North America
Friday Funny: Vicious, Intractable Neighborhood Development War Inspires Mirth
Think your neighborhood disputes are rancorous? With ample swearing, The Onion pokes diabolical fun at NIMBYism and "short-sighted, profit-oriented renewal."
The Housing Facade Is Just A Facade
This column bemoans the stark architectural differences between the insides and outsides of suburban houses.
Architects Redefining The Public Library
Architype profiles 8 new and renovated urban public libraries in the words of their design teams.
Envisioning Bike Lanes On Your Street
If bicyclists were allotted pathways just as pedestrians are, then biking in U.S. cities could become as viable a mode of transportation as it is in Europe.
Sending Toronto's Mayor To The Chicago School
Toronto, Canada's largest city, could learn a lot by looking at Chicago, writes Margaret Wente.
Placemaking and Public Libraries
As public libraries take on more roles in their communities -- including acting as key public spaces -- librarians are adopting "placemaking" into their facility and service planning.
The Crisis In Affordable Housing
There has been a great deal of press given lately to the crisis in the housing market. The real crisis, writes Alec Dubro, is shelter unaffordability and homelessness for low-income earners.
Global Warming Island
A peninsular area of land in Greenland has become an island off its coast due to rising sea levels, which scientists attribute to global warming.
The Home Depot 'Paints' Itself Green
With stores in Canada already successfully selling its environmentally friendly products, the Home Depot looks to become the largest retailer of eco-friendly products in America.
Comfortably Gridlocked
A researcher has cited the preponderance of luxury amenities in cars as decreasing the amount of carpoolers and making it easier for drivers to "adapt" to and accept gridlock.
The Suburban Vision of 'Radiant City'
A new documentary called Radiant City paints a peculiar portrait of contemporary suburbia.
Could Parking Meters Solve Traffic Snafus Around Schools?
One blogger wonders if parking meters would help solve the morning and afternoon traffic jams by discouraging parents from driving their kids to school -- all the while lowering emissions and raising revenue for public education.
Are Public Libraries Still A Destination?
In a Google era -- and for a generation of suburban kids who want to own books and AV -- the local library may be losing its appeal.
Should Gay Districts Be Preserved?
Long known internationally as America's "Gay Mecca", San Francisco's Castro District is seeing an influx of straight couples who find the district's amenities attractive. A movement is afoot to ensure the district retains its gay identity.
2,000 Mile 'Underground Railroad' Bike Route Opens
From Mobile, Alabama to Owen Sound, Ontario, bicyclists can retrace the route of freedom-seekers, visiting historic sites on the way.
Planning And The 'New People Power'
Local governments and citizens are finding that tackling community problems requires new forms of deliberative democracy.
Comments On Social Interaction And Sprawl Report
In the face of an "inaccurate claim" that city neighbors are less friendly than their suburban counterpart, Robert Steuteville of New Urban News provides comments on the University of California study "Social Interaction and Urban Sprawl".
Improving Transportation While Lowering Emissions
By implementing practical market reforms that discourage car trips, cities can solve traffic problems and improve air quality.
Public Space And The Urban Library Renaissance
With plush furniture, coffee shops, rock concerts and meeting spaces, public libraries are reinventing themselves as the city's primary public place.
Cities Benefitting From Decking Highways With Parks
U.S. cities are increasingly utilizing below-grade freeway to cover with parkland. Some 20 highway-deck parks are already open, with more in the pipeline.
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
