NU At The University Level

The beginnings of thefirst student chapter of New Urbanism, and the future of student chapters inthe CNU.

1 minute read

December 14, 2002, 5:00 AM PST

By Chris Steins @planetizen


"Remarkable things happen when Jim Kunstler comes to town to preach the virtues of traditional communities and trash the system that doesn’t value them. Kunstler calls these "gigs," and at one particular gig held at the University of Georgia (UGA) in 1999, college student Jacob Lindsey and manufacturing engineer Walter Kawa were among the standing-room-only crowd. Soon after, the two met in an Athens, Ga., coffee shop and drafted a charter onto napkins for a new organization called SNU (Students for the New Urbanism). The organization was formed because Lindsey felt there was a complete lack of teaching and thought about new urbanism in the academy."

Thanks to Laurence Aurbach

Saturday, December 14, 2002 in The Town Paper

Young Professional

I love the variety of courses, many practical, and all richly illustrated. They have inspired many ideas that I've applied in practice, and in my own teaching. Mary G., Urban and Environmental Planner

I love the variety of courses, many practical, and all richly illustrated. They have inspired many ideas that I've applied in practice, and in my own teaching.

Mary G., Urban and Environmental Planner

Get top-rated, practical training for planners

"Planetizen federal action tracker" logo superimposed over black and white image of US Capitol dome.

Planetizen Federal Action Tracker

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

October 20, 2026 - Zachary Whalen

Cars driving under automatic congestion pricing toll machines on Broadway next to the Trump International Hotel in Manhattan, New York City.

Data reveals that NYC’s bet on congestion pricing has paid off

After almost two years of the program, reports show positive impacts on traffic and air quality and no disruptions to parking.

October 13, 2026 - Marcelo Remond

A row of tiny homes in Denver

Denver is solving homelessness. Why aren't the rest of us?

Since 2023, Denver's street homeless population has decreased by 64%, proving that effective tools exist to support those in need of housing.

October 14, 2026 - New York Times

A small bird is dazed after crashing into a glass building in Chicago.

Chicago's streets are littered with dead birds. Will the city protect them?

Chicago sits in the route of migratory birds traveling south. Its abundance of glass buildings and bright lights make it particularly disorienting for the animals.

October 24 - Block Club Chicago

A map of the proposed project, showing ample green space and space dedicated for culture and athletics.

CA city to shut down airport, transform it into utopian park

The western side of the 200-acre park will feature a dog park, nature education center and arboretum.

October 23 - LA Urbanize

A person in NYC bikes behind a bus. They have a helmet on top of a yellow hat and wear a yellow shirt.

NYC to vote on supporting outdoor dining, streamlining bus and bike lane creation

The city has five proposed amendments to its municipal constitution on the ballot this November.

October 23 - Gothamist