A century after Frederick Law Olmsted, landscape architects are resuming their role in giving shape to cities.
A new exhibit at the Museum of Modern Art examines the capacity of landscape architects to transform formerly industrial or decrepit urban spaces into public green space. In his review of MoMAs Groundswell: Constructing the Contemporary Landscape, Witold Rybczynski observes that the exhibit illustrates a renewed vitality in the discipline of landscape architecture. Taking the long view is what landscape architecture can contribute to urbanism in the parks, gardens, and other man-made landscapes that are designed to evolve over time. He reflects that that plans for the rebuilding of the World Trade Center site would have benefited from this perspective, lamenting the insistent emphasis on architecture rather than the long-term landscape.
Thanks to Deborah Myerson
FULL STORY: The Aesthetics of Urban Renewal
Maui's Vacation Rental Debate Turns Ugly
Verbal attacks, misinformation campaigns and fistfights plague a high-stakes debate to convert thousands of vacation rentals into long-term housing.
Planetizen Federal Action Tracker
A weekly monitor of how Trump’s orders and actions are impacting planners and planning in America.
In Urban Planning, AI Prompting Could be the New Design Thinking
Creativity has long been key to great urban design. What if we see AI as our new creative partner?
Cal Fire Chatbot Fails to Answer Basic Questions
An AI chatbot designed to provide information about wildfires can’t answer questions about evacuation orders, among other problems.
What Happens if Trump Kills Section 8?
The Trump admin aims to slash federal rental aid by nearly half and shift distribution to states. Experts warn this could spike homelessness and destabilize communities nationwide.
Sean Duffy Targets Rainbow Crosswalks in Road Safety Efforts
Despite evidence that colorful crosswalks actually improve intersection safety — and the lack of almost any crosswalks at all on the nation’s most dangerous arterial roads — U.S. Transportation Secretary Duffy is calling on states to remove them.
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.
Appalachian Highlands Housing Partners
Gallatin County Department of Planning & Community Development
Heyer Gruel & Associates PA
Mpact (founded as Rail~Volution)
City of Camden Redevelopment Agency
City of Astoria
City of Portland
City of Laramie