The Shard, as it is known, has brought about much debate for its futuristic design and the expensive apartments in a part of town that is facing economic challenges.
"Towering 310 metres over the south bank of the River Thames, the Shard already dominates London like no other building, its spire sometimes obscured by cloud in the British capital's often overcast skies," writes reporter Maria Golovnina. The building is 95 stories high, has a price tag of £435 million and was designed by hot architect of the moment Renzo Piano. The interior spaces are not yet completed and won't open until next year, but the building is already facing criticism.
Jonathan Jones, the art critic at The Guardian, says "The Shard is grotesquely out of scale with other London landmarks: it is so big that it demands a massive skyscraper forest around itself."
Decide for yourself by watching this video of The Shard under construction:
FULL STORY: Futuristic Shard has Londoners fired up
Friday Eye Candy: London From Above
A new book, "London Rising," collects photos taken in not-quite-legal fashion from the tops of London's tallest buildings and structures.
Could London Lose its UNESCO Status?
New high-rise towers spreading throughout central London are threatening the character of the city's most important historic sites, reports Martin Bailey.
After the Shard, London's Skyline Gets Shafted
"There is no nice way of putting this, but the skyline of London is being screwed," says Guardian architecture critic Rowan Moore. In an approvals process that runs roughshod over the concerns of the public, only developer egos are being served.
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.
Ken Jennings Launches Transit Web Series
The Jeopardy champ wants you to ride public transit.
Driving Equity and Clean Air: California Invests in Greener School Transportation
California has awarded $500 million to fund 1,000 zero-emission school buses and chargers for educational agencies as part of its effort to reduce pollution, improve student health, and accelerate the transition to clean transportation.
Congress Moves to End Reconnecting Communities and Related Grants
The House Transportation and Infrastructure Committee moved to rescind funding for the Neighborhood Equity and Access program, which funds highway removals, freeway caps, transit projects, pedestrian infrastructure, and more.
From Throughway to Public Space: Taking Back the American Street
How the Covid-19 pandemic taught us new ways to reclaim city streets from cars.
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.
Heyer Gruel & Associates PA
Ada County Highway District
Institute for Housing and Urban Development Studies (IHS)
City of Grandview
Harvard GSD Executive Education
Toledo-Lucas County Plan Commissions
Salt Lake City
NYU Wagner Graduate School of Public Service