Communications

The Denver Skyline, according to Midjourney, an AI image generator.

Denver-Inspired Chatbot Serves as Prototype for AI in City Planning and Zoning

A prototype City Planning Chatbot uses AI to answer public questions on zoning and city planning in Denver. Although not endorsed by the City, the experiment demonstrates the potential power of AI to provide accurate planning and zoning answers.

November 5, 2023 - Chris Steins via Medium

Regional Transit

Only High-Income Riders Rely on Twitter for Transit Info, Study Says

A recent study by the Transit app reveals which communications methods are the most and least effective at reaching demographic groups representative of transit riders.

January 20, 2022 - transit

Climate Change Protest

Searching for Clearer Climate Change Messaging

Although clear climate communication is more important than ever, many people find even basic terminology about climate change confusing, research shows.

September 19, 2021 - NPR

Public Meeting Speaker

The 'Garbage Language' of Planning

The language we use as planners can serve many purposes and often hinders good communication rather than fostering it.

March 16, 2020 - Strong Towns

Planning Department Technology

City Planning Technology, 2019 Benchmarking Study

A report on the current state of Internet technologies, policies, and content management systems adopted by 600 cities across the United States, including recommended steps cities should take to improve technology assets in 2019.

February 11, 2019 - William Riggs

Fiber Optic Cable

The 'Worst-Connected Cities' in the United States

Here are the cities where residents are the least likely to have a broadband Internet connection in their home.

June 9, 2018 - Route Fifty

Europe Will Lag Behind in 5G Adoption

While there are differences in the user cases of early adopters, around the world it is clear that Europeans will have to wait a bit longer to enjoy the speed, low latency, and reliability of 5G networks.

March 4, 2018 - Cities of the Future

Housing Construction

Ten Ways to Frame Constructive Housing Messages

There are lots of arguments available for people that want to oppose new housing projects, but what are a few guiding principles for framing a supportive and constructive housing conversation?

April 7, 2017 - Sightline Institute

Technology Survey 2017

City Planning Department Technology Benchmarking Survey 2017

A report on the current state of Internet technology used by 600 cities across the United States, including recommended steps cities should take to improve their technology assets in 2017-2018.

January 11, 2017 - William Riggs

Technology Survey

City Planning Department Technology Benchmarking Survey 2015

The following report surveys the current state of Internet technology as employed by the planning departments of over 500 cities in the United States.

January 27, 2015 - William Riggs

Santa Claus for Digital Natives

The death of suburban malls at the hands of online shopping is well documented. It turns out Santa also has a cyber proxy rendering the old way of doing things obsolete.

December 25, 2014 - The Wall Street Journal

Don Draper

Lessons from Don Draper (for Planners)

Aside from inspiring a classy wardrobe, what can urban planners learn from characters like Don Draper and Peggy Olson? What cues should urban planners and policy makers take from the field of advertising to help pitch planning ideas?

January 28, 2014 - Georgia Sheridan

Image of an infographic: The Truth About Transit

Infographics: The Truth About Transit

Since it has struggled with aggressive transit foes over half-cent sales taxes and light rail, Charlotte, North Carolina's transit system is launching a campaign to dispel myths about transit with crisp, clear infographics.

September 4, 2013 - The Atlantic Cities

Old School Strategies for Outreach and Communication

Looking to leverage cheap and easy social media tools to meet your citizen engagement mandate? Read. This. Now.

August 7, 2013 - PlaceShakers

Marshalling Public Support is Key to Funding Infrastructure Improvements

As repeated pleas for the need to repair and replace America's crumbling infrastructure go unheeded, a new report outlines "practical, actionable ways to sell the American public on the need to invest in the nation’s transportation infrastructure."

April 26, 2012 - The Washington Post

Folding Bikes Gain Popularity in Brazil

Maria Fernanda Cavalcanti, a resident of Brazil, writes that folding bicycles "...have been catching the attention of urban cyclists everywhere."

December 14, 2011 - TheCityFix.com

Intercity Bus Travel Outstrips Air and Rail in Growth

A recently released report reveals that intercity bus travel has reversed a decades-long trend of decreased use and shows that the industry is growing at double the rate than air travel, reports Jonna McKone of TheCityFix.

January 19, 2011 - TheCityFix

Improving Communications About Transit

This post from The City Fix looks at various efforts to increase communication between transit riders and transit providers in Chicago.

November 18, 2010 - The City Fix

Mobile Devices Could Prompt Rise in City Living

This post from The Atlantic suggests that mobile devices and the ability to connect them with the Internet will help lure more people into cities.

September 10, 2010 - The Atlantic

Military's Newest Enemy: Wind Turbines

The U.S. Defense Department has become one of the largest hurdles for wind power projects, arguing that large wind turbines can cause interference with the military's communications technology.

August 27, 2010 - The New York Times

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.