Social / Demographics

Red and Blue States

Where the Candidates Live

Some presidential candidates favor sprawl, but a surprising number live in cities or inner-ring suburbs.

November 9, 2015 - Michael Lewyn

Houston's downtown skyline

Dispelling Four Myths of Houston's Growth and Affordability

A researcher at Rice University finds that proclamations of Houston’s affordability, gentrification, and growth are just myths.

November 9, 2015 - The Urban Edge

Oakland

5 Big Ideas for Oakland

People are looking for ideas in the Bay Area. Across the water from the calcified world of San Francisco, Oakland offers the flexibility and energy to build an equitable and dynamic resource that benefits the entire region.

November 4, 2015 - SPUR Urbanist

Subway

Street Harassment: An Issue for Planners?

Women and men experience public spaces differently. It is all too common for women to experience street harassment when in public spaces. Nina Flores explores the ways that this issue is being combatted in the online public realm.

November 3, 2015 - Jennifer Evans-Cowley

China Ends One-Child Policy

It's the end of an era. After 36 years, China has decided to end its restrictive one-child policy, by allowing couples to have two children. Why the change? In three words: an aging population.

October 30, 2015 - BBC News

Midwest Flags

12 Maps to Explain the Midwest

Aaron Renn scours the Internet to find 12 maps that attempt to do the impossible: define the geographic and cultural expanse known as the American Midwest.

October 30, 2015 - The Urbanophile

Control Room

Technologies for Understanding Cities

Researchers are examining technologies that can aid in understanding many aspects of our cities, from how citizens interact in plan making, where residents use social media, and how to understand our changing communities.

October 29, 2015 - Jennifer Evans-Cowley

Poor Door

Op-Ed: Why Cities Need the 'Poor Door'

Drawing on a distinction between equality and equity, Rick Jacobus argues that so-called 'poor doors' are a necessary compromise to promote affordable housing and neighborhood integration.

October 29, 2015 - Rooflines

Newark and New York

Only 10 miles separate New York City and Newark, New Jersey, but the two can seem worlds apart. Damon Rich, who moved from New York in 2008 to lead Newark's planning office, speaks about how his work there has shaped his perception of both cities.

October 27, 2015 - Satellite Magazine

Car Bike Lane

Bicyclists and Sunday Drivers Clash in DC

To some, a protected bike lane saves lives; to others, it threatens the survival of a community.

October 27, 2015 - The Washington Post

Porchfest: Your Guide to a DIY Community-Building Good Time

Scott Doyon shares his thoughts on last week's Oakhurst Porchfest. Potentially useful for anyone looking to launch their own version.

October 27, 2015 - PlaceShakers

Equity Planning Offers Historic Context, Current Perspective

Under the leadership of Norman Krumholz, the city of Cleveland was positioned as a nationwide leader in equity planning. Krumholz, along with John Forester, eventually wrote the book "Making Equity Planning Work."

October 26, 2015 - Cleveland Scene

Peach Tree

Pittsburgh's Food Deserts

A map of Pittsburgh's food deserts illustrates a nationwide problem with food insecurity.

October 26, 2015 - Pittsburgh Post-Gazette

A Tale of Two Chelseas

The neighborhood of Chelsea in Manhattan, location of the High Line and one of the hottest real estate markets in the city, provides a case study of the wealth gap, with each side living in close proximity.

October 25, 2015 - The New York Times

MacArthur Park

Why Some BIDs Succeed Where Others Fail

An in-depth study of business improvement districts (BIDs) in two Los Angeles neighborhoods examines the factors behind their success or failure.

October 23, 2015 - Next City

Tokyo Pedestrians

The Walking City

What implications does pedestrian activity have on urban design? Creating walkable environments for pedestrians can improve urban conditions according to Arup architect Demetrio Scopelliti. We spoke to him about upcoming research on the topic.

October 22, 2015 - Doggerel

Pothole

Blaming Millennials for Decaying Road Infrastructure

If you thought inflation and fuel efficiency, along with politicians unwillingness to raise gas taxes were the main causes of America's decaying road and bridges, S&P adds another contributing factor—millennial transportation preferences.

October 22, 2015 - Marketwatch

Wild Detroit

The Motown Sound Came From Single-Family Homes

Would the Motor City have produced Motown without pianos in every living room?

October 22, 2015 - Urbanophile

Millennials

Millennials Can't Change U.S. Driving Habits Alone

Yonah Freemark throws cold water on the notion that the country is becoming less auto-dependent. Yes, millennials are less auto-oriented than older were, but they haven't stopped per-capita vehicle miles traveled from increasing.

October 21, 2015 - the transport politic

Minnesota History Center Exhibit Makes Room for Suburban Romance

"Suburbia," opening today at the new Minnesota History Center in St. Paul, allows a portrait of suburban living that goes well beyond the mundane. By redefining the history suburbia, the exhibit also tracks the contemporary evolution of suburbs.

October 17, 2015 - Minneapolis Star 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.