North America
Who Teaches Planning?
What role does the background of planning faculty, and the institutions from which they earned their degrees, have on the training of future planners? Tom Sanchez examines the profile of the nation’s planning faculty to help advance this discussion.
Young Millennials and Reborn Downtowns Bring Buses Back
Whet Moser looks at the revival of the intercity bus industry, despite its past inadequacies and stigmas. He discusses a new report that details the elements contributing to today's bus boom.
New Website Helps Create Walkable Communities
A new website, Walksteps.org, provides communities tactics for creating walkable communities.
Placemaking Wishes for 2013
Like a lot of people, Placeshakers is kicking off the new year with a list: placemaking wishes for 2013. Read on for seven trending ideas they hope break large.
Heating Buildings with Human Warmth
No, the title of this post is not an analogy. Diane Ackerman takes a looks at the very literal ways in which cities around the world are harnessing body heat to warm up residential and office buildings.
Why is Little Being Done to Prevent Railroad Deaths?
An investigative series by the St. Louis Post-Dispatch exposes the obstacles to preventing pedestrian railroad accidents - now the leading cause of death on the rails. Authorities are unable to tackle the problem and railroads are unwilling.
'Star Apartments' Beget New Universe of Homeless Housing
In Los Angeles, the Skid Row Housing Trust is breaking past precedent by building modular, but vibrant, housing aimed at emulating city-life; giving residents a sense of community, and a new lease on life.
Word-of-Mouth Walking
In this holiday essay, spelunker John Watts delivers an everyman’s take on Chesterton’s oft-noted adage: Places don’t become loved because they are great; they become great because they are loved. Does your town invite “word-of-mouth walking?”
Tempe Better for Bikes Than Portland?
This week, the website Walk Score announced the results of its expanded Bike Score evaluation. With more than double the amount of cities than initially ranked, the usual favorites (Minneapolis, Portland), were joined by some surprises.
New Data Brings Holiday Cheer for Architects
In the past four years, the real estate and housing downturn has drastically cut billings at architecture firms. However, the Architecture Billings Index shows improvement for a fourth consecutive month and the highest reading since November 2007.
How Big Government Guides All Development
Conservative opponents of Smart Growth often decry the role of government in establishing the regulations and investments that incentivize it. But, as Bradley Heard points out, all development rights, smart or sprawling, depend on big government.
Recapping a Notable Year in Landscape Architecture
Charles A. Birnbaum marks the milestones that have contributed to landscape architecture's growing stature over the past year.
Toronto Reaches for the Skies
With fifteen skyscrapers over 45 stories under construction, Toronto is erecting more tall buildings than any other city in the Western Hemisphere. By 2015, the city is expected to have more than triple the number of skyscrapers than in 2005.
The Top Private Sector Trends Changing Our Cities
Max Nisen discusses how cities like Boston and Edmonton are successfully applying popular trends from the private sector - on topics such as mobility, engagement, big data and innovation - and changing the way we live.
Raleigh Paves the Way for Walkability
Raleigh, North Carolina didn't take getting placed sixth most dangerous metro area in the country lightly back in 2009, and recently drafted a Comprehensive Pedestrian Plan in response.
Public Transit Use Continues to Rise
The American Public Transportation Association has released a new report showing that more people nationwide are taking buses and trains. Amid high has prices, young students and struggling families are being credited with the jump.
Young Adults are Finally Leaving the Nest
The improving job market and low mortgage rates have enabled more adults in their 20s and early 30s to move into their own apartments and to buy homes, which, says Don Lee, could boost the nation's broader economic recovery.
Invest in Public Transit to Slow Climate Change
Reflecting on the significance and impact of Superstorm Sandy, Bill McKibben and Lawrence J. Hanley propose a 3-step process focused on mass transit that America should pursue to promote community development, public health and the environment.
Ranking North America's Smartest Cities
For those of you who've been anxiously waiting since Boyd Cohen published his list of Europe's smartest cities last month...wait no longer, North America's top 10 smartest cities have been revealed.
Why NYC's Most Exciting Architecture Can be Found Hanging on Walls
Planning a trip to NYC over the holidays? In a recent editorial, William Menking argues that “for visitors to New York, the place to look for the most exciting architectural ideas is not the city streets, but the walls of galleries and museums.”
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.
New York City School Construction Authority
Village of Glen Ellyn
Central Transportation Planning Staff/Boston Region MPO
Chaddick Institute at DePaul University
Institute for Housing and Urban Development Studies (IHS)
City of Grandview
Regional Transportation Commission of Southern Nevada
Toledo-Lucas County Plan Commissions
