Barcelona
Smart City Expo World Congress to Focus on Citizen Empowerment and Mobility
The event will focus on the strategies to empower metropolises and their citizens through active participation, critical reflection, awareness and access. The new Smart Mobility World Congress will be a global mobility hub.
Barcelona Needs Swift Action Against Pollution
The capital of Catalunya is suffering from persistent high pollution due to car density and the largest number of motorcycles in Europe. City administrators, aware of the situation, have been unwilling to take any action that would upset drivers.
Barcelona Tackles its Traffic, Pollution With Parking Policies and Superblocks
We talked to Barcelona's mobility guru, Mercedes Vidal, about how the high pollution levels that are pushing the city to rethink heavy traffic flows, provide faster more efficient public transport and hike up parking fees.
'The World's Urban Planner': UN-Habitat's Joan Clos
The phrase "everything on the street" captures UN-Habitat head Joan Clos's approach to urbanization. In the wake of Habitat III, who is the man behind the conference's "New Urban Agenda"?
Barcelona’s First Superblock: Fighting the Power of Habit and Wavering Political Will
Two weeks ago, after nearly two decades of waiting, Barcelona urban designer Salvador Rueda finally saw the first "Superilla" (Superblock) installed in the city. The superblock faced fierce opposition from unhappy residents and local businesses.
Barcelona's Answer to a Car-Centric City: Superblocks
Barcelona wants to be the world’s best city for people. To reclaim the public space and community living that residents lost to cars over the last century, the city is transforming mobility and access to public space by introducing the superblock.
Barcelona Facing New Housing Problems, and Airbnb
Barcelona is facing increasing pressure on its housing market, primarily in rental prices. The Mediterranean city, which last year became the third most popular European destination after Paris and London, is facing a new housing crisis.
Barcelona 'Superblocks' Aim to Cut Down on Cars
Seeking relief from noise, pollution, and incessant traffic, the city of Barcelona has a bold plan to repurpose street space. "Superblocks" will route cars around the perimeter, leaving interior streets open for walkers and bikes.
Pioneering Paver Design Produces Pedestrian Havens
In the capitals of Europe, the humble paver is being deployed as a powerful tool to refresh and enliven public spaces, writes Jared Green.
Modern Technology Helps Complete a Building Designed 130 Years Ahead of its Time
Still under construction 130 years after it was designed by architect Antoni Gaudi, the Sagrada Familia is the longest running architectural project in the world. On Sunday, "60 Minutes" looked at how modern technology is aiding its completion.
Using Pictures to Think About Cities
How does each of us perceive the city? Using photos of pedestrians in Seattle crosswalks and the highly walkable Las Ramblas in Barcelona, Chuck Wolfe challenges readers to think for themselves about what they see.
Picturing Ten Urban Qualities Important for Every City
Writing in The Atlantic Cities, Chuck Wolfe provides ten illustrated examples of enjoyable environments that reflect an evolving recognition for the qualitative aspects of the urban experience.
The Best of the Vest: The World's Greatest Pocket Parks
Paris, Barcelona, New York City...Cleveland? Like the oft-hidden urban oasis that are the subject of this article, you may come across some surprises in Crai S. Bower's list of the best cities for pocket parks.
Learning from Barcelona
Planetizen blogger Brent Toderian returns from a recent trip to Barcelona with six ideas every city should steal from the Catalonian capital.
Plenty of Reasons Not to Raise the Roofline in D.C.
Drawing inspiration from Paris and Barcelona, Kaid Benfield offers his take on the recent controversy surrounding height limits in the nation's capital, enumerated point-by-point against arguments over capacity, density, affordability, and beyond.
Will Visions of a Vegas on the Manzanares Materialize?
Late last week, billionaire casino magnate Sheldon Adelson announced that Madrid had won the competition to become the future location of Europe's "largest gambling mecca," reports Giles Tremlett. Questions regarding the project's viability remain.
Why Hosting the Olympics is a Bad Idea
As the 2012 Summer Olympics begin in earnest today with the first Women's Soccer games, Andrew Zimbalist offers 3 reasons why "hosting the Olympics is a losers game."
Where to Find the World's Best Parks
Writing for Frommer's, Charis Atlas Heelan identifies the "The World's 10 Best Cities for Parks."
Is Controversial Megacasino the Best Cure for a Spanish City's Economic Woes?
As leaders in Madrid and Barcelona slug it out to lure a new megacasino to their cities, some are questioning the economic, environmental, legal, and moral compromises being offered.
Waste Disposal Becomes Sexy
Katherine Fung pens a feature in The Architect's Newspaper on the recent wave of projects seeking to improve the way our waste management infrastructure looks and works.
Pagination
FREE Course: Walkable City 1: Why Walkability?
After describing his path towards focusing on walkability as the essence of good planning, Jeff Speck marches through his five principal reasons for making more walkable places.
Reinventing Malls: Planning Alchemy—Turning Gray Fields Into Gold
The course focuses on the opportunities and imperatives that shape reinvention of mall sites.
City of Rosemead
Rutgers University, Edward J. Bloustein School of Planning and Public Policy
One Hundred Miles
Hunter College, City University of New York (CUNY)
The Architects Foundation
University of Cincinnati Online
City of Cambridge
Montrose County
The Pocatello Development Authority