Social / Demographics
Should Planners Encourage Diverse Neighborhoods?
In an opinion piece for the Vancouver Sun, a trio of academics argue that, contrary to popular belief, socially mixed neighborhoods can be damaging to the supposed beneficiaries: low-income groups.
New York Department Becomes Model for Integrating and Empowering Immigrants
As cities across the Unites States look to lure immigrants to grow their populations and economies, many are turning to a program in New York for advice. Kirk Semple looks at the city's pioneering Office of Immigrant Affairs.
Top 10 City Scandals of 2013
As we bid farewell to 2013, here are the Top 10 scandals that cast a negative light on some global cities this past year.
U.S. Population Growth Slows to Lowest Rate in Seven Decades
New data released yesterday by the U.S. Census Bureau indicates that the country's population grew by only 2.3 million residents last year. Growth was strongest in the South and West, but North Dakota and D.C. saw the biggest percentage gains.
Planetizen's Most Popular Pieces of 2013
We're looking forward to another stimulating year of news, commentary, and professional development. But before the calendar turns to 2014, we wanted to take a look back at our most popular blog posts, exclusive articles, and news items from 2013.
Scientific Proof That Cars and Cities Just Don't Mix
A fascinating new study found that drivers perceive exactly the same things more negatively than those who walk, bike, or take transit. These findings have a few interesting implications.
Developers Bet that Micro Apartments Will Work in Smaller Cities
The relatively low cost of micro apartments in high rent cities such as N.Y. and San Francisco makes them a feasible alternative for singles, but will they attract millennials in smaller, lower-rent cities like Providence, Cleveland and Worcester?
Is Suburban Exploitation to Blame for Camden's Decline?
Are failing cities like Camden, New Jersey, to blame for their own downfall? Or are they the victims of a regional exploitation in which the suburbs foist their problems onto the nearest urban center?
Whole Foods as Gentrification Bellwether
Whole Foods' newest store in Gowanus, Brooklyn is causing local vendors and artists to tread "a fine line" between reaching new customers and supporting what they think of as new, "big" development.
Even Controlling For Poverty, Urban Places Are Thinner Than Suburbs
Poor neighborhoods tend to be fatter than rich ones, whether they are urban or suburban. However, poor urban areas tend to be thinner than poor suburban areas, and rich urban areas tend to be thinner than rich suburban areas.
Reaching the Limits of Passionate Defense: Time to Turn Back
Ben Brown confronts the politics of NO and finds -- spoiler alert(!) -- "to score, you need to shoot, and to shoot, you need the puck." Welcome to the waning days of Passionate D.
2013 Started a New Chapter in L.A.'s Story
Will 2013 be remembered as the year that Los Angeles embraced a new urban identity? Cultural, political, and planning and design-related events over the past year seem to suggest the city is experiencing "an urban reawakening".
Food Stamps and Place: New Cuts Could Dry Up Food Desert Improvements
Perhaps the only greater injustice than the existence of food deserts is a willing and unfeeling action to re-create them.
How to Predict the Next Hot Hood
The growing interest in city living is transforming urban neighborhoods throughout the United States. But how can one get in on the rising tide before becoming priced out? Charlie Wells provides some clues.
Families Aren't Leaving Cities, They're Just Getting Smaller
While there's no denying the fact that the number of children in many American cities has declined, it's untrue that urban life is incompatible with raising a family, or that families in cities are being replaced by singles and childless couples.
U.S. Census Bureau Launches New Interactive Mapping Tool
Christmas has come early for those who love to dig into Census data and interactive visualizations. The U.S. Census Bureau has launched a new interactive tool that maps eight statistics from the American Community Survey at the neighborhood level.
Could a Well-Placed "Nudge" Get People to Take the Stairs?
An innovative experiment in "environmental calorie labeling" is based on the idea that well-placed information on the benefits of specific physical activities will prompt people to choose healthier options.
Are We Designing the Wrong Solutions to America's Health Problems?
From encouraging physical activity to improving access to healthy food, planners and designers are increasingly tackling America's public health challenges. But what if cars, suburbs, and food deserts aren't to blame for our unhealthy lifestyles?
The Best Maps of 2013
GIS Lounge is back with its list of the "most interesting and best" maps of the year. This year's honorees make traffic flows come to life, track global bike share inventory, and visualize regional differences in American speech.
De Blasio Looks to Spread Progressive Message Beyond New York
While NYC's outgoing mayor looks to spread the gospel of his city-making success stories, the city's next mayor is already seeking allies from across the country to help solve some of the challenges overlooked by the current administration.
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.
Gallatin County Department of Planning & Community Development
Heyer Gruel & Associates PA
JM Goldson LLC
City of Camden Redevelopment Agency
City of Astoria
Transportation Research & Education Center (TREC) at Portland State University
Jefferson Parish Government
Camden Redevelopment Agency
City of Claremont
