New York City

Geomapping the Rats of New York

By mapping rat infestations, New York City's health inspectors have found a whole new way to beat back the rodents.

December 16, 2008 - Time

Growing People And Jobs While Shrinking Traffic

As New York City faces its worst financial crisis in 2 decades, a NYC D.O.T. study was released showing that from 2003-2007, the increase in jobs and people was accompanied by a slight decrease in traffic due primarily to increased transit usage.

December 15, 2008 - The New York Times

New York City More Diverse Than Ever

New census data has given some insight on how New York City has been changing in the past eight years or so. Diversity is on the rise, as is the number of children being raised in Manhattan.

December 10, 2008 - The New York Times

MTA Rescue Plan Wins Support Of NY Governor

The MTA rescue plan, with its new East & Harlem River bridge tolls and first-ever, 12-county transit payroll tax cleared a major political hurdle by winning the crucial support of NY Gov' Paterson. Winning support from mayor, outer boroughs remains.

December 9, 2008 - The New York Times

Balancing A City's History With Its Future

In a place as dynamic as New York City, balancing preservation with development pressure is no easy task.

December 3, 2008 - New York Times

Churches and the Price of Preservation

The demolition of a registered historic church in Brooklyn has underscored a debate over historic religious facilities between preservationists and congregations who struggle to pay the added costs of owning historic property.

December 3, 2008 - The New York Times

New Yorkers Still Oppose Park Redesign Already Underway

Plans to redesign New York City's Washington Square Park have been hotly protested by community members since their inception. The work is already underway, but the opposition sentiment remains.

November 26, 2008 - The New York Times

Greening New York From the Street Up

This article from The American Prospect profiles New York City Transportation Commissioner Janette Sadik-Khan and examines her influence on the city's green agenda.

November 26, 2008 - The American Prospect

NYC Imposes Bike Parking Requirements

New office and apartment buildings in New York City are now mandated to provide a certain proportion of secure bike parking spaces.

November 12, 2008 - Business Week

Plastic Bag Fee Less Than Welcomed

Mayor Michael Bloomberg has announced plans to charge a six-cent fee for every plastic bag taken at the register. While good for the environment, some New Yorkers still don't like the idea.

November 12, 2008 - The New York Times

Economic Benefits In Question in New York Stadium Redevelopments

Stadium construction in New York that was intended to have only a small cost to taxpayers has turned out to be a major investment and allocation of tax breaks, causing many to question whether the economic benefits of rebuilding will ever be seen.

November 6, 2008 - The New York Times

Bike Racks as Public Art Gaining Popularity

Quirky, artistic bike racks are cropping up in cities around the country--a trend that benefits more than just cyclists.

November 5, 2008 - USA Today

New York City's Glow Dims

With rising energy prices, lights are dimming in New York City. Legislation in the state seeks to reduce the city's glow even more.

November 3, 2008 - The New York Times

Bicycle Infrastructure = More Bicyclists

New York City has released new bicycle counts that demonstrate a 35% increase from 2007 to 2008. Many believe this dramatic rise has much to do with the city's renewed commitment to alternative transportation.

November 3, 2008 - The New York Times

If You Stripe It, They Will Come

The most recent bicycle counts from two of America's most progressive cities, New York City and Portland, have been made public. The results are impressive as much as they are instructive.

October 31, 2008 - Mike Lydon

Real-Time Subway Monitoring

In a trial run starting in December, monitors in one New York City subway station will display the exact location of every train on the line, giving riders a more accurate idea about how long they'll have to wait for the next train.

October 26, 2008 - The New York Times

Public Art Project's Impact at $69 Million

Olafur Eliasson’s "Waterfalls" public art installations around New York Harbor's waterfront generated an estimated economic impact of $69 million, exceeding the initial estimate of $55 million.

October 22, 2008 - The New York Times

Will Praise Mean Anything for Central Park?

New York's Central Park was recently named to the APA's list of the country's 10 best public spaces. Sewell Chan wonders if the designation will really mean anything new for the park.

October 13, 2008 - The New York Times

Of Songs And Cities: Listening To NYC's Columbus Park

Jane Jacobs once said, “Songs and cities are the best things about us. Songs and cities are so indispensable.” For a long time I thought Mother Jacobs was speaking, as only she could, about two separate, but vital human necessities. Yet after another weekend exploring New York City, I am convinced the two—songs and cities—are inextricably linked. That is, truly great cities play their own songs, and after one listen you can’t get them out of your head.

October 13, 2008 - Mike Lydon

New York Families Make One Bedroom Work

The amount of young families squeezing into one-bedroom apartments in New York City is on the rise.

October 11, 2008 - 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.