Social / Demographics

Young Crowd

The Not-So-Bright Side of Millennials

Guess which group is losing faith in the American Dream? Washington Post Wonkblog reporters Jim Tankersley and Scott Clement write on a Fusion 2016 Issues Poll released December 1 that surveys millennials on their chances for upward mobility.

December 2, 2015 - The Washington Post Wonkblog

Gentrify Occupy

Definitions (of Gentrification) Matter

Whether gentrification is common depends on how one defines it.

December 1, 2015 - Michael Lewyn

Stahl House Los Angeles

Krugman Argues the Supply Side to Combat Urban Inequality

Paul Krugman, one of the most influential voices of liberal policy in the United States, has identified a culprit in the U.S. affordability crisis: over-regulation.

November 30, 2015 - The New York Times

A Quick Guide to the COP21 Climate Talks

World leaders are meeting in Paris this week for the United Nation's COP21 talks. But what exactly are the main topics of discussion?

November 30, 2015 - Doggerel

Mapping the U.S. 'Turkey Belt'

Don't worry; we're not mentioning belts to make you feel too guilty to enjoy today's meal.

November 26, 2015 - Vox

Old Man Cyclist

Middle-Aged White Americans Take a Significant Turn for the Worse

Why are mortality rates increasing for this group in the United States and not others? The usual suspects—obesity, heart disease, diabetes, smoking are not the killers, The findings resulted in the 2015 Nobel Memorial Prize in Economic Science.

November 24, 2015 - The New York Times - Health

Vision from the Future: A 'Dating App' for Deciding Where to Live

One of the earliest researchers at Skype makes a compelling case for one of the potential applications of artificial intelligence: helping humans decide where and how to migrate.

November 23, 2015 - Medium

A Planner's Perspective on Brazil's Water Crisis

With water shortages in São Paulo making headlines around the world, Brazil is rethinking its approach to water infrastructure. Arup's Pablo Lazo gives his perspective on the various entities that are acting for change.

November 23, 2015 - Doggerel

'Threading the Needle' of Environmental Sustainability and Social Justice for Cities

This blog is part of the World Resources Report (WRR) series. The WRR looks at cities as drivers of economic and social opportunity, and simultaneously as areas with concentrations of poverty, environmental degradation, and inequality.

November 23, 2015 - TheCityFix

Anchorage to Provide Permanent Housing for the Homeless

Newly elected Mayor Ethan Berkowitz has unveiled a new plan to end homelessness in Alaska's largest city, Anchorage. It focuses on providing permanent housing over the next three years for 300 adults who are living on the street and in camps.

November 22, 2015 - Alaska Public Media

Nicollet Mall

Whose Comfort Matters in Public Spaces?

In overhauling the appearance and ambience of a popular mall, the Minneapolis Downtown Council and the Minneapolis City Council have promoted strategies beyond heavy-handed policing, including philanthropy, social services, and community engagement.

November 21, 2015 - Shelterforce/Rooflines

Cat Selfie

Meow We're Talking: Ranking Cities by Number of Cat Ladies

Nielsen Scarborough released new market data this week that revealed the cities with the highest percentage of single women who live along with at least one cat.

November 20, 2015 - The Seattle Times

Planning for Fitness in Oklahoma City

Six years ago, the 620-square-mile city had not one bike lane and forty McDonald's franchises.

November 19, 2015 - Huffington Post

How the Census Will Improve Race and Ethnicity Data for 2020

At the halfway point in the ten-year Census window, the Census Bureau undertakes research into how to improve its data collection for questions of race and ethnicity.

November 18, 2015 - U.S. Census Bureau

The U.S. Cities With the Most Children

Governing magazine digs into the data about which cities American families are more likely to call home.

November 18, 2015 - Governing

Melting Pots and Shrinking Islands

Brooklyn-based artist Ekene Ijeoma newest piece shows what parts of New York City are affordable to different people across the spectrum of salaries in the form of crystalline islands called "wage islands."

November 17, 2015 - Doggerel

Where People Choose to Live—Simple and Also Not-So-Simple

A new study confirms much of what we already suspect about the choices people make about where to live, but with a far-reaching, scientific approach.

November 12, 2015 - CityLab

Small Town Art

Are Small Towns the Next Arts Districts?

As rising costs expel artists from urban cores, some small towns are positioning themselves as unlikely magnets for creative expression.

November 12, 2015 - Nonprofit Quarterly

Vancouver Waterfront

Gentrification and Affordability Worries Arise Over a Proposed Vancouver Tower

A 12-story residential tower proposed for a Vancouver neighborhood is receiving pushback from housing advocates and the local Chinese community.

November 12, 2015 - The Province

Vermont College

The 'Two-Body Problem' Challenges Small Town Workforces

Academia's "two-body problem" may be affecting other industries as women pursue more specialized careers and marry similarly educated men. Two-career couples are likely to gravitate toward larger metro areas with job opportunities for both partners.

November 10, 2015 - StatChat: the blog of the UVA Demographics Research Group

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.