating Damage to Historic Buildings, Sites in Mississippi

Preservationists trying to salvage built heritage damaged by Katrina ask, will these historic sites be the same place anymore?

September 8 - The New York Times

Can New Orleans Regain Lost Charm?

Rebuilding New Orleans will involve a lot more than construction.

September 8 - USA Today

California To Go Solar

A partnership between Southern California Edison and Stirling Energy Systems will result in the largest solar farm in the United States.

September 8 - Technology Review

Back To The Basics: Creating A Downtown In Coral Springs

After 40 years of no growth, downtown Coral Springs new downtown is starting to take shape.

September 8 - South Florida Sun-Sentinel

Toxic Time Bomb: Katrina Environmental Impact

Sewage, toxic chemicals and decaying corpses will have an immense environmental impact not only on New Orleans, but on the Gulf of Mexico as well.

September 8 - Common Dreams

The Growing Popularity Of 'Farm Vacations'

City slickers go on farm vacations to get respite from modern life.

September 8 - The Boston Globe

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.

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.