Social / Demographics

Two young women hiking at golden hour.

LA County Parks Celebrates 80 Years with Free Summer Programs

The department has launched the ‘Let’s Play Outside’ campaign as part of its celebration of eight decades of fostering connections between LA County residents and the great outdoors.

June 30, 2024 - MyNewsLA

View of green oil wells in a residential neighborhood in California.

Repurposing Oil Fields Into Parks: Advancing Just Transition and Community Well-being

The concept of a "just transition" extends beyond workers to encompass broader social and environmental dimensions, including the restoration and regeneration of land and communities affected by oil extraction activities.

June 28, 2024 - National Recreation and Park Association Open Space Blog

View of city skyline in red smog indicating extreme heat.

The Heat Is On: Rising Temperatures Strain Urban Infrastructure

This summer is predicted to be one of the hottest on record, and heat waves will likely put physical and social infrastructure to the test.

June 28, 2024 - Diana Ionescu

Tree fallen on home in Texas afetr Hurricane Harvey.

Reining in Rising Property Insurance Rates

There are many proposed ways to mitigate the property insurance cost crisis. They all require action from federal or state governments.

June 27, 2024 - Shelterforce Magazine

Aerial view of San Jose, California with mountains in background.

Managing Unsheltered Homelessness in San Jose

As California and other Western states await a SCOTUS ruling that will greatly affect how cities deal with tent encampments, a new stakeholder is causing big changes in how Northern California's largest city deals with its unsheltered population.

June 26, 2024 - Irvin Dawid

Downtown Fort Worth, Texas skyline.

Preserving Fort Worth’s Historic Black Settlements

Communities dating back to the 1830s are under threat from development, pollution, and zoning regulations.

June 26, 2024 - Governing

Aerial view of green rural community with houses in Pennsylvania.

Pennsylvania Launches Rural Revitalization Commission

While U.S. rural communities gained in population overall, the growth came largely in the South.

June 26, 2024 - The Daily Yonder

Overhead view of black asphalt parking lot with white lined parking spots with EV charging logos.

Study Highlights Equity Gaps in California's EV Incentives

A UCLA research team identifies gaps in incentive uptake and electric vehicle registration rates in disadvantaged communities.

June 25, 2024 - UCLA Luskin Center for Innovation

White pelican with black wings flying low over water at Sepulveda Basin Wildlife Reserve in Van Nuys, California.

Revitalizing Sepulveda Basin: A Green Vision for An Urban Oasis

Developed through the input of thousands of community members, this is the first comprehensive plan by the City of Los Angeles for the 2,000-acre basin.

June 25, 2024 - ABC7 Eyewitness News

Close-up of two children sitting on edge of swimming pool with their feet in the water.

Beating the Heat: Expanding Access to Swimming Pools

The swim season for Los Angles County public pools has been extended, with swim facilities open for five months to provide relief from the hot weather.

June 24, 2024 - ABC7 Eyewitness News

Wildfire burning at night on hillsides next to Lake Elsinore, California.

California Faces Early Surge in Wildfires

Summer is just beginning, but wildfires in California have already burned more than 90,000 acres.

June 24, 2024 - Los Angeles Times

Overhead view of salmon farm in sea in Norway.

New TV Series Highlights Sustainable Aquaculture

Hope in the Water explores the groundbreaking work of dedicated fishers, aqua farmers, and scientists who are seeking to harvest aquatic species to feed our growing population while protecting the oceans.

June 24, 2024 - PBS

Aerial view of downtown Detroit, Michigan at twilight.

Detroit and Michigan on the Upswing

It's been 66 years since the Motor City last grew its population. Census data released last month revealed an increase of nearly 2,000 people last year, nearly half the state's population growth.

June 23, 2024 - Irvin Dawid

Jackie Robinson Park sign in Los Angeles County.

Juneteenth Celebrated At Nation's First Jackie Robinson Park

The historic park in Sun Village hosted a vibrant Juneteenth festival, honoring the African American community's resilience and recognizing local leaders and residents.

June 20, 2024 - The Los Angeles Post

Couple on one side of desk with banker on other side looking at paperwork.

Are Race-Based Lawsuits Affecting Community Lenders?

Shelterforce spoke with community lending leaders and experts about the current mood across the sector. What, if anything, are organizations doing to avoid becoming the next target of conservative activists?

June 18, 2024 - Shelterforce Magazine

Rendering of Glory Park in Lewisville, Texas.

New Park Promotes Community and Connectivity in Lewisville, Texas

The city of Lewisville just celebrated the opening of Glory Park/Parque la Gloria, helping to improve park access and the quality of life for residents.

June 18, 2024 - Lewisville Leader

Elderly woman in pink shirt sitting at table on porch across from elderly man in white shirt. A pot of pink flowers sits on the table.

10,000 Americans Turn 65 Every Day; Why It Matters

As more people age, communities are preparing for the growing need for services, affordable housing, and transportation.

June 16, 2024 - Route Fifty

Concrete walkway with landscaping, decorative tiles, and picnic tables in a Los Angeles County park.

Wish Granted: Former Brownfield Transformed to New Park

Wishing Tree Park in West Carson, California officially opened last month, replacing a brownfield site with a much-needed green space for recreation and respite.

June 14, 2024 - Urbanize LA

Gravel walkway along lake at Earvin Magic Johnson Park in Los Angeles County.

‘Parks After Dark’ Helps LA County Communities Thrive

Los Angeles County's popular Parks After Dark program continues to serve communities in need and offer multiple important benefits, as documented in a recent UCLA study.

June 13, 2024 - UCLA Newsroom

Walkway at San Gabriel River Park.

From Duck Farm to Parkland

The opening of the San Gabriel River Park expands access to green spaces for residents in the San Gabriel Valley, especially for Avocado Heights and other park-poor communities in the area.

June 12, 2024 - San Gabriel Valley Tribune

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.

Top Books

An annual review of books related to planning.

Top Schools

The definitive ranking of graduate planning programs.

100 Most Influential Urbanists

The who's who of urbanism, according to Planetizen readers.

Urban Planning Creators You Should Know

A short list of voices on social, video, and podcasting platforms.