As the summer winds down, here are a list of the five funniest urban planning videos I've found on YouTube over the years, covering news for Planetizen.
As the summer winds down, here are a list of the five funniest urban planning videos I've found on YouTube over the years, covering news for Planetizen.
Aloha from Kauai
At the margin of creativity, video can inject commentary, advocacy, and even satire into planning. Activist Koohan Paik has gained notoriety for "Discover Kauai," a satirical look at the effects of sprawl on the Garden Island that sets images of big boxes and fast food outlets against Kauai's peaks, palms, and cultural traditions. "The video took the island by storm," says Paik. "It was a successful catalyst in galvanizing community action against development."
Discover Kauai (2007)
America's Most Popular City?
Metropopular is an animated short film about what the cities of America would say to one another if they could talk. Frantic about a popularity contest in which these cities are competing, they jockey for top position while arguing between themselves. The film is directed by Jonah Hall and produced by Jason Heapy and Laura Lockwood, and is a PDI/DreamWorks film.
Metropopular (2001)
A Tight Fit
This clip recorded in 2007 by a tourist who decided not to get on a busy commuter Saikyo train in Tokyo shows the downside of high transit ridership. The background commentary by the tourist, "Dan" is almost as humorous as the video itself.
Off to Work (2007)
Pedestrian Congestion Charge?
"You are now entering Edinburgh City Centre's new Pedestrian Congestion Charging Zone. All pedestrians entering this section of The Royal Mile will have £1.00 automatically deducted from their mobile telephone account." What happens when Producer Richard DeDomenici implements a fake pedestrian congestion fee along Edinburgh's Royal Mile?
Pedestrian Congestion Charge (2005)
The Ultimate In Transit-Oriented Development
My all-time favorite video -- one where you can't help but be amazed by human ingenuity and resourcefulness -- is this video appropriately called "Flexible Urban Planning" (2007). Although the author, energizerbonny, doesn't identify the location, a colleague says that the train looks like it's in Thailand.
Flexible Urban Planning (2007)
Did I miss your favorite humorous planning video? Please share your favorite.
The Planning Meeting Everyone's Talking About
The world of planning hearings and the pandemic realities of Zoom meetings collided in spectacular fashion in the tiny town of Handforth Parish in the United Kingdom.
Watch: How Soviet Planners Created a Different Kind of City
The latest video from City Beautiful looks at the legacy of planning from the Soviet Union.
Video: Urban Planning Trends to Watch in 2020
Here's your "tl;dr" treatment of the "Urban Planning Trends to Watch in 2020" article published by Planetizen earlier this year.
Planetizen Federal Action Tracker
A weekly monitor of how Trump’s orders and actions are impacting planners and planning in America.
Congressman Proposes Bill to Rename DC Metro “Trump Train”
The Make Autorail Great Again Act would withhold federal funding to the system until the Washington Metropolitan Area Transit Authority (WMATA), rebrands as the Washington Metropolitan Authority for Greater Access (WMAGA).
The Simple Legislative Tool Transforming Vacant Downtowns
In California, Michigan and Georgia, an easy win is bringing dollars — and delight — back to city centers.
The States Losing Rural Delivery Rooms at an Alarming Pace
In some states, as few as 9% of rural hospitals still deliver babies. As a result, rising pre-term births, no adequate pre-term care and harrowing close calls are a growing reality.
The Small South Asian Republic Going all in on EVs
Thanks to one simple policy change less than five years ago, 65% of new cars in this Himalayan country are now electric.
DC Backpedals on Bike Lane Protection, Swaps Barriers for Paint
Citing aesthetic concerns, the city is removing the concrete barriers and flexposts that once separated Arizona Avenue cyclists from motor vehicles.
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.
Smith Gee Studio
City of Charlotte
City of Camden Redevelopment Agency
City of Astoria
Transportation Research & Education Center (TREC) at Portland State University
US High Speed Rail Association
City of Camden Redevelopment Agency
Municipality of Princeton (NJ)
