Livability

Aerial view of vehicles on city street with superimposed graphic arrows indicating autonomous cars.

Maintaining Livability in the Age of Autonomous Cars

How do self-driving cars fit into ‘livable streets?’

October 5, 2023 - Streetsblog USA

Greenwich Village street with red brick buildings with green awnings and businesses on first floor

Livable Streets, Revisited

The updated version of Donald Appleyard’s 1982 book Livable Streets, written by Appleyard's son, dives even deeper into the ‘ecology of the street,’ proposing actionable solutions for the conflicts and problems facing urban environments today.

February 26, 2023 - Bruce Appleyard

Dense, run-down apartment buildings in New York City

Can We Prevent Slumlords From Buying More Buildings?

Why should owners of buildings in illegally poor repair be able to buy more rentals? As Washington, D.C. found, it can be a difficult thing to prevent.

September 11, 2022 - Shelterforce Magazine

Antioch, California

California's 'Climate Action Plan for Transportation Infrastructure'

The newly released Climate Action Plan for Transportation Infrastructure shifts the state's transportation priorities to focus on clean energy and livability.

March 22, 2021 - Streetsblog California

Wheelchair user on sidewalk

What the Livability Index Shows About Housing

A new report highlights inequalities in accessibility and affordability.

February 22, 2021 - Harvard Center for Joint Housing Studies

Old Skool

Seniors and Urbanists Unite!

The AARP (American Association of Retired Persons) and CNU (Congress for New Urbanism) have produced a new set of urban planning guides. Their latest is, "A Handbook for Improved Neighborhoods."

January 14, 2021 - AARP

Senior Pedestrians

Insights From the Latest Livability Index

The latest edition of the AARP Livability Index reveals the U.S. regions with more of the kinds of neighborhoods that offer quality of life benefits for residents of all ages.

December 9, 2020 - Joint Center for Housing Studies of Harvard University

Wynyard Quarter

Considering Transportation Impacts on Well-Being and Livability

The New Zealand Transport Agency’s new report, "Transport Impacts on Wellbeing and Liveability" provides guidance for transportation planning that achieves fairness, neighborliness, respect, community identity, pride, fitness, and health.

October 23, 2020 - Transport Impacts on Wellbeing and Liveability: Literature Summary

Stahl House Los Angeles

Can L.A. Accomplish Affordability with 'Housing Plus, Plus, Plus'?

Alfred Fraijo Jr., partner at Sheppard Mullin, shares frustration with what he sees as a state inaction on housing and L.A.'s legacy of piecemeal planning and outdated zoning.

October 5, 2020 - The Planning Report

Wynyard Quarter

Code Score: A New Aid for Aligning Policy and Vision With Outcomes

A compendium of benefits of walkable urban places, put together by Hazel Borys and Kaid Benfield.

October 2, 2019 - PlaceShakers

Zurich

The Problem With All Those 'Livability' Rankings

Why is it that smallish cities in western Europe always score so well? Perhaps the underlying assumptions behind ostensibly data-driven "livability" rankings cater to a certain audience and leave most of us out.

July 3, 2019 - CityLab

Senior Pedestrians

AARP Announces 'Quick-Action' Community Challenge Grant

The program funds projects that improve mobility and livability "for all ages."

March 29, 2018 - Streetsblog California

Washington

Livability Standards Have Arrived in the Pacific Northwest

The city of Bellevue, Washington has adopted new zoning and land use standards as part of an ongoing Downtown Livability Initiative.

October 29, 2017 - The Urbanist

Civic Space: Creating Community

What moves us about great public space is its ability to convene community. To provide an accessible place of solace and celebration. It’s not about the buildings, or even the streets. It’s about the experience. Susan Henderson on Savannah's squares.

October 12, 2017 - PlaceShakers

France

Beuvron-en-Auge: 15th Century Town Planning Stands the Test of Time

Another reason European placemaking has North American applications: it wasn't always perfect. Hazel Borys looks to simple town planning lessons from a village in Normandy.

May 31, 2017 - PlaceShakers

Georgia

Lessons From Savannah

Savannah, Georgia is an elegant southern belle of a city. Susan Henderson looks at some of its lessons, along with ideas for future study.

April 6, 2017 - PlaceShakers

Dolores Park

Most Livable Cities Revisited

This "livable cities" ranking considers transit, walkability, and bikeability.

March 9, 2017 - Michael Lewyn

Miami

Codes Study: Trends in Zoning Reform

The Codes Study is updated! These are the cities that are rewriting their land use laws to promote wellness, economic strength, and environmental resilience.

February 16, 2017 - PlaceShakers

A New Guide to Revitalizing Cities Around the World

A major study by the Harvard University Graduate School of Design, "Revitalizing Places: Improving Housing and Neighborhoods from Block to Metropolis," identifies planning strategies to improve housing and urban development practices.

November 22, 2016 - Rethinking Social Housing in Mexico Project

Gas Station SUVs

Republicans Reveal an Anti-Urban, Anti-Public Transit Platform

The Grand Old Party platform calls for an end to using gas taxes for public transit as well as other non-road purposes like "bike-sharing," opposes increases to the 23-year-old gas tax, and would eliminate the U.S. DOT Livability Initiative.

July 21, 2016 - Progressive Railroading

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.