Ensuring that America's technologically-reliant but vulnerable cities can survive natural disasters and other disruptions may mean that Americans have to look beyond their traditional value of "self-reliance" -- and possibly redefine what it means to be a
"Hurricane Katrina and other substantial natural disasters of the past year...remind us that the physical world still has the power to crash our computerized, digitized, climate-controlled party. Our technology cannot always save us.
"But our neighbors just might. And, happily, we retain the power to shape and revise our communities...How do the growth patterns of our neighborhoods, towns and cities reinforce economic disparity? Make us more dependent on cheap fossil fuel? Irrevocably change the character of the land we depend upon? How do our individual preferences and conveniences make others’ lives more difficult, marginalized, poorer? How do the technologies we use increase our community’s susceptibility to chaos or hardship during times of crisis?"
FULL STORY: What to Take From the Flood
Planetizen Federal Action Tracker
A weekly monitor of how Trump’s orders and actions are impacting planners and planning in America.
USGS Water Science Centers Targeted for Closure
If their work is suspended, states could lose a valuable resource for monitoring, understanding, and managing water resources.
End Human Sacrifices to the Demanding Gods of Automobile Dependency and Sprawl
The U.S. has much higher traffic fatality rates than peer countries due to automobile dependency and sprawl. Better planning can reduce these human sacrifices.
Trump: Federal Government Won’t Pay for California HSR
The President has targeted federal funding for the California bullet train project since his first administration.
San Francisco Enhances Urban Planning Initiatives with Green Infrastructure
San Francisco incorporates green infrastructure in its city development initiatives, elevating the importance of sustainability in urban planning.
Chicago Approves Green Affordable Housing Plan
The Mayor’s plan calls for creating a nonprofit housing corporation tasked with building affordable housing that meets Green Building standards.
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.
Tyler Technologies
New York City School Construction Authority
Village of Glen Ellyn
Transportation Research & Education Center (TREC) at Portland State University
Chaddick Institute at DePaul University
Institute for Housing and Urban Development Studies (IHS)
Regional Transportation Commission of Southern Nevada
Toledo-Lucas County Plan Commissions