Social / Demographics

The Village

'Community Preference' Housing Policy Under the Microscope on Either Side of the Country

A new study out of New York City reveals the worsening effects of segregation due to the city's "community preference" affordable housing policy, Seattle sets out to craft a policy of its own.

July 23, 2019 - The New York Times

Splash Park

The Myth of the 'Childless City'

It is conventional wisdom that suburbs are more attractive to families with children than cities. But in fact, the most dense urban cores are gaining children to a greater extent than their suburbs.

July 22, 2019 - Michael Lewyn

Rural Texas

U.S. Economic Growth Shows Urban-Rural Divide

The economy is improving in places like Texas, but a closer look indicates that cities are taking off while rural areas are lagging behind.

July 20, 2019 - The New York Times

Green Bike Lane

Anti-Displacement Efforts and Green Infrastructure Signal Hope in Portland

The Living Cully coalition prioritizes the well-being of long term, lower-income residents with future-building revitalization projects.

July 19, 2019 - Next City

Air Travel

French 'EcoTax' Targets Air Travel to Benefit Rail Network

The Minister for Transport called it "part of the answer to climate change" – charging air travelers a modest fee for international trips that originate in France and investing the revenue in greener alternatives such as rail transport.

July 18, 2019 - The Washington Post

Philadelphia, Pennsyvlania

Study: Not All Gentrification Effects Are Equal

A comprehensive national study finds that for many original residents of gentrifying neighborhoods, the effects of gentrification can have positive effects.

July 17, 2019 - The Philadelphia Inquirer

Supermarket Japan

Experiencing the City in the Supermarket

Grocery stores are more than just places to buy food. They’re the universal gateway to city life and culture.

July 16, 2019 - New York Magazine

Wildfire Season

Seattle Clean-Air Shelters to Provide Relief to Residents

Wildfires have caused the city’s air quality to plummet in recent years. The new shelters will give residents a break when the air is not fit to breathe.

July 16, 2019 - CityLab

Parked Van

The 'Vanlord' Providing Shelter to L.A.'s Homeless

A creative rental industry has emerged in Los Angeles as the affordable housing crisis grows.

July 16, 2019 - Santa Monica Daily Press

New York Subway

Research: Transit Times Determine Social Networks

A social network analysis, touted as the largest ever, reveals the importance of mobility for social connections.

July 16, 2019 - Slate

Co-Working Office

A Tipping Point in the Geography of the Creative Class?

The geography of talent is changing. Richard Florida takes a closer look at where the creative class is moving as a result of the housing affordability crisis in many of the largest and most famous cities in the country.

July 16, 2019 - CityLab

Downtown North Little Rock

Helping City Workers Live in the City

Local municipalities are offering housing incentives to draw employees and help them live closer to their jobs.

July 15, 2019 - Governing

Homelessness

Houston Gets a Handle on Homelessness While Dallas Struggles

Formerly playing host to almost double the homeless population of Dallas, Houston has addressed the problem with some success over the past decade. Meanwhile, rising costs have fueled a growing crisis in Dallas.

July 15, 2019 - The Texas Tribune

Sports Utility Vehicle

SUVs Kill Pedestrians—and They Have for a Long Time

While much focus is on the future of autonomous vehicles, the increase in pedestrian deaths related to SUVs remains a largely ignored issue.

July 15, 2019 - Slate

Los Angeles Metro Bus

No Quick Fixes for L.A.’s Transit Ridership Woes

One of the largest transit systems in the country continues to lose large numbers of riders. But the causes behind the drop and the solutions to stop it are hard to pinpoint.

July 14, 2019 - Los Angeles Times

Denver Region

Denver Freeway Expansion Makes a Bad Situation Worse

The Interstate 70 expansion project is affecting air quality in surrounding neighborhoods, where chronic illness is prevalent and residents feel their health and safety have not been priorities.

July 13, 2019 - The Denver Post

Census

Did You Know? The Census Bureau Offers a 'Statistical Testing Tool'

A tool released last year helps users test the significance of comparisons between American Community Survey estimates.

July 12, 2019 - United States Census Bureau

Tent City

Will Appeal of Landmark Appeals Court Ruling Allow for Clearing of Tent Cities?

If the Supreme Court hears an appeal of a landmark U.S. Ninth Circuit Court case settled in April, the ruling would have widespread implications for dealing with homeless encampments throughout the West, perhaps nowhere more so than Los Angeles.

July 10, 2019 - Los Angeles Times

Houston Townhouse

Op-Ed: Zoning Shouldn't Discriminate Based on the Definition of 'Family'

By designating that "family" refer to a specific set of ties, many zoning codes make it difficult for "functional" families without those ties to find a place to live.

July 10, 2019 - CityLab

Caffeine

Chicago Coffee Shops Breaking Social and Economic Ground on the South Side

Cafes on the city's South Side are more than just businesses. They also provide important spaces for community building and economic development in neighborhoods that have been historically overlooked.

July 8, 2019 - Chicago Tribune

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.