Social / Demographics
Rules Limiting Activities In Public Spaces Target Homeless
Broad regulations have been approved in Berkeley, California, that would ban certain activities in public spaces, such as laying on the ground and urinating. This set of rules seeks to impose greater control over the city's homeless population.
Is A Sheltered Suburban Childhood Good For Kids?
Parents who grew up in the city but raised their children in the suburbs wonder if they made the right choice.
Growing Old In The Suburbs
A new report from the Brookings Institution shows that suburbs are aging faster than cities -- and may signal a desire by seniors to stay put in their suburban communities.
TODs Prove To Be A Boon For Urban Regions
In this special report, the WSJ examines the growing popularity of rail-based TODs, examining their effect on land values as well as the challenges they may face in obtaining approval.
Book That Examines Suburban Lifestyle Inspires Life Changes
The book, "Death by Suburb: How to Keep the Suburbs from Killing Your Soul" is making the rounds among church congregations who find meaning in its message.
Transportation Costs Undermine Atlanta's 'Affordable' Label
Metro Atlanta ranked as the second costliest area to live in the U.S. for working families after the region's sky-high transportation costs were considered along with housing costs.
Making Housing Work For Grandparents And Grandchildren
With more and more grandparent raising their grandchildren nationally, developers are responding to the demand for housing that can accommodate both age groups and provide the specialized services each needs.
Smart Growth Leaders Still Living Low Density American Dream
While encouraging the city's residents to embrace higher densities and public transit, many of Los Angeles's smart growth advocates live in single family homes and commute long distances in cars.
Olympic Games Cause Of Major Displacement, Says Rights Group
A human rights group has accused the Chinese Government of forcing 1.5 million residents from their homes in preparation for the 2008 Olympic Games in Beijing -- the latest in a continuing saga of displacement in former host cities.
Atlanta's Murder Rate Spikes By 22 Percent
Assaults and property crimes are also up in 2006, according to recently released FBI data. City officials are hoping the increase is a one-time occurrence, and not a trend that could endanger its ongoing urban revitalization efforts.
More Kids Not Allowed To Go Out And Play
Fewer and fewer parents are allowing their children to leave the house unattended. Citing safety concerns, nearly half of parents prefer to keep their kids home.
High Density For The Dead
Space for the dead is an increasingly tight commodity in England, so the government has pushed plans to increase the density of its graveyards. Under the new plans, older gravesites could be altered to accommodate up to six additional coffins.
Why Americans Like Big Homes
Americans generally see bigger as better, and a desire for status combined with local government's desire to attract high-income residents often drives the development of large homes on large lots.
'Scripted Neighborhoods' By A Developer Who Defines Our Time
Do great civic spaces evolve or can they be invented? A look at the impact of "Disney-esque' developer Rick Caruso, the creator of The Grove, a successful retail complex in Los Angeles.
Google's 'Street View' Sparks Privacy Questions
"Street View," a new feature of Google Maps, offers panoramic street-level views of major urban areas. Where do you draw the line between public & private?
Conserving Gas By Buying A Third Car
Rather than down-sizing to a more economic vehicle, many commuters are instead choosing to up-size their car ‘fleet’ to include the smaller vehicle, rather than trading-in their gas-guzzler, resulting in an explosion of three-car households.
A Primer on Community Cohesion
The UK releases a summary report on the growing need in the country for greater 'Community Cohesion' -- or how to promote community citizenship based on greater knowledge and contact between different cultures.
Rezoning For An Aging Suburban Population
The first issue of a new journal on aging features a discussion on planning and rezoning of a suburb in response to the desires of an aging suburban population for a walkable community with mixed use and better transit services.
Iconic Hippie Neighborhood At Gentrification Crossroads
Ex-hippies-turned-homeowners and younger drifters have different expectations from San Francisco's Haight-Ashbury neighborhood.
Boston Tries Its Hand At Artist Housing
A new development in Hyde Park aims to revitalize its business district by attracting artists who are being priced out of Boston's formerly affordable neighborhoods.
Pagination
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.
City of Moorpark
City of Tustin
Tyler Technologies
City of Camden Redevelopment Agency
City of Astoria
Transportation Research & Education Center (TREC) at Portland State University
Regional Transportation Commission of Southern Nevada
Toledo-Lucas County Plan Commissions