Social / Demographics

Rural Utah

U.S. Divisions Between Urban and Rural Aren't as Clear as Politicians Suggest

Urban vs. rural is just one example of the many false dichotomies presented as fact during the presidential campaign. A more nuanced understanding of these terms reveals more of the country's real character.

August 5, 2016 - Brookings

Gentrification

Study Documents the Shifting Racial Boundaries of Gentrifying Cities

New research finds evidence of racial "boundary movements," in older, denser U.S. cities. The research explains more about why gentrification feels like such a powerful force, for those experiencing its effects.

August 4, 2016 - CityLab

Shanghai China

China's Urbanization Boom May Be Slowing

After a period of modernization and urban growth unrivaled in human history, several forces promise a slump, or at least a slowing. Maybe it's time to improve existing cities, not keep building new ones.

August 2, 2016 - Bloomberg

To Bring Water to the Village, Teach Villagers About Water

In Nicaragua, villagers' access to freshwater resources is sometimes impeded by a gap in coordination between the self-governing indigenous communities present there. WaterAid worked with locals in one village to change just that.

August 1, 2016 - Doggerel

5 Cities Launch the 'Racial Equity Here' Initiative

The idea behind the "Racial Equity Here" initiative: dismantle systematic racial inequality.

July 29, 2016 - Next City

Bike and Ped Safety Signs

Safe Streets for Whom?

An equity strategist offers advice on creating safe streets programs that address systemic racism.

July 29, 2016 - Streetsblog

British Rowhouses

Report: Britain's Suburbs on the Decline

London's central core never experienced the deterioration many American downtowns lived through, but the inner city/suburb dynamic was still at play. Now poverty is moving outward.

July 29, 2016 - The Telegraph

Senior Pedestrians

A Case for Integrating Housing and Healthcare Services

Connecting affordable housing and healthcare programs can improve both—especially for seniors and disabled people.

July 28, 2016 - CityLab

Colosseo in Rome as seen from Via dei Fori Imperiali on a Sunday when traffic is cut off.

Walkability Reaches a Tipping Point

With the rise of globalization, and urbanization, people are rethinking how cities should be structured in terms of transportation and mobility. Is it possible to reconfigure auto-centric cities into pedestrian-friendly spaces?

July 26, 2016 - Doggerel

Akron-Cleveland Covered Bridge

Pondering the Continued Existence of the 'Rust Belt'

A recent spate of articles has pondered the concepts and planning strategies at work in the region of the country described as the Rust Belt.

July 26, 2016 - Notes from the Underground

Section 8 Kids

Housing Quality Can Impact Child Development

A home in poor physical condition can be "devastating" to a child's early development, a study of Cleveland kindergarteners found.

July 24, 2016 - The Atlantic

How Will L.A.'s New Inglewood Football Stadium Revitalize South Los Angeles?

The Los Angeles Rams COO details both the stadium's sustainable design and the positive impact the privately funded complex will have on Southern California.

July 22, 2016 - The Planning Report

Lawns and Suburban Homes

4 Reasons Home Ownership Won't Close the Racial Wealth Gap

Homeownership is often promoted as a way for low-income and minority families to build wealth. But it is those very families who assume the most risk in buying a house.

July 22, 2016 - City Observatory

Community Engagement Book

The Toxic State of Public Discourse and How to Clean It Up

Dave Biggs interviews author James Hoggan about his new book, "I'm Right and You're An Idiot: The Toxic State of Public Discourse and How to Clean It Up."

July 19, 2016 - Dave Biggs

Telephone Pole

Broadband Inheriting the Discriminatory Patterns of Previous Infrastructure Systems

The challenges of bridging the digital divide are exacerbated by the racist legacies of previous infrastructure systems, according to a recent presentation to the New York Regional Plan Association.

July 18, 2016 - RPA Lab

SEPTA Trolley

Families Departing Philadelphia for the Suburbs

That headlining claim is found in a recent research study from Pew Charitable Trust's Philadelphia Research Initiative—more demographic goodies are included.

July 16, 2016 - NewsWorks

The Sharing Economy Comes to Urban Public Schools

How one firm is integrating sharing economy principles to bolster Chicago's public schools.

July 14, 2016 - Doggerel

Black Lives Matter

Why it Matters When Protesters Shut Down Highways

Emily Badger, writing for The Washington Post's Wonkblog, doesn't let planners off the hook for the racist history of highway planning around the country.

July 14, 2016 - The Washington Post - Wonkblog

Growth Chart

Population Analysis—Explained and Exemplified

Yonah Freemark provides a comprehensive explainer of the nuts and bolts of population analysis, applying that expertise to an examination of downtown population change.

July 12, 2016 - the transport politic

Cars and Herbie

Americans Shifting Away From the Auto, Maybe

The auto may no longer be "the quintessential symbol of American mobility, status and independence," opines Robert J. Samuelson for The Washington Post, as the latest demographic and auto ownership data point to a change in American mobility.

July 12, 2016 - The Washington Post

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.