Cities

Port

Ten Innovations for the Cities of the Near Future

The World Economic Forum offers a reminder of just how drastically things could change, and soon, in cities.

November 9, 2015 - Citiscope

Central Park

Rethinking the Definition of City

A city has always been understood and defined as a pattern of human settlement. This op-ed suggests that a city needs to be a product of its environment, rather than the environment simply being a product of it.

November 8, 2015 - Steven Snell

Manhattan Institute Presses Policy Innovations for 'The Next Urban Renaissance'

A new book from the Manhattan Institute, available for free download, argues that cities will have to full embrace experimentation and evaluation to be true laboratories of innovation.

October 15, 2015 - Manhattan Institute for Policy Research

Lisbon, Portugal

The 27 Typical Patterns of Urban and Suburban Development

Most cities around the world can be broken down into 27 typical patterns of development, according to the work of a researcher at UC Davis.

October 14, 2015 - The Washington Post - Wonkblog

Philadelphia's Benjamin Franklin Parkway

Philadelphia's New Arrivals Are Unapologetic Gentrifiers

As the new arrivals—young, mostly white urbanites—have descended into some of Philadelphia's working class and immigrant neighborhoods, the push back by locals has been met with a push back by the gentrifiers.

October 11, 2015 - PhillyMag

High Line with Denari

On the Perpetual Crisis of American Cities

A long and ranging article in the New Yorker surveys non-fiction, art, and other manifestations of intellectualism for insight into the plight of the city—to always be cast in some manner of morality tale.

October 8, 2015 - The New Yorker

City Action on Climate Change

Can cities be at the forefront of tackling climate change? According to forthcoming research by Arup and the C40 Cities Climate Leadership Group, cities play a crucial role in addressing this pressing issue.

October 8, 2015 - Doggerel

Thoughts on the Dynamic Cities Sector

After spending more than a decade in government and real estate development, Brian Swett recently joined Arup in the role of Director of Cities and Sustainable Real Estate in the Americas. We asked for his thoughts on urban expansion and development.

September 24, 2015 - Doggerel

The problems of success in the new urban era

Cities face challenges associated with rising values, an influx of more educated residents, and gentrification. Here's what cities can do.

September 18, 2015 - Better Cities & Towns

Friday Funny: How to Break Up With (Your City Name Here)

The only thing as ubiquitous as love letters are break up letters. Now it's even easier to break up with your city, using real data from the U.S. Census.

September 4, 2015 - Tiny Subversions

Global Call for Ideas Reveals Promising Resilience Solutions

Superstorm Sandy spurred the New York City Economic Development Corporation to form the RISE:NYC program, a global competition for innovative solutions to post-disaster resiliency. Arup's Sarah Wesseler spoke with them to learn more.

August 27, 2015 - Doggerel

Popsicles

The Popsicle Test: What Makes a City Good for Children?

Low crime rates and affordable property preoccupy adults, but kids need something more: the ability to walk the streets and play out on their own. In The Guardian, Viv Groskop explores the "popsicle test" and other elements of child-friendly cities.

August 25, 2015 - The Guardian

Family Parking

Cities, the Middle Class, and Children

Joel Kotkin argues that Jane Jacobs's insights are of limited value because cities are no longer useful for middle-class families.

August 25, 2015 - Michael Lewyn

A Community of Brick Suburban Homes on a cloudy summer day

The Changing Face of Suburban America

As the nation becomes more racially diverse, so too do the suburbs.

July 31, 2015 - Brookings: The Avenue

Acropolis

How Cities Inspire Deep Thoughts

As abstract as the study of philosophy may seem, it has to take place somewhere. Philosophy professor David Kishik posits that cities have influenced the development of philosophical ideas, from Socrates' Athens to William James' New York.

July 21, 2015 - New York Times

facades of victorian style residences in San Francisco

Guidance for Good Urban Density

A new report by the Urban Land Institute, "Density: Drivers, Dividends and Debates," examines the concept of density, its impacts, and how it can best be achieved in cities around the world.

July 9, 2015 - Density Drivers Dividends and Debates

Rendering

How Futuristic Renderings Fail Future Cities

Pushing back on a version of futurism that imagines cities as a collection of iconic structures devoid of people and interactions.

July 9, 2015 - Project For Public Spaces

Graffiti and Family

Building the Inclusive City

Income inequality, housing affordability, and residential segregation are big challenges that require more self-critical analysis and less civic self-promotion.

May 7, 2015 - Dean Saitta

Making a Place for Cities in International Climate Change Negotiations

Secretary of State John Kerry recently began a two-year term as the chair of the Acrtic Council. He used the occasion to make a call for a stronger role for cities in international efforts to fight climate change.

April 26, 2015 - The Washington Post

play fountain

Family-Friendly Downtown Living

What helps make a downtown family friendly? Safe places to play, safe streets, good schools and attainable housing, writes Jennifer Hill.

April 14, 2015 - Community Builders

News from HUD User

HUD's Office of Policy Development and Research

Call for Speakers

Mpact Transit + Community

New Updates on PD&R Edge

HUD's Office of Policy Development and Research

Top Books

An annual review of books related to planning.

Top Websites

The best of the Internet—since 2002.

Top Apps

Planning apps for a brave new world.

Top Schools

The definitive ranking of graduate planning programs.

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.