Social / Demographics

Where Are Baby Boomers Going to Spend Their Golden Years?

John K. McIlwain breaks down the recent explosion in the "65-or-better" population – and what it means for urban regions.

March 2, 2012 - Urban Land

Where Is China's Middle Class?

According to Nate Berg, they're not to be found in the country's new megacities. In an article for The Atlantic Cities, Berg discusses a recent paper analyzing the outdated law preventing China's growth and prosperity from trickling down.

March 1, 2012 - The Atlantic Cities

Housing: Fundamentals, Imbalance, and Solutions

Is the dream home for the New Era compact, connected and mortgage free?

February 29, 2012 - PlaceShakers

Mapping the Happiest States

Richard Florida reports on a new map showing the results of the Gallup-Healthways Well-Being Index, which analyzes a number of "happiness" factors on a statewide level.

February 28, 2012 - The Atlantic Cities

Using Public Art to Highlight Government Misdeeds

John Metcalfe profiles the work of Spanish art collective luzinterruptus, who have used public art pieces to highlight the failings of Spanish authorities, such as Madrid's dysfunctional drinking fountains.

February 28, 2012 - The Atlantic Cities

Top Planning Trends of 2011-2012

February 27, 2012 - Jonathan Nettler

The Hipster States of America

Writing from Austin, Texas, one of the current centers for hipster culture in the U.S., Lauren Modery proposes a list of the next cities she believes are ripe for an explosion of old-timey facial hair, geeky eyewear, and overall hipsterfication.

February 23, 2012 - CultureMap Austin

Conference Points to Place, Not Race, As Health Determinant

Lecturers call race a "surrogate" for socioeconomic factors that determine health outcomes, reports Beth Fitzgerald.

February 22, 2012 - NJ Spotlight

U.S. Population Growth Sags Despite Economic Upturn

The recession has taken its toll on U.S. population growth - both in babies born and immigration. While the recession officially ended June, 2009, growth rates continue to lag for the second consecutive year at .7%, the lowest since the Depression.

February 21, 2012 - USA Today

Encouraging Urban Retirement

As boomers retire at a rate of 10,000 per day, can they be discouraged from sprawling into suburbs and rural areas, where caring for them as they age can be more challenging?

February 20, 2012 - Salon.com

New York and London Square Off For Bragging Rights

In London last week, a good-natured debate took place between Boris Johnson, mayor of London, and New York City deputy mayors Howard Wolfson and Robert K. Steel for ultimate mega-city bragging rights.

February 19, 2012 - The Atlantic Cities

The New Skills Required for the New Economy

In response to recent emphasis by President Obama on strengthening the country's manufacturing sector as a key to economic recovery, Richard Florida sees knowledge-based jobs and new skills as the foundation for a new economic blueprint.

February 18, 2012 - The Atlantic Cities

What Do Pop-Up Shops and Homelessness Reveal About Urban Land Use?

On the land use spectrum, pop-up shops and homelessness operate at very different ends and from disparate positions of power. Ann Deslandes investigates the commonalities that bind them.

February 16, 2012 - The Global Urbanist

In Interactive Look at the Geography of Government Benefits

As the debate over the size and scope of federal and state governments heats up entering the 2012 election season, The New York Times presents a comprehensive look at how such services are currently dispersed across the country.

February 16, 2012 - The New York Times

Top Cities For Singles Revealed

Kiplinger has released its list of the ten best cities for singles and the results may surprise you.

February 13, 2012 - Kiplinger

Will a Liberated Workforce Still Need Cities?

Kaid Benfield investigates the rise of a more independent and nimble workforce, and ponders what the new economy means for the shape of cities as we enter an urban epoch

February 9, 2012 - Switchboard

Mastering the Art of Stairway Persuasion

A new study shows that a friendly reminder of the health benefits of taking the stairs can cause a sustainable increase in their use, writes Jeannine Stein.

February 7, 2012 - Los Angeles Times

The Obama Administration's Crusade for Homeowners

President Obama's multi-billion dollar proposal to help homeowners involves providing them refinanced, government-backed loans. The plan is not without its doubters, however.

February 7, 2012 - PBS NewsHour

Toward a More Inclusive Planning Process

Elizabeth Evitts Dickinson raises the issue that there are not enough minorities representing the communities that planners and designers strive to make better.

February 7, 2012 - Grist

Exhibit Seeks to Understand Japan's 'Metabolism' Architecture

The new exhibit at Toyko's Mori Art Museum will be the first architecture showcase since the 2011 earthquake, and displays a movement central to the country's history of building and rebuilding.

February 7, 2012 - The New York Times

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