As part of a special issue, Scientific American magazine examines the science of "Better Smarter Cities."
Over 14 articles, Scientific American covers such topics as:
- meeting global challenges through cities
- harnessing mobile communications to create smart cities
- cities as engines of innovation
- why cities become more efficient as they grow
- life in the "meta city"
- innovations for livability
- green retrofitting
- rejuvenation through human capacity - e.g., teachers and entrepreneurs.
- the efficient city
- why 9/11 didn't result in the end of the skyscraper.
Articles are only accessible by purchasing the issue in print or digital download. Writers include Ed Glaeser, Anthony Townsend, and Robert Neuwirth.
FULL STORY: Better Smarter Cities

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

Silicon Valley ‘Bike Superhighway’ Awarded $14M State Grant
A Caltrans grant brings the 10-mile Central Bikeway project connecting Santa Clara and East San Jose closer to fruition.

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.

California Set to Increase Electric Truck Chargers by 25%
The California Transportation Commission approved funding for an additional 500 charging ports for electric trucks along some of the state’s busiest freight corridors.

21 Climate Resilience Projects Cancelled by the EPA
The federal government has pulled funding for at least 21 projects related to farming, food systems, and environmental justice to comply with one of Trump’s early executive orders.

Trump Executive Order on Homelessness Calls for Forced Institutionalization
The order seeks to remove legal precedents and consent decrees that prevent cities from moving unhoused people from the street to treatment centers.
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.
Yukon Government
Caltrans
New Jersey Institute of Technology
Mpact (founded as Rail~Volution)
City of Camden Redevelopment Agency
City of Norman, Oklahoma
City of Portland
City of Laramie