Social / Demographics

Call for More Minority Architects

Reportedly, only 1.5% of architects are minorities--but while current black architects gain more respect, it is a good time to reach out to minority youth who might also want to go into architecture.

October 29, 2008 - The Boston Herald

Movement Within BC is Largely Away From Cities

There may be a trend of people moving toward cities globally, but a recent study has shown that when people move within the Canadian province of British Columbia, they move away from urban centers.

October 28, 2008 - BC Local News

Op-Ed: Russia's Health Crisis Belies Its Economic Success

Russia's economic transformation due to its oil wealth is well-known, but not so the state of its public health which shows an alarming contrasting picture.

October 28, 2008 - The New York Times

Security Cameras to Remain Secret in Toronto

Officials in Toronto have decided to keep secret the locations of 90 security cameras installed on public buildings. Residents and union officials are outraged.

October 27, 2008 - Toronto Sun

Income Gap in American Cities As Bad As African Cities

Income inequality in U.S. cities rivals that of many African cities, which struggle with deep divides between the haves and the have-nots, according to a recent report from the United Nations.

October 26, 2008 - Reuters

How to Make San Francisco More Sustainable

As part of its series on creating a sustainable future, the San Francisco Bay Guardian has outlined a list of steps for improving land use in the city, and argues that current plans from the mayor won't be enough.

October 25, 2008 - The San Francisco Bay Guardian

Homeless at the Mall

A reporter goes undercover as a homeless person to find out what happens when the indigent pay a visit to L.A.'s first corporate-controlled public park.

October 24, 2008 - LA Weekly

Social Inequity a 'Time Bomb' for U.S. Cities

The annual UN State of the World's Cities report contains a dire warning for American cities: racial divisions and social inequities are at alarming levels.

October 24, 2008 - Guardian (UK)

U.S. Has Third Greatest Income Inequality

October 23, 2008 - The Concord Monitor

Sprawl To Blame for Lack of Community Involvement

In central New Jersey, all the signs that usually indicate extensive community involvement are there: affluence, education, and diversity. But in reality, participation levels are low. A new study shows that sprawl may be the culprit.

October 21, 2008 - Princeton Packet

NIMBY Couple Fights Bus Route

This column looks at the NIMBY-minded attitude of one couple that has been fighting to prevent a bus line from coming into their neighborhood.

October 21, 2008 - The Toronto Star

Scranton, PA - Not What You Think!

In this election, Scranton has come to symbolize blue-collar America, with visits by all four national candidates, parodied on Saturday Night Live, as well as the scene of NBC’s The Office. But the city is in a turnaround after decades of decline.

October 20, 2008 - The Wall Street Journal

New Urbanism Means Never Having to Say You're Sorry

New Urban News reports that even as housing costs plummet and construction is halted on single-family homes across the country, traditional neighborhood developments and TODs are thriving.

October 19, 2008 - New Urban News

Which Cities Stretch Dollars The Farthest?

Texas cities top a ranking by Forbes of where your dollar goes the farthest. Affordable housing and promising job prospects made a big difference.

October 18, 2008 - Forbes

Camping in Public Parks Allowed in British Columbia

A supreme court judge in British Columbia has ruled that homeless people can legally camp on public property such as parks.

October 18, 2008 - The Province

'Housing That Works' Plan Announced

Los Angeles Mayor Antonio Villaraigosa has announced that within the next five years, $5 billion will go to funding 20,000 new affordable homes near public transportation.

October 16, 2008 - The Architect's Newspaper

Candidates Must Appeal to Cities, Suburbs

Tonight's presidential debate is the candidates' last chance to address respective suburban and urban issues.

October 15, 2008 - The New York Times

News Summary: Cities and the Financial Crisis

How is the financial crisis impacting urban planning and land use policy? Managing Editor Tim Halbur takes a look at some early indicators drawn from recent news headlines and conversations with planning professionals.

October 15, 2008 - Tim Halbur

Boston Burdened by Surge in Homelessness

Unlike many other states faced with the challenge of housing its homeless, Massachusetts is mandated by law to do so. Unfortunately, Massachusetts is also faced with budget shortfalls, making solutions elusive.

October 15, 2008 - NPR

Hospitals Flee Poor Areas

Unable to bear the financial burden of serving the community's poor, inner-city nonprofit hospitals have been shutting down while investing in suburban hospitals, where patients are more likely to be insured.

October 15, 2008 - The Wall Street Journal

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.