Many users of Instagram have recognized its potential to build awareness about the beauty of urban environments. If you're still unfamiliar, consider the example of an Instagramming duo in Philadelphia.
Casey Fabris tells the story of Austin Hodges and Billy Cress, who have parlayed an eye for idiosyncratic residences and a hashtag, #phillyhomeportrait, into a three-volume series of books and tens of thousands of followers on Instagram.
The benefits of Instagram stardom, however, are larger than the book deal, according to the testimony of Hodges shared in the article: "It's like creating a visual awareness of the city you live in," says Hodges.
Moreover, according to Fabris, "Hodges said he hopes #phillyhomeportrait inspires others to explore their neighborhoods, documenting the places they find beautiful."
FULL STORY: With iPhone photos of Phila. houses, Instagrammers gain large following
Why Millennials Drive Less: Many Possibilities, Few Answers
Millennials are less likely to get driver's licenses, they tend to take fewer, shorter car trips, and they use alternative modes of transportation more than their predecessors. The question for the ages is why.
The Future of EV Charging Stations and Urban Planning
Explore the future of EV charging in cities and discover urban planning strategies for integrating electric vehicle infrastructure and promoting sustainable transportation.
Blinded by the Light: When Brighter Headlights Decrease Safety
Bright LED headlights can create glare and reduce visibility for other drivers and pedestrians.
Rethinking Redlining
For decades we have blamed 100-year-old maps for the patterns of spatial racial inequity that persist in American cities today. An esteemed researcher says: we’ve got it all wrong.
Planetizen Federal Action Tracker
A weekly monitor of how Trump’s orders and actions are impacting planners and planning in America.
California High-Speed Rail's Plan to Right Itself
The railroad's new CEO thinks he can get the project back on track. The stars will need to align this summer.
Texas Bill Supports Adaptive Reuse in Commercial Areas
Senate Bill 840, which was preliminarily approved by the state House, would allow residential construction in areas previously zoned for offices and commercial uses.
Opinion: Make Buses More Like Sidewalks
Sidewalks are an intuitive, low-cost, and easily accessible mobility tool. Can local buses function in the same way?
How Cities Can Support Climate Adaptation
In the face of federal cuts to climate resilience funding, a panel at ULI’s Resilience Summit offered suggestions for maintaining managed retreat and other climate adaptation programs.
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.
City of Clovis
City of Moorpark
City of Camden Redevelopment Agency
City of Astoria
Transportation Research & Education Center (TREC) at Portland State University
Regional Transportation Commission of Southern Nevada
Toledo-Lucas County Plan Commissions