Social / Demographics

A new Gallup poll asks respondents whether they'd expect a lost wallet to be returned. The results indicate that trust in neighbors and well-being go hand-in-hand.

November 4, 2009 - Gallup

This piece from The New York Times looks at the role of private gardens and public-facing landscaping in the city of Baghdad.

November 3, 2009 - The New York Times

The ongoing trial of a California driver who allegedly injured two cyclists on purpose has become a rallying point for cyclists around the country, who are hoping the verdict elicits greater respect to cyclists from motorists.

November 3, 2009 - Los Angeles Times

A recent study of health insurance costs finds that people who live in suburban areas outside of Chicago pay less for health insurance than those who live in the urban core.

November 3, 2009 - Chicago Sun-Times

This animation from The New York Times examines the history of Midtown Manhattan -- from pristine island environment to bustling metropolis.

October 31, 2009 - The New York Times

Community Cycling Center is working to close the racial gap in Portland's cycling community.

October 30, 2009 - BikePortland.org

The Watford Borough Council has voted that parents cannot play with their own children in local playgrounds because they haven't had a criminal background check.

October 29, 2009 - The Telegraph U.K.

Forbes Magazine jumps into the fray once again with their list of "America's Safest Cities." Violent crime, workplace deaths, fatal crashes and natural disasters are all a part of the data considered.

October 28, 2009 - Forbes

American cities are struggling to figure out how to transition formerly industrial areas to become vibrant and successful parts of the city once again. Neal Peirce says they should look to Barcelona, which accomplished it ten years ago.

October 26, 2009 - Citiwire

This piece from Urban Omnibus looks at a collaborative effort in New York City to get immigrant populations better engaged in the city's public parks.

October 18, 2009 - Urban Omnibus

Maine mill town asks citizens to record their memories at downtown "Heart Spots" as part of the master planning process.

October 18, 2009 - The Journal Tribune

Michigan's one-year experiment in giving local mayors and township supervisors the option to appoint someone less than 18 years-of-age to a planning commission appears to be coming to an abrupt end.

October 17, 2009 - Building Place Notebook

New communication and interaction technologies are dramatically changing the way the public understands and participates in government. The emerging openness of data and information at the city level is broadening the urban policy conversation, but challenges and questions lie ahead as the open city develops.

October 15, 2009 - Nate Berg

Portland, Oregon is half-way through its ten-year plan to address homelessness. The city's seen improvements, but many challenges lie ahead, according to this report.

October 15, 2009 - Oregon Public Broadcasting

The U.S. Military are on the verge of releasing its new air fighter, the F-35, and about 200 U.S. bases are under consideration to house them. The new planes are three to 12 times louder than existing planes, which has some base neighbors on edge.

October 15, 2009 - NPR

Megan Lavalley may be the youngest planning commissioner ever, appointed to serve in Manchester, Vermont beginning Oct. 22nd.

October 14, 2009 - The Manchester Journal

The high amount of foreclosures is expected to make things tougher for Census officials as they prepare for 2010 Census enumeration.

October 14, 2009 - The Associated Press

Joel Kotkin sees a trend in a 'New Localism'- people aren't moving around like they used to, and it's causing them to reengage with their communities.

October 13, 2009 - Newsweek

Community activists are calling for a ban on new convenience stores in South Los Angeles, a lower income part of town that saw a ban on new fast food restaurants last year.

October 13, 2009 - The Los Angeles Times

Richard Florida takes a look at a recent report showing connecting solo commuters with location and comes up with an interesting demographic breakdown.

October 11, 2009 - Atlantic Monthly