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
San Diego to Rescind Multi-Unit ADU Rule
The city wants to close a loophole that allowed developers to build apartment buildings on single-family lots as ADUs.
Has President Trump Met His Match?
Doug Ford, the no-nonsense premier of Canada's most populous province, Ontario, is taking on Trump where it hurts — making American energy more expensive.
Study: London ULEZ Rapidly Cleaning up Air Pollution
Expanding the city’s ultra low-emission zone has resulted in dramatic drops in particle emissions in inner and outer London.
San Jose Mayor Takes Dual Approach to Unsheltered Homeless Population
In a commentary published in The Mercury News, Mayor Matt Mahan describes a shelter and law enforcement approach to ending targeted homeless encampments within Northern California's largest city.
Atlanta Changes Beltline Rail Plan
City officials say they are committed to building rail connections, but are nixing a prior plan to extend the streetcar network.
Are Black Mayors Being Pushed Out of Office?
The mayors of New York, St. Louis, and Pittsburgh all stand to lose their seats in the coming weeks. They also all happen to be Black.
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.
Resource Assistance for Rural Environments
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Harvard GSD Executive Education
UCLA Lewis Center for Regional Policy Studies
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Great Falls Development Authority, Inc.
HUDs Office of Policy Development and Research