Social / Demographics

Public Transit Use Continues to Rise

The American Public Transportation Association has released a new report showing that more people nationwide are taking buses and trains. Amid high has prices, young students and struggling families are being credited with the jump.

December 11, 2012 - The Los Angeles Times

Young Adults are Finally Leaving the Nest

The improving job market and low mortgage rates have enabled more adults in their 20s and early 30s to move into their own apartments and to buy homes, which, says Don Lee, could boost the nation's broader economic recovery.

December 11, 2012 - The Los Angeles Times

Last of the color coding

Top 10 Books - 2013

Planetizen is pleased to release its eleventh annual list of the ten best books in urban planning, design and development published in 2012.

December 10, 2012 - Abhijeet Chavan

Mapping the Leaders of Public Interest Design

For its inaugural list of the "Public Interest Design 100," PublicInterestDesign.org and research partner the University of Minnesota College of Design have identified the key figures leading the convergence of design and service.

December 10, 2012 - Architizer

Traditional Cities and Towns: Incubators of Incompetent Children

With tongue firmly in cheek, Scott Doyon asks urban dwellers, "Are your enviable surroundings crippling the children?"

December 9, 2012 - PlaceShakers

Santa Cruz cargo bike ride

Bicyclists, Not Drivers, are the Better Consumers

Familiar with the perception that bicyclists are generally kids with no money and too much time? Emily Badger discusses the findings of a study that shows riders out-consume drivers over the course of a month for all businesses except grocery stores.

December 7, 2012 - The Atlantic Cities

Re-imagining the Fiscal Architecture of Our Cities

For Michael A. Pagano, local municipalities went awry in designing fiscal systems during the 20th century by fabricating what he refers to as “a crazy quilt of local revenue.” He proposes some possibilities for getting cities back on track.

December 6, 2012 - The Atlantic Cities

Millennials: They Came, They Saw... They Stayed?

According to Haya El Nasser, cities across America have succeeded in attracting young professionals for over a decade. “They came, they played, they stayed,” she writes. But, she asks, will these Millennials stick around as they age and have kids?

December 5, 2012 - USA Today

Rockaways

How Robert Moses Put NYC's Poor in Sandy's Path

Recently a destination for luxury development, New York's waterfront has historically been home to the city's poor. When Sandy inundated these vulnerable populations, it "looked like a perverse stroke of urban planning," writes Jonathan Mahler.

December 4, 2012 - The New York Times

Do You Walmart?

Saying "no" to Walmart does not remove the wants and needs they exist to serve. If you want a more locally-oriented community, you need a more local-friendly system, says Scott Doyon.

December 4, 2012 - PlaceShakers

Extra, Extra: LA Has a Dense Urban Center

Award-winning research conducted by University of Southern California graduate Samuel Krueger shows that Los Angeles really does have a gooey chocolate - whoops...dense, urban center.

December 3, 2012 - LA Weekly

Pew Research Reports U.S. Baby Bust

The U.S. birth rate is now at the lowest recorded level ever - or at least since record-keeping began in 1920. Births were increasing but plunged after the 2007 recession. The biggest decrease is among immigrant groups, particularly Mexican women.

December 3, 2012 - Pew Research Center

Looking for the Good in Global Warming

Sick of reading about all the work that must be done to slow and mitigate the impact of global warming? A growing number of scientists are investigating how to "make climate change work for us."

December 1, 2012 - The New York Times

Builders Respond to Desire for Multigenerational Homes

The new American household is much like the old multigenerational household that existed before World War II, recent population trends show. And builders are responding by offering "bonus" and "flex" rooms, while circumventing outdated zoning.

November 30, 2012 - The New York Times

What's More Dangerous - Cycling or Watching TV?

As Britain confronts the silent epidemic of inactivity and obesity, Peter Walker examines how the invisible dangers of a sedentary lifestyle are compared to the more publicized risk of injury from activities designed to get people moving.

November 30, 2012 - The Guardian

World population

High Density Means More Economic Growth and More Happiness, Too

Using new analysis of recent US Census data, Richard Florida demonstrates that “[c]ities and regions where density is more concentrated near their urban cores — appear to gain the biggest economic advantage.” That, and a tad more happiness.

November 30, 2012 - The Atlantic Cities

How TODs Fared Through the Housing Crash

Transit-oriented developments multiplied and held their values comparatively well in the housing crisis. In this article, Josh Stephens explores whether the trend will continue post-recession, or if sprawl is poised for a comeback.

November 28, 2012 - InTransition Magazine

Making Bike-Share Accessible to the 99 Percent

In cities across America, municipal bike-share systems have had a hard time reaching low-income and minority populations. As Chicago plans its new system for next year's launch, the city is developing measures to broaden the demographics of cycling.

November 27, 2012 - Grid Chicago

Granny

Granny Pods Land in Virginia Backyards

No, this isn't a story about alien invaders, but rather an innovative form of housing that may revolutionize how aging Americans spend their final years.

November 27, 2012 - The Washington Post

Can Electric Cars Break Out of Niche Market?

Are you an environmentally aware, well educated, upper-middle class white man in your early 50s with a garage equipped with an electric outlet? If so, you meet the demographic to buy an electric vehicle. And that may be the EV's only potential group.

November 27, 2012 - USA Today

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.