Social / Demographics
Meet Mexico City's Pedestrian Protecting Superhero
Sarah Goodyear introduces us to Peatónito, the masked Lucha Libre inspired defender of pedestrians.
Sitting Is the New Smoking; Can Offices Adapt?
A presentation at this week's TED conference in Long Beach by business writer Nilofer Merchant explored the "quiet crisis of sore butts," and the sobering public health impacts, reports Ryan Tate.
New Report Challenges 'Eyes on the Street' Concept
In the fifty years since Jane Jacobs introduced the "eyes on the street" theory, it's become a commonly accepted conceit that a mix of use reduces crime. A new study calls that theory into question.
Ironies and Oddities of History's 'Future Cities'
Brady Dale provides a list of quirky trivia (taken from the new book "A History of Future Cities") about the forward-looking creation of four mega-cities: Shanghai, Bombay, St. Petersburg and Dubai.
The Importance of Making Cities Places of Belonging
Mumbai architect Pallavi Shrivastava reflects on the impact that the inaccessibility of the city has on the status of women in society and their ability to shape the future of the places in which they live.
Making Markets More Accessible to Low-Income Communities
The Project for Public Spaces (PPS) has released the results of a new study aimed at understanding how to "get more healthy food into...communities through farmers markets."
L.A. Looks to Land Use to Improve Public Health
The newest craze for improving the health of Angelenos isn't an all-liquid diet or a Brazilian exercise regimen; it's a new approach to land use regulation being championed by the County and City of Los Angeles.
Friday Funny: Map Madness
BuzzFeed has gathered 38 prime examples of "maps you never knew you needed." And while some are fascinating (such as how much space the world's population would take up if everyone lived in one city) others are just Ludacris.
How Communities Are Fighting Transportation Injustice
Transportation costs disproportionately effect low-income families, while federal transportation spending biases affluent drivers over lower-income mass transit riders. Activists are utilizing civil rights legislation to challenge the status quo.
The Evolving Science of Design
Researchers are beginning to understand how the human brain is hard-wired to respond to certain patterns, colors, and proportions. The result is "a revolution in the science of design," says Lance Hosey, and "most people...aren’t even aware of it."
Parks, in Need of a New Metaphor
Parks have long been likened to "the lungs of the city." But to better capture the totality of parks' role in our urban milieu a more apt metaphor is necessary.
Enliven Nightlife to Attract Millenials
Montgomery County wants to be the life of the party. To do so, it's establishing a special taskforce to boost its nighttime economy and attract millenials, reports Bill Turque.
Bred in Brooklyn, Hipsters Now Colonizing the Suburbs
Facing increasing property prices, Brooklyn's hipsters must decide whether to abandon their lifestyle and recreate it "upstate."
Play 'Name That Neighborhood'
Looking for a stimulating way to waste some time this afternoon? A new game from the inventive software developers at Code for America will test how well you know your city - down to the neighborhood.
To Combat Pedestrian Deaths, Shift Blame from the Victim
With many states witnessing a rise in pedestrian fatalities, David M Nelson asks: "Where is the public outcry to improve safety?" With pedestrians often blamed for such incidents, he argues new laws dealing with pedestrian-vehicle crashes are needed.
Planning for People
Instead of planning cities around shiny, tomorrowland dreams of our own invention, how about planning them around something we can count on: the needs of people! Complete with a groovy, vintage planning video mash-up.
Where to Find a Date for Tomorrow
Trulia has evaluated the ratios of men and women living alone in America's largest metros and neighborhoods to determine the best bets to find an available mate from the opposite sex. Guys, there's not much time to book your ticket to D.C....
Should Rio's Event-Oriented Investment Be Spread More Widely?
As Rio de Janiero prepares for the 2014 World Cup and 2016 Summer Olympics, the city is pursuing several "flagship urban renovation and transportation projects." Should this investment extend to the millions living in low-income bedroom communities?
Connections, Community, and the Science of Loneliness
Can urban form help address the loneliness that so often accompanies aging? In a new blog post, Hazel Borys examines some remedies for severed connections.
Is Bloomberg to Thank for New Yorkers' Increasing Life Expectancies?
New Yorkers can expect to live eight years longer than they could just 20 years ago. Do Mayor Bloomberg's policies and initiatives deserve some credit? A mounting body of evidence ties urban form to human health.
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.
City of Clovis
City of Moorpark
City of Camden Redevelopment Agency
City of Astoria
Transportation Research & Education Center (TREC) at Portland State University
Regional Transportation Commission of Southern Nevada
Toledo-Lucas County Plan Commissions
