Social / Demographics

U.S. Cities Fare Poorly in World Livability Ranking

In terms of global urban livability, American cities are not so hot. The highest ranking city, Honolulu, comes in at 29 in the results of the Worldwide Quality of Living Survey.

May 5, 2009 - The Independent

DOT and HUD, Together Again

DOT and HUD announce a joint effort to merge land use and planning to improve livability. CNU's John Norquist comments on the merger.

May 2, 2009 - New Urban News

Oregon Eyes a Tight Water Future

The municipal demand for water in Oregon is expected to increase by more than 61% by 2050, and many policymakers there are trying to figure out how to meet that growing demand.

April 28, 2009 - The Oregonian

Americans Moving Less Amid Recession

Fewer Americans moved over the past year than any other year since 1962, according to the U.S. Census Bureau.

April 27, 2009 - The New York Times

The Rise and Fall of an Arizona Exurb

This article from High Country News dissects the Arizona real estate collapse through the lens of one exurb.

April 26, 2009 - High Country News

Downtown Bar Culture to Blame for Beatings?

Iowa City's planning commission says yes, and is considering mandating that future bars and liquor stores be more spread out to stop a recent rash of violence in the area.

April 24, 2009 - The Washington Post

Affordable Mortgage Plan a Flop, Says Frank

The Hope for Homeowners Act was designed to allow foreclosed homeowners to keep their homes by drawing up new and more affordable mortgages for qualified applicants. Barney Frank is one of many proclaiming it a failure.

April 22, 2009 - NPR

Getting Creative with Blight

Encouraging the creative class to rent and eventually own in foreclosed neighborhoods revives blighted neighborhoods, but the strategy isn't without controversy or setbacks.

April 22, 2009 - The Wall Street Journal

Amenities Key to Walking, Fitness

People who live within walking distance of amenities like stores, transit stops, and parks are twice as likely to be fit as those who don't, according to a new study conducted by researchers at San Diego State University.

April 20, 2009 - Gant Daily

Food Truck Delivers Local Opportunities

A new community program in Rotterdam is bringing a food truck with new eating options -- and business opportunities -- to working class neighborhoods.

April 18, 2009 - Metropolis

Census Officials Concerned as Group Urges Migrant Boycott

As a bargaining chip to encourage federal immigration reform, a religious group is calling on undocumented migrant workers to boycott the upcoming U.S. Census. Officials say such a boycott could hurt many cities.

April 17, 2009 - USA Today

Urban Gardening and Quality of Life

According to this article, community gardens can reinvent struggling neighborhoods by causing its residents to "band together."

April 16, 2009 - Chicago Tribune

Walkability Around Schools Dwindling

As more parents drive their kids to school, areas around campuses have become increasingly dangerous for pedestrians. Narrow sidewalks and too-few crosswalks are partly to blame.

April 16, 2009 - The New York Times

City Critique in Manhattan

This post features highlights from "Urbanisms Inc.," a forum on urban theory in New York City that took place on March 30.

April 15, 2009 - The New York Times City Room Blog

Hooking Up Gardeners and Backyards

Wait times for a plot of land in one of Santa Monica's community gardens have grown so long that officials are instituting a new program to connect gardeners with homeowners willing to share their backyards.

April 14, 2009 - Los Angeles Times

Health and Human Services Hit Hard in San Francisco

The recession is causing San Francisco to tighten its belt. Budget cuts are falling heavily on the city's health and human services.

April 13, 2009 - The Christian Science Monitor

Bemoaning San Francisco's Corporate Street Closures

San Francisco's got a number of temporary street closures planned this year. Though the prospect of these pedestrian-friendly events is seen as a good sign for the city, this piece argues that their emphasis on corporate sponsorship taints the value.

April 12, 2009 - San Francisco Bay Guardian

Providence's New 'Brand' Not Needed

Providence, Rhode Island, is rebranding itself as the "Creative Capital." This op-ed argues the city doesn't need a brand, rather it needs to return to the aesthetic values that made it beautiful and successful in the '90s.

April 12, 2009 - The Providence Journal

Prefab for Vancouver's Homeless

The city council of Vancouver is supporting the creation of 550 temporary homes, including some prefab, to house the area's homeless.

April 11, 2009 - The Vancouver Sun

Unincorporated Area Residents Fight City Control

Members of a citizen group in Bull Mountain, an incorporated area in Washington County, Oregon, are at odds with an agreement that would allow cities to provide all urban services and dictate urban growth boundaries.

April 11, 2009 - The Times

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.

Senior Planner

planning NEXT

Home and Land Services Coordinator

Appalachian Highlands Housing Partners

Associate/Senior Planner

Gallatin County Department of Planning & Community Development

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.