Social / Demographics

Getting Around New York in a Wheelchair (Still) a Struggle
A transit rider offers a powerful perspective on what it's like to use a wheelchair in New York City.

Theaster Gates Brings Together Planning and Art to Empower Communities
His work in Chicago has created spaces that protect and celebrate black lives and experience.

The State of the D.C. Region's Bus Network
The Bus Transformation Project recently released its findings on the state of bus transit in the Washington, D.C. region.

Public Transportation Is Good for Kids
Using transit gives children experiences, skills, and perspectives that they won’t get riding in a car.

When Cities Prosper, Rural Areas Are Better Off
The pitting of cities and rural communities against one another is the wrong approach. Instead, policies that help cities thrive will benefit rural areas in the long run.

Aging in Place in Margaritaville
A Jimmy Buffet-branded 55-plus community in Daytona, Florida is wildly popular. The New York Times Magazine gained early access and ponders its deeper significance.

The Front Porch: A Space of Deep Meaning for African-Americans
Much more than just an extension of a house, the porch has long been a place of safety, intimacy, and communality.

Mapping the Pacific Northwest's Changing Population
The Oregonian has published a new interactive mapping feature that allows users to map demographic changes to the Census tract level through Oregon and Washington.

Planning for Crime Reduction
Few issues are more emotional, and therefore vulnerable to bad analysis, than urban crime risk. Solid research indicates that more compact and mixed development tends to increase neighborhood security. Jane Jacobs was right!

President Macron Acquiesces to Yellow Vests' Demands on Fuel Tax Hike
Despite statements to the contrary just a week ago, Macron reversed position and caved to the demonstrators' demands that upcoming fuel tax hikes be suspended.

Inequality Found in the 'Unstudied Neighborhoods' Too
A new journal article calls out the academic community of planning and urbanism for relying too much on the usual suspects when researching marginalization and inequality, and assuming too much about what makes a neighborhood "normal."

Report: 'Segregation Tax' Depresses Home Values in Majority-Black Areas
According to a study, residential segregation and anti-black bias combine to devalue properties in majority-black neighborhoods by an average of $48,000 per home.

U.S. Life Expectancy Continues Downward Trend
Drug overdoses and suicides caused American life expectancy to drop in 2017 for the second consecutive year, according to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. Most notable is the gap between the urban and rural suicide rate.

France Drops Road Tolling Plans Amid Fuel Tax Protests
Controversial London-style congestion pricing won't be coming to French cities due to concerns sparked by the 'Yellow Vest' protests over an upcoming fuel tax hike, but President Macron stated the fuel tax increases will go forward in January.

L.A. Bus Stops Improved by D.I.Y. Additions
A bench is a basic bus stop amenity, but many stops on Los Angeles’ Eastside lack them. One resident took on the task of putting in benches himself.

Getting Started on Inclusive Planning
A toolbox for local governments to address inequality.

Los Angeles Approves Sidewalk Vending Ordinance
The new ordinance brings long-awaited legal legitimacy to sidewalk vending in Los Angeles.

Neighborhood and School Integration Don't Always Go Hand in Hand, Study Finds
In cities across the U.S., the relationship between residential and school segregation isn’t always clear.

Fuel Tax Hike Revolt Threatens French President Macron's Leadership
Anger at fuel tax increases planned for January, part of a pro-Green agenda espoused by President Emmanuel Macron, has sparked a populous movement involving hundreds of thousands of protestors that have taken to the streets, erupting into violence.

Nashville Scored an Amazon Prize, But the Long-Term Outcomes for the City Are Less Clear
Critics say the new operations facility will make some of the city’s problems even worse.
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.
planning NEXT
Appalachian Highlands Housing Partners
Mpact (founded as Rail~Volution)
City of Camden Redevelopment Agency
City of Astoria
City of Portland
City of Laramie