Social / Demographics

How to Strengthen New York City's Middle Class

David Giles explains the economic extremes that now characterize New York City and offers four suggestions on how to retain and strengthen its middle class.

February 12, 2009 - City Limits

Vermont's Farms Cropping Up, Diversifying

The spike in farms can be seen statewide. They are more diverse than they used to be, and probably a response from young people who "want to know where their foods comes from" and have taken direct action.

February 12, 2009 - Brattleboro Reformer

With Higher Densities Come Smaller Footprints

This article's author reports his and economist Matthew Kahn's recent findings on metropolitan areas and carbon emissions. As it turns out, living in a high density area is one of the best things one can do for the environment.

February 12, 2009 - The DC Examiner

My City's More Man Than Yours

It may come as little surprise to some that the tech-heavy city of San Jose has more males than females. But in other parts of the Silicon Valley, just the opposite is true.

February 12, 2009 - San Jose Mercury News

Population Growth Still An Issue

Population growth, and its impact on land use, should not be overlooked, argues environmental writer John Feeney, who's set up a conference of scientists to examine the issue. This article looks at how population growth is affecting Oregon.

February 12, 2009 - The Oregonian

Do You Live in a Miserable City?

The latest Forbes Misery Index sees a number of changes in the roster, with housing bust "ground zero" Stockton California at the "top" of the list.

February 11, 2009 - ABC News

The Model Slum

According to Prince Charles, Dharavi, the slum featured in 'Slumdog Millionaire,' should be considered a model for the rest of the developing world.

February 11, 2009 - The Guardian

Broken Windows Theory Passes the Test

To conduct a real life experiment with the theory, 17 of Lowell, MA's crime "hot spots" were cleaned up while another 17 were left alone. Researchers found a 20% dip in crime where conditions were improved.

February 11, 2009 - The Boston Globe

SF a Model for Casual Carpooling

"Casual carpooling," an informal system involving commuting with complete strangers, has taken off in the Bay Area. Passengers and drivers cite money, time, and the environment for its success.

February 11, 2009 - GOOD Magazine

Going After Graffiti

The city of San Marcos, Texas, near Austin, plans harsher measures to crack down on graffiti, including holding a minor's parents responsible and banning certain graffiti-making tools.

February 10, 2009 - Austin American-Statesman

Predicting the Future of U.S. Suburbs

No drastic changes will occur in American suburbs over the next quarter century, Columbia University professor contends.

February 9, 2009 - Edward J. Bloustein School of Planning and Public Policy--Rutgers

New York City's Fleeting Middle Class, Broken Down

A new study shows that New York City is losing is middle class, and quick. However, says one planner, the findings, though detailed, don't give the big picture.

February 6, 2009 - Crain's New York Business

Study Finds Quality of Life Undamaged by Wal-Mart

The arrival of a town's new Wal-Mart is notorious for being detrimental to the community. But when it comes to social capital, obesity, leisure time, and social and political values, Wal-Mart might not be so bad after all, according to one study.

February 6, 2009 - Miller-McCune

NY's Middle Class Still Exists

Maybe they're not in Manhattan, but Queens and Brooklyn are still home to much of New York's diverse middle class. And although facing some economic stress, they're not likely to go anywhere soon, according to Joel Kotkin.

February 4, 2009 - New Geography

'Nonconforming Urbanism' the New Face of Density

Architect Teddy Cruz examines the south-north flow of "nonconforming urbanism" in the Tijuana-San Diego region, and how changing communities in this dynamic area could shape the way we think about increasing density.

February 4, 2009 - The Nation

With No Jobs, China's Rural Exodus Retracting

More than 20 million Chinese who had migrated to cities for work have been forced to return to the rural countryside as urban jobs dry up.

February 3, 2009 - Guardian

Half of Americans Want to Move

Nearly half of Americans want to move to a different part of the country, according to a new survey. Denver and San Diego rated as the most desirable cities to relocate to.

February 1, 2009 - USA Today

Grassroots Tour Organizers Knock Down "Environmental Racism"

An organization in Chicago's Little Village gives tours to educate its Mexican-American residents on how they can improve their notoriously polluted community. Grassroots efforts like this are being lauded by environmental justice groups.

January 30, 2009 - Chicago Tribune

Global Warming Slips In Public's Consciousness

Global warming has slipped precipitously in the public's mind as a top concern, as the nation's recession took the number one slot in a Pew Research Center telephone poll. In fact, it ranked last in a list of 20 issues, yet 'energy' was #6.

January 29, 2009 - The New York Times

USDA Loans Push Rural Housing

A little-known USDA program offers Rural Development Guaranteed Loans, which would allow low-income residents to buy homes in "rural" areas--places with fewer than 25,000 people. Under this guideline, many suburbs in Phoenix qualify.

January 29, 2009 - NPR

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.