Surveillance
Flock cameras misread license plates in 71% of cases in California study
An analysis of 1,500 reports showed a shockingly high rate of error when reading license plates.
Commentary: Legitimate privacy fears undermine legitimate, life-saving speed camera programs
Automated traffic enforcement works — but excessive surveillance threatens to derail this key safety initiative.
Flock cameras are now in 6,000 US communities
The automated license plate readers are causing backlash from community members concerned about surveillance and privacy.
Popular transit payment system linked to Palantir could give ICE access to rider data
The tap-to-pay system is being used widely in transit systems including New York City, Boston and Chicago.
San Jose Moves to Rein in Flock Cameras, Joining in Backlash Amid Privacy Concerns
The city’s police chief is asking to limit the company’s data retention and sharing abilities.
Silicon Valley City Expels Automated License Plate Cameras Over Surveillance Fears
Mountain View, California voted to end their contract with Flock after residents protested the automated license plate readers.
The Rise of the ‘Night Mayor’
More cities are acknowledging the unique role of nighttime activities in urban life and the need for special ‘night governance.’
Coronavirus Geography: Denmark Could Be an Omicron Harbinger
Denmark is one of three countries that experts suggest watching to determine how the Omicron wave will affect the U.S. and other well-vaccinated nations. Cases are surging notwithstanding having 78% of its population fully vaccinated.
New Opportunities for Big Data in Pandemic-Era Urban Planning
Big data startups and corporations are collecting information that can help planners make informed decisions about how to facilitate social distancing. Will planners center data-driven decisions in other planning processes?
Nextdoor Getting Cozy With Local Officials
CityLab investigates the practices of company officials at Nextdoor to cultivate relationships with police and local officials.
Will Infrastructure Planners Become Responsible for Facial Recognition Systems?
Facial recognition offers both benefits and risks. Planners can have a role in ensuring more of the former than the latter.
New Orleans 'Smart City' Program Would Install Video Cameras in Public
The video cameras would be used to collect data on street light outages, but could also potentially used by police in the city's crime surveillance program.
Use of Private Surveillance Grows With the Help of Cheap AI Tech
As the technology gets cheaper, AI surveillance systems are gaining popularity in some parts of the country, like the neighborhood of Magnolia in Seattle.
Pulling Back the Curtain on the Smart City
Technology is infiltrating every aspect of our lives, but, according to this article, we shouldn't underestimate the nefarious role it plays in urban spaces.
Uber Could Record Rides in the U.S.
Uber wants to launch a program in the United States soon that would allow users to consent to an audio recording of their ride.
Which U.S. Cities Have the Most Surveillance?
Atlanta has more surveillance residents per resident than any other U.S. city.
The Car-Centric World and the Ongoing Expansion of Police Powers
While cars are still equated with freedom of mobility and personal liberty, they've also offered courts the chance to expand police powers in the public realm, time and time again.
'Smart Cities' and Surveillance
The big city isn't such an anonymous place anymore.
San Diego Adding 4,200 IoT Sensors to City Streets
Details emerged this week of a massive "Internet of Things" (IoT) project in San Diego, California.
Homeland Security Grants Aim to Harden Transit
Amtrak and a range of big city transit agencies have received federal grants to upgrade their security in the face of terrorism.
FREE Course: Walkable City 1: Why Walkability?
After describing his path towards focusing on walkability as the essence of good planning, Jeff Speck marches through his five principal reasons for making more walkable places.
Reinventing Malls: Planning Alchemy—Turning Gray Fields Into Gold
The course focuses on the opportunities and imperatives that shape reinvention of mall sites.
Eagle County Government
Harvard University Graduate School of Design
Nashville Planning Department
The Architects Foundation
University of Cincinnati Online
The Pocatello Development Authority
The Urban Renewal Agency of the City of Pocatello
Journal of the American Planning Association
