How well does artificial intelligence ‘get’ U.S. cities?
In a blog post on Medium, Chris Steins provides “An AI-inspired visual tour of some of America’s most digitally rendered iconic neighborhoods.”
The images illustrate the power and limits of artificial intelligence when it comes to interpreting “the essence” of a place as described in words, including the typical subtle AI glitches and ‘uncanny valley’ feel (the Miami image essentially looks like a screenshot from ‘Barbie’).
The renderings all seem to show neighborhoods as their quietest and most residential, showing primarily single-family homes, cars parked curbside, and a marked absence of people—despite the fact that many of the cities in question are some of the nation’s densest and most populated. Even the New York City image manages to include a plethora of foregrounded cars and no humans. It seems that when AI seeks out information about U.S. cities, it finds sterile, auto-oriented, suburban neighborhoods. Is it wrong?
FULL STORY: AI’s Interpretation of American Neighborhoods in 20 Images
The future of GIS, explored
The pros and cons of ArcGIS Urban, CityEngine, AI assistants and more notes from the 2026 Esri User Conference.
Does every planner need an AI policy?
From a hundred-person agency to a one-person consultancy, the answer is yes. The difference is what “policy" means.
5 ways to hallucination-proof your AI output
With public trust on the line, the stakes are high for urban planners to ensure accuracy in our AI work. Here’s how to do it.
Planetizen Federal Action Tracker
A weekly monitor of how Trump’s orders and actions are impacting planners and planning in America.
The state-sanctioned urbicide of Austin
People don’t kill cities. Freeways do.
US to reduce Colorado River water deliveries to Mexico
A new Colorado Treaty amendment reduces Mexico’s Colorado River water allocation by 250,000 acre feet.
5 New England states march closer to 800 megawatt wind energy project
Securing federal approval for the project may be complicated under the Trump administration, which has historically been hostile towards domestic wind power.
Baltimore to break ground on $50 million Transit Priority Project
The project will bring faster bus trips, safer streets and better bike connections to Baltimore.
Airbnb launches $250 million 'last-dollar financing' housing accelerator, makes first investment in Austin
The company will put $6.4 million towards affordable housing development in Texas’ capital.
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.
Eagle County Government
Harvard University Graduate School of Design
Nashville Planning Department
The Architects Foundation
University of Cincinnati Online
The Pocatello Development Authority
The Urban Renewal Agency of the City of Pocatello
Journal of the American Planning Association