Social / Demographics

Examining the Surprising Segregation of New York City

The common perception of New York City is as of a well-integrated city, full of multi-ethnic neighborhoods. But a recent article peeks behind the curtain of the city’s surprising boundaries of racial segregation.

April 15, 2014 - City Notes

Young Driver

Unprecedented Demographic Trends Define the 'Next America'

The Paul Taylor and the Pew Research Center have released a new book called The Next America, which describes a country in the “throes of a demographic overhaul.”

April 15, 2014 - Pew Research Center

Growth Slowing in Washington D.C.

After a decade of incredible growth, a tightening job market has finally slowed the domestic migration into Washington D.C.

April 14, 2014 - Washington Post

High Line park NYC - Manhattan - New York City

The High Line as Symbol of 'Severe Economic Inequality'

A recent article in Salon cites the High Line as perhaps the most conspicuous example of how municipal governments are subsidizing wealthy corporate or private interests while many citizens continue to suffer low wages and benefits.

April 14, 2014 - Salon

Nightlife in Tel Aviv

(*Updated) Study Finds Fewer Young Adults Moving into Cities than Moving Away

An article on the Metro Trends Blog finds that data do not support the common narrative that young people are moving to cities in huge numbers. Most cities, according to the study, lost more adults aged 20-35 than they gained between 2000 and 2012.

April 13, 2014 - Metro Trends

How Do Neighborhoods Become Wealthy?

A new study by the Federal Reserve Bank of Cleveland examines a “troubling consistency” of neighborhoods—that is that over the past 30 years, the poorest neighborhoods have stayed that way.

April 11, 2014 - The Washington Post - Wonkblog

Home For Sale Signs

More Thoughts On The Realtors' Survey

In addition to revealing public preferences for single-family homes and walkable communities, a recent survey conducted for the National Association of Realtors contains a variety of other small surprises.

April 10, 2014 - Michael Lewyn

What Does Citi Bike Data Reveal About New York City?

A website called I Quant NY has produced a string of posts examining recent ridership data released by Citi Bike. The visualizations and maps produced by the site make a good case for the value of open data.

April 9, 2014 - I Quant NY

My Kid, the Wikipedia Entry

If you want to be profiled in Wikipedia, it is better to be born in an urban place.

April 9, 2014 - Better! Cities & Towns

Optimism Indicator: Record Number of Building Permits in Philadelphia

Observers of Philadelphia’s economic and social situation can celebrate, and worry, given recent data on issues like poverty, crime, and the job market. One bright spot, however, is 2013's record number of building permits.

April 7, 2014 - philly.com

Google Bus Opponents Lose CEQA Appeal

Yes—that's right: fervent opponents of Google (et.al) buses tried to use California's environmental law to get them off the streets of San Francisco—which would lead to tech employees driving their own vehicles to Silicon Valley.

April 3, 2014 - San Francisco Chronicle

New Study Tests Assumptions About Housing Vouchers and Crime

A new paper published in the Urban Studies journal finds a weak, negative relationship between vouchers and violent crime rates. There is no observable relationship between vouchers and violent crime rates in suburban areas.

March 31, 2014 - Urban Studies

Proposed Transit Fare Increase Provokes Strong Opposition in Los Angeles

More than 500 “activists, students and low-wage workers” spent their Saturday at a public hearing at the Los Angeles County Metropolitan Transportation Authority imploring the agency’s board not to raise fees.

March 31, 2014 - Los Angeles Times

Metro Areas Dominate National Population Growth

New Census data describes the country’s movement toward large metropolitan areas. Following the recent population growth in cities like Houston and New York, nearly one in three Americans reside in the country’s ten most populated cities.

March 31, 2014 - The Washington Post - Wonkblog

Amsterdam Bikes

Can Biking Be for Everyone?

Most bikers are white and have a college degree. A recent article examines the Baltimore Bike Experience as an example of the types of programs that could expand the use of biking into other parts of the city, among other benefits.

March 29, 2014 - Governing

Lost Our Home

Which Cities Segregate Poverty Most Completely?

For the second installment in a five-part series on economic segregation in U.S. metros, Richard Florida examines the cities where poverty stays most hidden from "everyone else."

March 28, 2014 - Atlantic Cities

Young Planners

A Call for a Youth Movement in the Planning Process

Most millennials and Gen Xers are either too busy or too disengaged to realize how the future of their hometowns is being shaped by people much older than they.

March 27, 2014 - Vancouver Sun

Commuter Taxes: An Untapped Revenue Source?

For all those cities that double population during the work day, here's a revenue thought to consider. But why restrict it to in-bound commuters? What about residents who commute-out of the city? Is the commuter tax a legitimate revenue source?

March 26, 2014 - Governing

What Do Urban Trends Mean for Banks?

A recent article describes the context of urbanization around the country before examining the implications of the trend for the decisions made by bankers—i.e., where and how to invest—especially given the realities of the post-recession economy.

March 25, 2014 - American Banker

The Mercados Project: Lessons for the Revival of Markets

Historically, central markets served as grand social and commercial hubs for U.S. cities. A period of 20th century decline interrupted the evolution of markets, but creative and diverse examples have precipitated a recovery around the country.

March 25, 2014 - The Street Plans Collaborative

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.