Social / Demographics

New York City Homelessness

'The Great Real Estate Reset'

Business as usual in the real estate industry is failing the economy and the political and social cohesion of the United States, according to a new initiative launched by the Brookings Institution.

February 3, 2021 - Brookings

Dakota Access protest

Thank Indigenous Activists for the Keystone XL Pipeline's Demise

President Biden's executive order may put the final nail in the coffin of the controversial pipeline project, but it was unwavering local activists who kept the pressure on for a decade.

February 3, 2021 - Atmos

California and Nevada

'Zoom Towns': Paradigm Shift or Age-Old Pattern?

In California, housing prices have shot up in resort areas like Lake Tahoe and Big Bear and in suburbs like Mountain House and Rancho Cucamonga. Are urbanities fleeing, or are young adults doing what young adults have always done?

February 2, 2021 - California Planning & Development Report

Mrs. Ella Watson, a government charwoman, with three grandchildren and her adopted daughter

Repositioning Black Urbanists in the History of Planning

The history of planning is dominated by a few iconic figures—all white.

February 2, 2021 - Planning Magazine

New York Subway Coronvairus

CDC's New Face Mask Requirement on Transit Takes Effect Tuesday

Travelers will be required to properly wear a face mask when riding all forms of public transportation, e.g., ride-share, bus, train, ferry, or plane. The rule applies to transportation hubs and boarding platforms. Not just any face-covering will do.

February 1, 2021 - Slate

Washington, D.C.

Planning Trends to Watch in 2021

The nation is now tasked with the challenge of changing course in the middle of multiple, global crises. The necessity of finding a way to overcome the failures of the past and lay the groundwork for a new kind of future has never been more clear.

January 31, 2021 - James Brasuell

Coronavirus and Urbanism

Post-Pandemic: Living with COVID

With coronavirus Infections decreasing and vaccinations increasing throughout the nation, health and science reporters are writing about what the end of the pandemic may look like—from a disease perspective.

January 31, 2021 - National Geographic

Washington, D.C.

Biden Promises New Attention to Racial Inequality, Including Fair Housing

The Biden administration is announcing its intentions to overturn several controversial products of the Trump administration to weaken the the implementation of the Fair Housing Act of 1968 and the doctrine of disparate impact at its core.

January 28, 2021 - The White House

Interior of taxi with driver in Buenos Aires, Argentina

Riding in Cars with COVID-19

Research suggests maximizing airflow during shared car rides vastly reduces the risk of transmission.

January 28, 2021 - The New York Times

C.J. Peete Public Housing, New Orleans

Opinion: Public Housing Won't Solve the Affordability Crisis

Seeking repeal of the Faircloth Amendment could be a needless distraction in the new administration's efforts to create more affordable housing, according to an article by Jenny Schuetz for the Brookings Intitution.

January 27, 2021 - Brookings Institution

Coronavirus

Outdoor Dining and Indoor Haircuts Return to California

With COVID infections plummeting, Gov. Gavin Newsom surprisingly lifted California's regional stay home order that had imposed the nation's strictest personal and business restrictions during the most deadly phase of the pandemic.

January 27, 2021 - California Department of Public Health

Detroit Motor City

Detroit's Unique Climate Challenges

As climate change intensifies, Detroit could see more devastating floods and deadlier heat waves.

January 27, 2021 - Planet Detroit

COVID-19 and Public Health

Biden: Masks, Not Vaccines, Are Best Defense in Near Term

President Joe Biden is calling on all Americans to wear masks for the next 100 days to mitigate the spread of the coronavirus, issuing two executive orders that require wearing masks on federal property and in domestic and international travel.

January 26, 2021 - The Washington Post

Wheelchair Ramp

Cars, Transit, and the Disabled

Contrary to popular myth, the disabled drive less than other Americans.

January 26, 2021 - Michael Lewyn

Suburban Home

The Shifting Demographics of Homeownership

Hispanics are the only racial group projected to increase their rate of homeownership over the next two decades, according to a new analysis.

January 26, 2021 - Houston Chronicle

Coronavirus

An American Lockdown

Words matter. Road safety advocates know that "crashes are not accidents." Similarly, calling coronavirus restrictions "lockdowns," fails to distinguish the severity among public health orders. On January 6, America experienced a true lockdown.

January 25, 2021 - NPR

Sutter Street from above

San Francisco's Housing Crisis is Deepening, Despite Falling Rents

Despite the purported exodus of untethered Silicon Valley workers from the Bay Area, rents in the city are still the highest in the United States.

January 24, 2021 - The Guardian

Coronavirus

North Dakota's Mask Mandate Expires as Infections Plummet

North Dakota led the nation in COVID cases for months before Gov. Doug Burgum issued a mask mandate last November. Since then, active cases have dropped by 80 percent. The mandate was extended last month but was allowed to expire on Jan. 18.

January 24, 2021 - Grand Forks Herald

Adams Morgan pedestrian zone during COVID-19 pandemic

The Slow Streets Reckoning

Slow streets programs provided a quick short-term solution and paved the way for some permanent street closures and realignments. Now, these programs are getting a second look as community groups react to the changes.

January 19, 2021 - Bloomberg CityLab

COVID-19

How Widespread Is the Coronavirus in Your Metro Area?

Do you know the COVID risk level where you live, work and play? Many COVID data trackers provide county and state-level data, but metropolitan area data had been more difficult to find until now, thanks to Covid Act Now.

January 19, 2021 - Covid Act Now

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.