Ethics

Aerial view of layered overpasses and highway intersections filled with cars.

The Good, the Bad, and the Ethical: A Moral Philosopher's Perspective on Sustainable Urban Mobility

In the United States, a nation marked by unparalleled car reliance, the environmental and health consequences of car dependency pose a significant ethical dilemma for urban planners, policymakers, and engineers.

July 21, 2024 - Mustafa Haque

Tesla

The Ethics of Autonomous Car Testing

In the wake of multiple fatal crashes involving Tesla's self-driving mode, ethicists suggest the need for a robust set of regulations governing the testing of AVs before more of them hit the road.

October 11, 2021 - Newsweek

U.S> Department of Housing and Urban Development

Controversial Trump Appointee Busted for Hatch Act Violation

Lynne Patton, a regional administrator for the U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development during the Trump administration, was in hot water for abusing her power after staying in public housing for a month in 2019.

April 7, 2021 - Forbes

Elaine Chao

Report Finds Conflicts of Interest in Elaine Chao's Time as Transportation Secretary

The U.S. Department of Justice in the final weeks of the Trump administration rejected an attempt to broaden the investigation into former Secretary Elaine Chao's potential ethics violations.

March 8, 2021 - The New York Times

Los Angeles Grand Park

Former L.A. Planning Director Admits to Ethics Violation

A Los Angeles Times investigation reveals that the city of Los Angeles' might not have revealed every layer of ethics violation committed by Michael LoGrande after he left the Department of City Planning in 2016.

August 23, 2019 - Los Angeles Times

Autonomous Vehicles

New Global Survey of the Ethics of Autonomous Vehicles

A paper published in the journal Nature reveals the findings of a survey of 2 million people in 200 countries on the ethics of the "trolley problem" as applied to self-driving cars.

November 5, 2018 - MIT News

Put the Morals of Self-Driving Cars to the Test

Meet the Moral Machine, which echoes a standard many people hope self-driving cars can achieve.

August 9, 2016 - Moral Machine

Intersection

Macabre Ethical Dilemmas: Just the Tip of the Iceberg for Robot Cars

The ethical quandaries that will confront self-driving cars as they navigate the world pose a lot of difficult questions. Antonio Loro charts a course for answering these tough questions.

July 18, 2016 - Antonio Loro

University of Chicago

What Makes a Great Planning Program?

Ann Forsyth, professor of urban planning at the Harvard Graduate School of Design, shares insight into common traits of the best educational programs in planning.

January 13, 2015 - Ann Forsyth

Advice for Planning Commissioners with Advocacy In Their Blood

You probably didn't end up on your community's planning commission because of your lack of opinions. Now that you are performing this service to the community, how do you balance your past political inclinations and maintain a fair process?

March 14, 2014 - PlannersWeb

Anti homeless bench

The Sneaky Ways Cities Alter Our Behavior

If you think your city is doing all it can to make its public spaces pleasant for all residents, think again. From “pig’s ears” to the "Camden Bench", Frank Swain explores the "secret tricks" cities use to make spaces uncomfortable and unattractive.

December 4, 2013 - BBC

Making the Camera Your Friend

The role of photography in urban planning should not be underestimated. Visual communication is incredibly important and powerful. Michael Heater provides a guide to using photos to remember, inspire, and create.

October 14, 2013 - APA

Planners Must Speak for the Disadvantaged

"No one other than we as planners has the responsibility for decisions today that will profoundly affect others," says Attorney/Planner Dwight H. Merriam.

November 28, 2011 - Edward J. Bloustein School of Planning and Public Policy

Architecture Is, By Definition, Corrupt

Victoria Beach, an independent architect, says that going by a recent definition by lawyer Lawrence Lessig, the entire profession of architecture is ethically corrupt.

April 30, 2010 - Design Intelligence

Church Vs. Casino

It's ethics vs. economics in a debate over a proposed casino in Stranraer, Scotland.

June 13, 2008 - BBC News

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.