A new report out this week has ranked the Top 10 "Internet Cities" around the globe, based on a set of five criteria: connection speed, availability of citywide WiFi, openness to innovation, support of public data, and security/data privacy.
While one might associate cities like San Francisco, Tel Aviv, or New York with the highest quality of Internet connectivity, none of these cities appear here. Indeed, no Middle Eastern cities appear here at all, and only one US city does, due largely to the United States' poor broadband speeds.
"When it comes to fast Internet, the United States has nothing to brag about. According to Akamai's State of the Internet Report for Q1 2013, the US ranks 9th in the world for Internet speeds, falling behind countries like Switzerland, Latvia, and Czech Republic. It is for that reason that only one US city gets to appear on this list..."
Read the full story: Discover the World's Greatest Internet Cities
Tribal Communities Create Own Broadband Networks
Access to quality internet connectivity in many tribal and rural communities lags far behind other regions.
Making Broadband Investments Count
As connectivity becomes increasingly important to everyday life, policymakers at all levels can take action to streamline broadband infrastructure projects and improve internet access for all communities.
Broadband as Critical Transportation Infrastructure
The future of mobility depends on having a comprehensive, nationwide broadband network capable of supporting new transportation technologies and regulatory needs.
Planetizen Federal Action Tracker
A weekly monitor of how Trump’s orders and actions are impacting planners and planning in America.
California plans to bury El Niño’s downpour
If the state plays its cards right, it may be able to store a billion acre-feet of El Niño’s water in aquifers.
Desperate measures: Advocates weigh draining Lake Powell to fill Colorado River
Draining the reservoir could reduce evaporation losses by a couple hundred thousand acre-feet.
Los Angeles just elected an urban planner as its mayor
Transportation analysts are optimistic that Raman will be more aggressive in addressing transit issues than Bass.
Mamdani’s pied-à-terre tax survives legal challenge
A panel of judges found that the plaintiffs failed to demonstrate injury as a result of New York City's implementation of the tax.
Eastern Nebraska is running out of electricity
Data centers and electrification are straining eastern Nebraska’s grid, throttling economic development.
FREE Course: Walkable City 1: Why Walkability?
After describing his path towards focusing on walkability as the essence of good planning, Jeff Speck marches through his five principal reasons for making more walkable places.
Reinventing Malls: Planning Alchemy—Turning Gray Fields Into Gold
The course focuses on the opportunities and imperatives that shape reinvention of mall sites.
City of Rosemead
Rutgers University, Edward J. Bloustein School of Planning and Public Policy
One Hundred Miles
University of Michigan School for Environment and Sustainability (SEAS)
Hunter College, City University of New York (CUNY)
The Architects Foundation
City of Cambridge
Montrose County
The Pocatello Development Authority