Social / Demographics

2015 Was a Record Year for New Vehicle Sales: 17.5 Million

Several key factors, not the least of which was cheap gas, combined to make 2015 a record year for new passenger vehicle sales, smashing the 2009 record of 10.4 million sales and edging-out the prior record of 17.40 million sales in 2000.

January 7, 2016 - The Washington Post

Study: Local land Use Regulations Segregate Metropolitan Areas

A new study reveals new understanding about how restrictive land use regulations in urban areas affect economic segregation across metropolitan areas.

January 5, 2016 - CityLab

On the Suburban South's Troubling Poverty

Land use and transportation planning decisions provide a framework on which other social policies have created particularly isolating and intractable poverty in the South.

January 5, 2016 - The Washington Post

It's not Zero, But Traffic Deaths Decreased Last Year in New York City

Traffic deaths dropped by 27 in 2015 to 230, a reduction of over 10 percent from 2014. Pedestrian deaths decreased only slightly. Bicyclists fared better: deaths dropped by 30 percent.

January 4, 2016 - The New York Times - N.Y. / Region

Suburban School Crossing

Two Types of Black Suburbanization

African-American migration may reflect an attempt to escape poverty-related social ills rather than an attempt to escape gentrification.

January 3, 2016 - Michael Lewyn

Russian River Brewery

Craft Breweries Follow the Demographics

The spread of craft beer manufacturing around the United States has followed demographic patterns, along with friendly regulations.

December 31, 2015 - Quartz

Gentrification Fears Spreading in Houston

In a state famous for affordability, people are beginning to ask a question more commonly associated with San Francisco or New York: Is Houston becoming home only to the affluent and the elite?

December 30, 2015 - Houston Chronicle

Jacksonville

New Census Data Shows a Return to Old Domestic Migration Patterns

New Census data provides a contemporary view of domestic migration, which has returned to pre-recession patterns.

December 29, 2015 - The Washington Post - Wonkblog

Civil Rights Activists Target Baltimore Red Line Cancellation

A complaint filed with the U.S. Department of Transportation alleges that Maryland Gov. Hogan's decision to cancel the long-planned Red Line rail project violates the Civil Rights Act.

December 26, 2015 - The Washington Post- Wonkblog

Shanghai Shopping

Visualizing Global Urban Growth Through 2030

Geographer Duncan Smith mapped the predicted trajectory of worldwide urban growth from 1950 through 2030. Concentric circles of different shades show where and when growth was (or will be) the most dramatic.

December 24, 2015 - CityLab

Both Sides of the Controversial Renewal of the EB-5 Immigration Program

A regional perspective on the Congressional action to renew the controversial EB-5 program.

December 23, 2015 - KPCC

California's Population Now Tops 39 Million

New figures released by the California Department of Finance show that the state grew by 346,000 (to July 1, 2015). As in past years, the increase comes from natural births and immigration while more left the state than entered.

December 23, 2015 - California Department of Finance Press Release

Detroit Street Art

Detroit's Getting Better, Say Detroiters

According to a wide-ranging poll conducted by the Detroit Free Press, residents have regained some optimism about their city and its management. Sixty-nine percent said Detroit is headed in the right direction.

December 21, 2015 - Detroit Free Press

Washington D.C. Metro

Rail Access in High Demand Among the Young, White, and Well Educated

Washington, D.C. provides a model for trends found in other cities: people living near transit are trending younger, whiter, and more educated.

December 20, 2015 - The Washington Post - Wonkblog

Shut It and Gut It: Anchorage Takes Hard Look at Transit Center

After 500 hours of analyzing its downtown transit center, Anchorage officials have come to one conclusion: The only way to fix this building is to shut it and gut it. The transit center, over three decades, has become a blight on Downtown.

December 18, 2015 - Alaska Commons

New Year 2015

The Most Popular Planetizen Posts of 2015

The results of a year's worth of writing, reading, sharing, and commenting are in. These are the most popular Planetizen posts from the year 2015.

December 18, 2015 - James Brasuell

If/Then

Urban Planning's Broadway Moment

Elizabeth Vaughan, the lead character in the Broadway musical 'If/Then' may be the most famous urban planner in the United States, thanks to the star power of Idina Menzel and a surprisingly accurate portrayal of the planning field.

December 14, 2015 - California Planning & Development Report

Durham, North Carolina

The Cities Best Positioned for Growth Based on the Right Mix of Jobs

Having the right mix of jobs in a local economy might be a predictor for future growth.

December 13, 2015 - JedKolko.com

Census Data Reveals Slight Decline in Racial Segregation

It's too soon to declare the beginning of the end for segregation, but one demographer is hopeful that there are opportunities to better integrate different racial groups.

December 12, 2015 - Brookings

Last of the color coding

Four New Map Books Reviewed

Looking for the perfect holiday gift for a planner? Check out these new map books.

December 9, 2015 - New York Times

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.

Associate/Senior Planner

Gallatin County Department of Planning & Community Development

Senior Planner

Heyer Gruel & Associates PA

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.