Social / Demographics

The Science Behind Bike-Share Placement In NYC

The Atlantic examines the factors that create a successfully implemented bike sharing program, based on current plans scheduled to be implemented on New York streets by next summer.

October 11, 2011 - The Atlantic

Bicycling in the City is Good for You, Despite Air Pollution

A recent study shows that bicyclists absorb more carbon soot in their lungs than pedestrians or drivers. But new reports argue that the benefits of the exercise far outweigh the downsides.

October 10, 2011 - Twin Cities Daily Planet

What! A Subway Entrance On Our Street?!

Plans by the MTA to renovate the 68th St. Station on the Lexington Ave. station received an angry reception from upper East Siders, some of whom said the justification for the renovation, the American with Disabilities Act, was a "charade."

October 7, 2011 - New York Post

Coloradans are Least Obese, But Still Gaining Weight

Colorado has been heralded as the trimmest state in the country, but NPR reports that residents' weight is still on the rise.

October 7, 2011 - NPR

Habitat for Humanity Releases Disaster Planning Report

Drawing examples from a vast supply of disasters in recent years, this 30-page report emphasizes planning and policy for not just housing, but also land tenure and community input, with long-term perspectives.

October 7, 2011 - Habitat for Humanity

A Place for "Potentially Offensive Place Names"

What's in a name? Apparently, reports Kim Severson, some not-so-subtle reminders of a segregated American landscape. And changing them is not easy."The United States Board on Geographic Names, the federal agency that maintains the official names of m

October 7, 2011 - The New York Times

Local Workers Hard to Come By in Colorado

Farmers face more uncertainty, as costs of labor increases and reliability decreases.

October 6, 2011 - The New York Times

Beach Cities Changing Tide Toward a Healthy Future

Manhattan Beach, Redondo Beach and Hermosa Beach are trying to transform homes, workplaces, and schools to improve public health, writes Anna Gorman for the Los Angeles Times.

October 5, 2011 - Los Angeles Times

The Most Dangerous Cities in the United States

While many stories have been written about Detroit's turnaround, it took the top spot on Forbes list of most dangerous cities. Detroit had 1,111 violent crimes reported per 100,000 residents, which included 345 murders, writes John Giuffo.

October 5, 2011 - Forbes

Miami's Burgeoning Downtown Art Scene

Mera Rubell, one of America's premier art collectors, explains to Richard Florida why she loves collecting her art in Miami, and which is the best American City for artists.

October 5, 2011 - The Atlantic

Take a Tour of the Revitalized South Bronx

In this article and accompanying video, architecture critic Michael Kimmelman and Planning Commissioner Amanda Burden tour the Melrose section of the South Bronx. Along the way, affordability and density are apparent hallmarks of the undertaking.

October 5, 2011 - The New York Times

How Low Can India's Poverty Line Go?

Social activists have reacted sharply to the Indian Planning Commission's report that 25 rupees (50 cents) and 31 rupees a day is sufficient for people in rural and urban areas, respectively. Jyoti Malhotra reports on the ongoing debate.

October 2, 2011 - India Real Time (Wall Street Journal)

The "Suburbanization of Poverty" is a Decades-Long Trend

The current observation is that the urban poor are moving to the suburbs. Alon Levy says that this is nothing new, and the current effects of such movement is in fact just the "tipping point" of what's been happening for the last 50 years.

October 2, 2011 - Pedestrian Observations

Across the Freeway, Hesitation Toward Proposed L.A. Stadium

Yes, there will be jobs, and safety has improved since downtown revitalization efforts began over a decade ago. But Pico-Union residents are feeling routinely excluded--and shortchanged--when it comes to decisionmaking.

October 1, 2011 - Los Angeles Times

Nine Ideas to Boost Cycling in London

This Big City readers offer their ideas, from infrastructure-related to marketing, to encourage cycling among more casual riders in London.

September 30, 2011 - This Big City

Could Growth In Urban Cores Remedy Problematic Gentrification?

The argument that increased supply of urban housing will lower prices is rapidly being disproved by successive waves of gentrification throughout American cities. Stephen Smith offers a considered analysis of the economics behind this dynamic.

September 29, 2011 - Forbes

India's Urban Population Forecasted To Double In The Next Twenty Years

The UN released new demographic projections Thursday that forecast India's urban population will more than double in the next thirty years. UN Under Secretary General Joan Clos said there is an urgent need to discuss urban issues in response.

September 29, 2011 - India Current Affairs

Austin Releases An All Encompassing New 30 Year Plan

The city of Austin has released a new 197 page planning document to manage its population growth and inform planning decisions for the next three decades.

September 29, 2011 - American Statesman

New West Hollywood Library At The Fore Of L.A. Civic Architecture

West Hollywood's new library returns to the California Mid-Century tradition with floor to ceiling glass windows providing plenty of natural light, and a walkable link to Santa Monica boulevard a new park signals a new civic focus.

September 29, 2011 - Los Angeles Times

Is a Vibrant City Best Measured at Night?

Chuck Wolfe asks if a city's vitality is best indicated at night, and how it should be measured.

September 28, 2011 - myurbanist

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.