Smyth Lai, a reference librarian in Portland, Oregon, offers his review of leading resources for planning students and scholars.
"The purpose of this compilation is to support the curriculum and research endeavors of undergraduate and graduate students pursuing a career in urban planning.
This is a field that benefits from such extensive online presence, as it captures documents, maps, and other material produced by various government, educational, and nonprofit agencies but not widely disseminated by commercial publishers. This guide is intended to be general in nature, and attempts to represent the interdisciplinary nature of the urban planning field. Also, focus is placed on U.S. planning trends and practices, though some international resources are included."
FULL STORY: Urban planning: Starting points for students and scholars
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.
Chicago’s Ghost Rails
Just beneath the surface of the modern city lie the remnants of its expansive early 20th-century streetcar system.
Bend, Oregon Zoning Reforms Prioritize Small-Scale Housing
The city altered its zoning code to allow multi-family housing and eliminated parking mandates citywide.
Amtrak Cutting Jobs, Funding to High-Speed Rail
The agency plans to cut 10 percent of its workforce and has confirmed it will not fund new high-speed rail projects.
LA Denies Basic Services to Unhoused Residents
The city has repeatedly failed to respond to requests for trash pickup at encampment sites, and eliminated a program that provided mobile showers and toilets.
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.
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Appalachian Highlands Housing Partners
Mpact (founded as Rail~Volution)
City of Camden Redevelopment Agency
City of Astoria
City of Portland
City of Laramie