Last year I had the opportunity to teach a graduate course on "Web 2.0 for Policy and Planning" at the University of Southern California's School of Policy, Planning & Development. Although I am co-teaching a different class this year, I have updated my course website with a revised course syllabus and extensive reading list on Web 2.0 and planning, based on what I learned from teaching the course in Spring, 2009.
Last year I had the opportunity to teach a graduate course on "Web 2.0 for Policy and Planning" at the University of Southern California's School of Policy, Planning & Development.
Although I am co-teaching a different class this year, I have updated my
course website with a revised course syllabus and extensive reading list on Web 2.0 and planning, based on what I learned
from teaching the course in Spring, 2009.
Each student selected a particular Web 2.0 technology and examined the technology through a planning or urban policy lense. I selected the best six student white papers from the
course, and have now assembled them in a short book, Exploring Web 2.0
in Urban Planning.
Exploring Web 2.0 in Urban Planning
A collection of six white papers,
Edited by Chris Steins | Published by Planetizen Press
Abstract: Emerging technologies are fundamentally changing how we
plan, develop and manage our urban areas. Likewise, planning
professionals are increasingly being called on to adopt new
technologies to plan, communicate planning concepts and engage citizens
in the planning process. This collection of articles introduces a range
of Web 2.0 technologies that can be applied to the field of planning,
including Web surveys, Twitter, Web-based geographic information
systems, Google transit, citizen engagement strategies, and image
visualizations. The six white papers in this document were researched
and written by authors at the School of Policy, Planning, and
Development University of Southern California as part of a Spring, 2009
graduate- level course on Internet Technologies and Urban Planning.
Contents
- Introduction, By Dr. David Slaone
- Louisiana Speaks: A Case Study: Examining the Use of the Web to Engage Residents in the Planning Process, By Josie Noah
- Twitter as an Urban Planner's Tool, By Sen Sugano
- The Use of Web GIS for Economic Development, By Mengchen Sun
- An Evaluation of Transit Agency Trip Planners vs. Google Transit, By Simon Vuong
- Candidate Obama vs. President Obama: A Study of Web 2.0 Strategies, By Jason Wise
- Picturing Smart Growth, National Resources Defense Council, By Chin-Yee Wong
The book is available for free to download (PDF), or
available in printed form for a modest printing fee (Ordering information is at the bottom of the linked page.)

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)
