A Database of Urbanism-Related Research

A new project is intended to forge connections between research and practice in the world of urbanism.

1 minute read

September 25, 2017, 8:00 AM PDT

By James Brasuell @CasualBrasuell


High Rises

By Piotr Szczepankiewicz / Shutterstock

Emily Talen shares news of a new tool released by her and her team at the University of Chicago that creates a database of urbanism-related academic research, in the hopes of creating better connections between research and practice.

"As a start," explains Talen, "we scanned the output of 64 academic peer-reviewed journals over the past 5 years (journals that we judged would be the most likely to publish urbanism-related material), searching for articles related to urbanism." The two primary goals of the project, according to Talen: "First, to get a sense of the kind and quantity of urbanism-related research going on; and second, to figure out what was missing from this body of scholarship."

The initial survey yielded 65 articles, summarized on the website Urbanism website at the University of Chicago (see "Research Summaries" on the home page).

Friday, September 22, 2017 in Public Square

portrait of professional woman

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 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 Planner

Get top-rated, practical training

Historic homes in St. Augustine, Florida.

Florida Considers Legalizing ADUs

Current state law allows — but doesn’t require — cities to permit accessory dwelling units in single-family residential neighborhoods.

March 18, 2025 - Newsweek

Aerial view of suburban housing near Las Vegas, Nevada.

HUD Announces Plan to Build Housing on Public Lands

The agency will identify federally owned parcels appropriate for housing development and streamline the regulatory process to lease or transfer land to housing authorities and nonprofit developers.

March 17, 2025 - The Wall Street Journal

Close-up of traffic congestion from behind cars on a freeway in the San Francisco Bay Area.

Conservatives’ Decongestion Pricing Flip-Flop

When it comes to solving traffic problems, the current federal administration is on track for failure, waste, and hypocrisy.

March 17, 2025 - Todd Litman

Lava visible in crater with steam coming out in Hawaii.

Can Geothermal Energy Fuel Hawaiʻi’s Future?

Gavin Murphy, a New Zealand-based consultant with experience in indigenous-led geothermal projects, argues that Hawaiʻi is poised to achieve energy independence and economic growth by respectfully developing its untapped geothermal resources.

March 24 - Honolulu Civil Beat

Purple, orange, and yellow wildflowers in a field in California.

Climate Gardening: Cultivating Resilient Landscapes in Los Angeles

TreePeople’s 4th Annual Urban Soil Symposium explored how climate gardening, soil health, and collaborative land management strategies can enhance urban resilience in the face of climate change.

March 24 - TreePeople

Close-up on charging port for electric cars.

Electric Surge: EV Chargers Outnumber Gas Nozzles in California

California now has 48% more electric vehicle chargers than gasoline nozzles, reflecting its rapid shift toward clean transportation and aggressive zero-emission goals despite federal pushback.

March 24 - Inside EVs