As the northern summer starts, one of the questions I am asked most frequently by current and prospective planning students is: what should I read? A number of resources are available to answer this question. This month I look at general planning readings for a North American audience but in coming months I’ll explore readings about global planning issues, planning methods, and planning classics. For those wanting an overview of planning issues, the following lists are good places to start:
As the northern summer starts, one of the questions I am
asked most frequently by current and prospective planning students is: what
should I read? A number of resources are available to answer this question. This
month I look at general planning readings for a North American audience but in
coming months I'll explore readings about global planning issues, planning
methods, and planning classics.
For those wanting an overview of planning issues, the
following lists are good places to start:
The Planetizen top 20 planning books is a solid introductory
list of interesting and accessible books identified through nominations by Planetizen
readers and others: http://www.planetizen.com/books/20
The planners web list for citizen planners is the result of a 1999 survey by
the Planning Commissioners Journal and is also focused on popular and readable
books:
http://www.plannersweb.com/books/book-recs1.html
The Disorientation Guide is a manual published by Planners
Network but written for students by students. Available as a downloadable PDF
it provides a list of media resources including a large number of books,
typically with a critical edge. Go to http://www.plannersnetwork.org/publications/disorientation.html,
download the guide, and go to pages 13-15.
Finally, all the lists above are focused on general issues
in planning but for those interested in a specific topic there is another kind
of source. Many planning faculty post syllabi on the web and each one contains
readings selected for relevance. Googling "urban planning syllabus" or
"planning class" plus a keyword can lead you to these very useful resources. I particularly
like the urban studies and planning section of the MIT Open Courseware site at http://ocw.mit.edu/OcwWeb/Urban-Studies-and-Planning/index.htm
Ann Forsyth reads
several hundred articles and books in planning each year and will provide more
resources for reading about planning in upcoming months.

Trump Administration Could Effectively End Housing Voucher Program
Federal officials are eyeing major cuts to the Section 8 program that helps millions of low-income households pay rent.

Planetizen Federal Action Tracker
A weekly monitor of how Trump’s orders and actions are impacting planners and planning in America.

Canada vs. Kamala: Whose Liberal Housing Platform Comes Out on Top?
As Canada votes for a new Prime Minister, what can America learn from the leading liberal candidate of its neighbor to the north?

Washington State’s Parking Reform Law Could Unlock ‘Countless’ Acres for New Housing
A law that limits how much parking cities can require for residential amd commercial developments could lead to a construction boom.

Wildlife Rebounds After the Eaton Fire
Following the devastation of the Eaton Fire, the return of wildlife and the regrowth of native plants are offering powerful signs of resilience and renewal.

LA to Replace Inglewood Light Rail Project With Bus Shuttles
LA Metro says the change is in response to community engagement and that the new design will be ready before the 2028 Olympic Games.
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.
Central Transportation Planning Staff/Boston Region MPO
Heyer Gruel & Associates PA
Institute for Housing and Urban Development Studies (IHS)
City of Grandview
Harvard GSD Executive Education
Regional Transportation Commission of Southern Nevada
Toledo-Lucas County Plan Commissions
