Social / Demographics
Open Borders Give Spain An Economic Boost
With no restrictions on immigration, Spain is increasingly home to an immigrant-rich population. And while some feared the open policy would strain the country's public services, the economic benefit has far outweighed the cost in services.
New Condo Towers Pit 'Boomers' Versus 'Echo-Boomers'
Though swank new condo towers in certain hip metro markets are catering to young singles, empty nesters are ruining the party by purchasing units as well.
Blacks Feel Hurt Of Katrina More Than Whites
New Orleans black population has been more negatively affected by Hurricane Katrina than the city's white population, according to a recent survey.
Can U.S. Strategy Reduce Vancouver's Homelessness?
In the last five years, U.S. cities have taken a different approach to dealing with homelessness -- providing specialized services to the most vulnerable. The man heading this effort says that other cities like Vancouver should follow the U.S. lead.
Playtime For Grandma
In an effort to encourage its growing elderly population to exercise, Berlin, Germany has opened a public playground intended for the city's most senior citizens.
Census 2010 Test Runs Use New Technologies, Face New Challenges
This report from NPR looks at the preparations, new technologies, and test runs that are currently underway to prepare for Census 2010.
Domestic Migration 'Re-Aligning' U.S. Cities
In this Wall Street Journal editorial, the author analyzes Census data to argue that famed "Coastal Megalopolises" such as Los Angeles, Boston, New York and San Francisco are actually becoming America's equivalent of Mexico City and São Paulo.
Urbanization Continuing Rapidly Across The Globe
With world's urbanized population now at 50 percent, urban living seems set to be the global norm -- though its unclear if many cities can cope with the challenge.
Urban Planning and the Informal Sector in Developing Countries
Rather than seeking to eliminate the presence of the informal sector, urban planning should seek to accommodate this important component of urban economies.
Youngstown, Ohio, Tries To 'Shrink' Smartly
Rather than advocate for population growth, the gritty industrial city of Youngstown, Ohio, has launched a bold plan to -- among other strategies -- let declining neighborhoods empty out and be converted to greenspace.
The Job Of Ranking Cities
Every year, Bert Sperling and his small team of researchers get to decide which are the best places to live, work, play, and even love.
A New Vision For Tiananmen Square: A Lush Park
Could a 'green' makeover of one of China's most infamous public spaces help signal the country's shifting politics?
Density Bonus May Be Key To Housing Aging Boomers
San Francisco's density bonus is being used by for-profit developers marketing condos designated for seniors -- albeit for a price.
Local Officials Say Border Fences Will Harm Economy
Mayors and local officials along the Texas-Mexico border are angry that they were not included in a planning process to create more than 150 miles of fencing along the international border. Officials fear the fences will harm their local economies.
More Parks In U.S. Going Car-Free
One mile of road in San Francisco's Golden Gate Park will be closed to cars every Saturday this summer, just one of many examples of car-free zones that are being proposed in the U.S.
Do Broadband And New Urbanism Go Hand In Hand?
Speaking at a technology related conference, Andres Duany talks about how the rise of high-speed internet connections and telecommuting has increased the importance of social activity created by traditional neighborhood design.
Locals Oppose Towers Along Border
This report from NPR details local opposition to a Department of Homeland Security plan to erect watch towers along the Arizona-Mexico border.
Big Brother Is Watching ... And Listening ... And Talking
Citing the popularity and success of closed-circuit television cameras that have been installed in many public places for crime-fighting purposes, politicians in the UK are considering attaching microphones and even loudspeakers to these cameras.
Does Your Neighborhood Have A Blog?
A new survey finds that neighborhoods experiencing gentrification have a high number of people blogging about their community.
Construction Begins On Nation's Largest Park For Disabled Children
In California, a huge team of volunteers is building the nation's largest playground for disabled children, equipped with slides and ramps wide enough for wheelchairs, rubber ground padding, and textured play surfaces for blind children.
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
