Scientific research supports what many planners have thought true for years -- natural settings are more than "just another pretty space."
Recent experiments conducted with children show a link between nearby access to nature and improved ability to maintain attention. This is true in urban and rural settings. "Civic planners have long considered the inclusion of nature into everyday settings as a theoretical ideal -and more recently it was documented to be a human preference, says Jack Nasar, a professor of city and regional planning at Ohio State University. 'The newer work,' Nasar adds, 'is starting to say that vegetation is not only preferred, but it's physically restorative.'"
Thanks to Erin Clark
Read the full story: Research shows green views can alleviate stress, boost attention
Planetizen Federal Action Tracker
A weekly monitor of how Trump’s orders and actions are impacting planners and planning in America.
Amtrak, CN end decades-long dispute with eight-year agreement
The new operating agreement establishes an updated framework for the companies to work together, including processes to resolve disputes.
Northwest rail fans eager for Sept. 30 debut of Amtrak’s Airo fleet
Get ready for that new train smell and more seats. But they won’t go faster or run more frequently on the Cascades route in Washington and Oregon.
California lawmakers approve just 5% of much-needed LA28 transportation funding
State legislators appear just as unwilling as Trump to pay for Olympics-related transportation projects.
MTA looks to bring AI-assisted, multilingual announcement system to subways
Some of the transit agency’s audio systems haven’t been upgraded in 40 years.
Houston Metro makes on-demand rideshare pilot a permanent part of its network
The transit agency is launching upgrades to three of its on-demand services.
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 Thousand Oaks
City of Wisconsin Rapids
Harvard University Graduate School of Design
The Architects Foundation
University of Cincinnati Online
The Pocatello Development Authority
The Urban Renewal Agency of the City of Pocatello