Social / Demographics

Rural County Population Nearly Doubled in Less Than a Decade

With a growth rate of more than 75% over the last seven years, Kendall County, Illinois, is changing fast and the local farming community is struggling to adapt.

March 21, 2008 - The Associated Press

Is Planning to Blame for Violence?

After a recent shooting death in Toronto, one writer lays the blame for urban violence on city planners.

March 19, 2008 - The National Post

Thinking About Smart Growth in Montana

Gallatin County, Montana, has experienced 20 percent population growth over the last eight years, and officials are hoping that the adoption of smart growth principles will help guide the rapidly developing area towards a sustainable future.

March 18, 2008 - Bozeman Daily Chronicle

Creatives Kicked Out By Vancouver Condo Boom

Condos are booming in Vancouver, and as a result the city's young creatives are being squeezed out.

March 18, 2008 - The Globe & Mail

The St. Patrick's Day River

As part of its yearly tradition, officials in Chicago have dyed the Chicago River green to celebrate St. Patrick's Day.

March 17, 2008 - The Chicago Tribune

After Bus Shutdown, City Considers Mass Carpooling

Residents in the small town of Qualicum Beach on Vancouver Island are starting a citywide carpooling program to help provide for people without cars after the city's underused public transit system was shut down.

March 17, 2008 - The Vancouver Sun

Global Impacts on Downtowns

This report from Progressive Urban Management Associates outlines the ten trends that will impact downtowns over the next two decades.

March 17, 2008 - Downtown Idea Exchange

Canada's Top Crime Cities

With their high concentrations of marginalized Aboriginal residents, the Canadian prairie cities of Saskatoon, Regina and Winnipeg are ranked the top 3 most "dangerous" cities in the country in the latest Macleans Magazine survey.

March 16, 2008 - Macleans

The Regional Approach to Fighting Poverty

This article from the Albany Times Union looks at the importance of using a regional approach to addressing poverty, crime and inner city blight.

March 15, 2008 - Albany Times Union

Developing Cities Face Major Growth, Pollution Issues

The mega cities of the developing world are expected to experience increasing rates of growth in the coming decades. The growth in population will be a challenge, but so will be dealing with the increase in air pollution.

March 13, 2008 - CNN

Prince's Foundation Hopes to Salvage Kingston Ghetto

Crippling violence and dangerous streets in the Rose Town area of Kingston, Jamaica, have motivated Prince Charles to bring his Foundation for Architecture and Urbanism to the island ghetto to attempt a rebirth.

March 12, 2008 - The Guardian

Key West's Main Drag?

Residents and public officials are calling on merchants to clean up Duval Street in Key West, Florida. Long considered the city's economic engine, the opposition believes some of the questionable quirkiness give the street and the city its character.

March 12, 2008 - The Miami Herald

In The Ghetto

"Slum tourism" is on the rise in developing countries around the world. Some say the tours help the affluent understand the dire situations faced by the world's poor, but others say it's just a way to help Westerners feel good about themselves.

March 11, 2008 - The New York Times

How Will Changing Cities React?

Cities are undergoing major changes in terms of demographics and development patterns. How cities will react to these changes remains up in the air.

March 11, 2008 - The Guardian

Clamoring for Urbanity in Waco

Proposed housing developments in the urban core of Waco, Texas, have given many in the city high hopes for a denser, more vibrant central city.

March 11, 2008 - The Waco Tribune

Neighborhood's Unchecked Facelift Highlights Poor Planning

Poor planning is allowing uncontrolled and rapid gentrification to destroy Toronto's Liberty Village neighborhood, according to this article from The Toronto Star.

March 11, 2008 - The Toronto Star

The Full Extent of An Urbanizing Population

The urban shift in demographics is not just a problem for planners.

March 10, 2008 - Business Week

The Developing Role of Charrettes

This episode of Smart City includes a discussion about charrettes with Bill Lennertz of the National Charrette Institute.

March 10, 2008 - Smart City

Adaptive Reuse: Historic Courthouse To Charter School

The 93-year old Bronx Borough Courthouse will soon become a charter school.

March 9, 2008 - The New York Times

Immigrants Feeling Push of Gentrification

Gentrification of one of Vancouver's low-cost neighborhoods in pushing immigrant populations out of the city.

March 7, 2008 - The Vancouver Sun

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.