Looking back on the remarkable transformation of urban life in New York during Mayor Bloomberg's administration, William Menking wonders what the next mayor will do to support design and planning in the city.
While all of the credit for the "transformation in how citizens move about, experience, and live in the city" cannot be given to the mayor, Menking does acknowledge that "Mayor Bloomberg's administration made a conscious effort to bring architectural and urban design thinking into city government more than at any time since Robert Moses and John Lindsay in the late 1960s."
With Mayor Bloomberg's tenure scheduled to end next year, Menking is beginning to get anxious about where design and planning will find themselves under the next administration. "We have heard almost nothing from Quinn and the two or three other likely candidates about their potential policies."
A model for Menking's desire to hear more from the candidates might be found in the just concluded Mayoral Candidate Forum, hosted over five consecutive Friday evenings by the AIA Los Angeles. The public forums, moderated by Los Angeles City Planning Commission President, Bill Roschen, and Los Angeles Times Architecture Critic, Christopher Hawthorne, were an incredible opportunity to engage the five candidates, one at a time, on a range of topics important to the design and planning community.
Although some candidates displayed more mastery of the politics and language of design and development than others (you can see video of each event here), the forum surely proved the importance of such issues to Angelenos, and began what will hopefully remain on ongoing discussion with whomever succeeds Mayor Villaraigosa.
FULL STORY: Editorial> What's the Next Vision for New York?
Distracted Driving—Still a Problem and a Threat to Public Safety
Even with laws limiting or prohibiting the use of devices while driving, motorists continue to make calls and text while driving.
The Growing Urban Inequality Gap, Visualized
Inequality is growing faster in large metropolitan areas, according to a New York Times data visualization.
Understanding Cities Through Their Life Cycles
Cities go through ups and downs over time, and where a city is in its longer history can reveal the reasons behind population changes.
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.
In Urban Planning, AI Prompting Could be the New Design Thinking
Creativity has long been key to great urban design. What if we see AI as our new creative partner?
King County Supportive Housing Program Offers Hope for Unhoused Residents
The county is taking a ‘Housing First’ approach that prioritizes getting people into housing, then offering wraparound supportive services.
Researchers Use AI to Get Clearer Picture of US Housing
Analysts are using artificial intelligence to supercharge their research by allowing them to comb through data faster. Though these AI tools can be error prone, they save time and housing researchers are optimistic about the future.
Making Shared Micromobility More Inclusive
Cities and shared mobility system operators can do more to include people with disabilities in planning and operations, per a new report.
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.
planning NEXT
Appalachian Highlands Housing Partners
Mpact (founded as Rail~Volution)
City of Camden Redevelopment Agency
City of Astoria
City of Portland
City of Laramie