Social / Demographics

Destroyed Altadena Community Church facade after Eaton Fire in Altadena, California.

UCLA Experts Offer Critical Support for LA Wildfire Response and Recovery

The UCLA Luskin Center for Innovation offers expert guidance on LA wildfire response and recovery, addressing critical issues like water safety, air quality, equitable rebuilding, and climate adaptation to promote resilience and sustainability.

January 20, 2025 - UCLA Luskin Center for Innovation

Close-up of person holding hand-written "Affordable Homes Now!" sign.

America’s Housing Crisis: Lessons Ignored and Challenges Ahead

A recent study reveals how decades of policy missteps, demographic shifts, and economic forces fueled America’s housing crisis, leaving millions — especially millennials — struggling amid rising demand, racial disparities, and climate-driven emergencies.

January 19, 2025 - USC Today

Homes in Altadena, California with mountains in background on a sunny day.

Altadena’s Resilience: Restoring a Fire-Ravaged Community

The Eaton Fire has devastated Altadena, destroying homes, cultural landmarks, and community institutions, while residents rally to rebuild and preserve the town's rich history, diversity, and neighborly character.

January 19, 2025 - NBC News

Front of White House with stormy sky above.

How the Trump Presidency Could Impact Urban Planning

An analysis of potential changes in federal housing, transportation, and climate policies.

January 19, 2025 - Planetizen

Place Dauphine plaza in Paris, France with parked bikes and people milling around.

Lost and Found: Fighting Loneliness With Parks and Third Places

To combat the epidemic of loneliness, Susan Henderson's evocative photos of “third places” reflect on how these spaces have evolved and their importance in fostering connection.

January 16, 2025 - * A Placemaking Journal

Nighttime view of wildfire in Los Angeles hills.

'Place Shock' and the Ecology of Fear

How to conceive of rebuilding places amid sudden change in a region known for its “ecology of fear?” As the city embarks on the arduous task of rebuilding, the question arises: how do we reconcile the imperatives of safety and sustainability with the deeply ingrained human desire for continuity, for a sense of rootedness in the familiar?

January 15, 2025 - Resurgence: A Journey via Substack

Japanese Garden section at Descanso Gardens in Los Angeles.

Healing Together: LA County Offers Care Camps for Families Impacted by Fires

Los Angeles County Parks has launched free emergency care camps at four locations to support wildfire-affected youth and families with meals, activities, and emotional well-being resources while parents focus on recovery.

January 13, 2025 - Pasadena NOw

Emergency personnel responding to Post Fire in Los Angeles in June 2024.

Rebuilding After Disaster: The Role of Social Connections in Resilience

Dr. Lucy Jones emphasizes that resilience in the face of climate-driven disasters like wildfires relies on building strong social connections, which empower communities to recover and adapt to an increasingly challenging future.

January 13, 2025 - Los Angeles Times

Sun seen through red wildfire sky and smoke.

Key Climate and Health Issues to Watch in 2025

The escalating health impacts of climate change, from extreme heat to sea level rise, highlight the urgent need for integrated medical education, proactive communication, and sustainable policy solutions to protect public health.

January 13, 2025 - Association of Health Care Journalists

"Danger Extreme Fire Hazard" sign on street sign post below "No Parking" sign.

Rising Temperatures and the Escalating Wildfire Crisis

Rising global temperatures driven by climate change are intensifying and prolonging wildfire seasons worldwide, necessitating improved forest management, public awareness, and urgent action to reduce fossil fuel emissions.

January 12, 2025 - DW.com

Minneapolis, Minnesota skyline with river and bridge in foreground.

Looking Back on 60 Years of Land Development in the Twin Cities

In 1960, about 12 percent of the Twin Cities metro's land was already developed. By 2020, about 34 percent had been developed. Many factors influenced how the region has changed since 1960.

January 12, 2025 - Metropolitan Council: Metro Update

Red brick building - Lewisville, Texas city hall.

Transforming Communities Through Parks: Lessons from Lewisville

Lewisville, Texas, demonstrates how equitable planning and community-driven efforts can transform underserved areas by enhancing park access and promoting social and recreational equity.

January 10, 2025 - National Recreation and Park Association Open Space Blog

National Mall in winter with snow and people walking around, Washington Monument obelisk visible in background.

DC Shelters Brace for Extreme Cold

Homeless service providers are conducting outreach to help bring people indoors ahead of a potentially life-threatening winter storm.

January 7, 2025 - Washington 7News

Smithsonian museum in Washington, D.C. facade.

Advancing the National Asian Pacific American Museum

Supporters are mobilizing, fundraising, and facilitating the creation of a compelling Congressional report to secure authorization for a Smithsonian museum that represents and preserves the diverse histories and cultures of Asian Pacific Americans.

January 6, 2025 - Friends of the National Asian Pacific American Museum

Sprawl

Research: Sprawl Linked to Poverty

Low-income families living in high-sprawl neighborhoods are limited in their access to education, jobs, and other amenities, often trapping them in a cycle of poverty.

January 6, 2025 - Science Blog

Close-up of white and black NO CAMPING sign on black iron fence.

Nevada Cities Pass Punitive Anti-Homeless Laws

State legislators rejected a proposed bill that would have enshrined a “Homeless Person’s Bill of Rights” in state law.

January 3, 2025 - Nevada Current

Woman walking two small children across crosswalk.

How Urban Design Can Benefit Parents and Kids

Designing thoughtful, child-friendly public spaces can ease the burdens of modern parenting and offer safe spaces for children to learn self-reliance and resilience.

January 2, 2025 - Bloomberg CityLab

Close-up of yellow pedestrian crossing signal button with text "Push button for accessible signal" and diagram of person holding cane, indicating blindness.

Chicago Made Hundreds of Accessibility Upgrades in 2024

The city has improved over 200 bus stops and 400 of its nearly 3,000 intersections to make them safer for people with disabilities.

January 1, 2025 - City of Chicago

Aerial view of wildfire damage in Lahaina, Maui.

$2.1 Billion Secured for Maui Wildfire Recovery and Resilience

Congress has approved federal funding to support Maui’s wildfire recovery, including housing, economic development, and infrastructure improvements while fostering long-term community resilience and preparedness.

December 31, 2024 - Hawaii Public Radio

Aerial view of construction site with yellow dump truck and heavy machinery.

National Brownfields Training Conference: Driving Sustainable Redevelopment

The conference will bring together diverse stakeholders to share knowledge, strategies, and resources for the remediation and sustainable redevelopment of contaminated properties, fostering economic growth and environmental restoration.

December 31, 2024 - Brownfields 2025 Conference

FREE Course: Walkable City 1: Why Walkability?

After describing his path towards focusing on walkability as the essence of good planning, Jeff Speck marches through his five principal reasons for making more walkable places.

Reinventing Malls: Planning Alchemy—Turning Gray Fields Into Gold

The course focuses on the opportunities and imperatives that shape reinvention of mall sites.

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.