Metropolitan Regions

Atlanta Park

The Blue Beltway

Ronald Brownstein, a senior editor at The Atlantic, coins a new political-geographic term in the wake of the Georgia U.S. Senate runoff elections to describe a shift in the political alignment of nearly all large metropolitan areas in the nation.

January 8, 2021 - The Atlantic

Detroit Pistons

Another Suburban Anchor Development Doomed by Fate in the Detroit Region

The Detroit Pistons recently played their last game in the Palace of Auburn Hills.

April 19, 2017 - Detroit Free Press

Atlanta Braves Country

Georgia State Senate Pumps the Breaks on Cityhood Processes

Atlanta's quickly growing region means many communities are seeking to incorporate. Several controversial processes, however, have compelled the state to reform the incorporation process.

February 6, 2017 - The Atlanta Journal-Constitution

Quantifying Buying Power in 356 Cities

NPR presents the BEA's Real Personal Income for States and Metropolitan as Infographic

May 22, 2014 - National Public Radio

Demographic Change Creates New Types of Regional Metropolises

Though population growth rates have slowed in cities and suburbs, their increasing interconnectedness has created sets of diverse metropolitan areas, according to the Brookings Institution's Alan Berube.

July 20, 2011 - The Brookings Institution

MPOs Have Scope, But No Power

As the regionality of urban planning issues becomes more clear, metropolitan planning organizations are uniquely suited to shape the policy response. But, according to this piece from Citiwire, they lack the power to do it.

August 2, 2009 - Citiwire

Cities Miffed As Transportation Funds Filter to Rural Areas

Less than half of the money set aside in the federal stimulus plan for transportation projects is going to cities, according to an analysis by The New York Times.

July 9, 2009 - The New York Times

The Presidential Focus on Cities and Metros

Urban policy is looking to be a major element of President Barack Obama's administration. Though it hasn't quite taken shape yet, this piece argues it's a good sign for cities and metropolitan regions.

April 3, 2009 - Governing

Suburban Voices Needed At White House

This piece from Robert E. Lang and Lawrence Levy calls for President Barack Obama to include suburban voices in his administration's policy discussions about urban issues.

March 23, 2009 - Citiwire

Tough Road For Office of Urban Affairs

Neal Peirce looks at the daunting challenges facing the new White House Office of Urban Affairs.

March 22, 2009 - Citiwire

Metropolitan Areas Drive Economies

Metropolitan regions are the most important factors in supporting prosperous economies. For national economies to succeed, metropolitan regions must succeed, according to this article from the Brookings Institution.

March 12, 2009 - The Brookings Institution

Metros Show Signs of Order Over Stimulus Money

As stimulus money trickles down to states, many worry the best laid plans for spending it will devolve into a frantic money grab among municipalities. But, according to this piece from Mark Muro, there are signs of order at the metropolitan level.

February 26, 2009 - Citiwire

Suburbs Aren't the Only Places Reacting to Rising Energy Prices

This article from USA Today looks at how some big cities are reacting to rising energy prices. Two examples from metropolitan Phoenix highlight the fact that it is not only suburbs that are being forced to respond.

August 1, 2008 - USA Today

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.