North America
The Bleary-Eyed Cross-Border Commute
In the wee hours of the morning, hundreds if not thousands of workers from Tijuana, Mexico trade the comfort of their beds for restless sleep in cars parked near U.S. border inspection stations.
Making Plans For Oil-Scarce Future
In the most recent issue of Orion, James Howard Kunstler restates his prescription for an oil-scarce future: reinvesting in rail and water transportation; re-localized economies; and urban densification.
Habitat Protection Through 'Bioregional' Planning
This article from Seattle-based publication WorldChanging describes regional planning efforts to protect sensitive fisheries. This regional planning is not based on political boundaries, but rather on biological boundaries.
Ten Principles of Post-Peak Planning
The end of plentiful and inexpensive fossil fuels is something cities need to consider in their long-term planning.
Lifestyles Of The Rich And Poor In Mexico City
As the ranks of Mexico's rich swell, the haves and the have-nots in Mexico City are living increasingly separate lives. Walled cities are being built to separate the upper and lower classes in Mexico's capital, while bullet-proof evening wear is selling briskly.
After Thanksgiving, Communities Celebrate 'Buy Local Day'
In the city of Portland, local business owners and politicians are calling on the city's residents to counter the massive day-after-Thanksgiving commercial consumption by supporting the local economy on Saturday's third annual "Buy Local Day".
Altering Land Use For Healthier Food Access
This article from Smart Growth Online looks at the increasing concentration of fast food restaurants in many cities and the resulting impact on public health, and also offers some advice to communities for using land use strategies to limit the i
Green Buildings Make Kids Smarter, Healthier
A new report released by the American Institute of Architects has found that implementing green building techniques in schools has benefits beyond the environment. Test scores and student health have also been shown to increase.
Fat City: Questioning The Relationship Between Urban Sprawl and Obesity
Researchers at the University of Toronto conclude that linking sprawl and obesity is misguided.
Mexico Furious Over Border Fence
President Bush approves plans for a 700km border fence between the United States and Mexico, to the dismay of the Mexican government and immigrant advocates.
Putting The Humanity Back Into Habitats
Grants, contributions, a collaboration with the Institute for Classical Architecture & Classical America, open minds, and tight budgets are helping Habitat for Humanity raise its design standards.
Bruegmann's Soft Spot For Sprawl
Alex Marshall rebuts sprawl arguments posited by Robert Bruegmann's "Sprawl: A Compact History".
News Summary and Analysis - September 2006
As part of monthly series, we present a summary and analysis of some of the most interesting news to appear on Planetizen over the month of September 2006. This is the transcript of an audio segment that originally aired on the nationally syndicated radio program "Smart City".
Causes of Sprawl: A Portrait from Space
Researchers calculate We calculate a 'sprawl index' for all metropolitan areas and then examine the reasons why sprawl differs across space.
U.S. Border Fence Threatens Biological Diversity
The proposed anti-immigration fence between the United States and Mexico could prove disastrous for the region's wildlife and ecosystems, environmentalists warn.
Public Housing Community Offers Model For Regional Centre
Built after the so-called Halifax Explosion 90 years ago, the highly regarded neighborhood that surrounds Canada's first public housing project is filled with gardens, alleyways, parks, shops, schools, and history -- all within walking distance.
Cooling U.S. Economy Good For Canadian Housing Market
Contrary to American housing markets, Canadian housing sales have continued to grow this year.
Universities Green For Many Purposes
Colleges and universities are finding innovative ways to be community leaders in waste reduction, renewable energy and green procurement. But their reasons are not selfless.
Should The Senate Bail-Out Amtrak?
This editorial from The New York Sun argues that a $1.6 billion bail out from the U.S. Senate is not the right way to fix the nation's perpetually struggling passenger rail system. International examples of success should be considered.
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
