Top Apps

A Brave New World: How Apps Are Changing Planning

Mobile applications (apps) are gaining in popularity as tools for increasing participation in local governance and planning, and are opening up new possibilities for planners to tap into the wisdom of the crowd.

September 4, 2012 - Jennifer Evans-Cowley

A series of screengrabs illustrating the functionality of Google Maps.

Recommended Mobile Apps for Urban Planning in 2023

Planetizen's annual list of top apps for planners is back, ten years after its first appearance on the site. Scores of apps have been recommended by planners as examples of planning in action, or tools for planning action.

April 27, 2023 - James Brasuell

2017 Apps

Survey: Help Identify the Best Planning Apps of 2023

Planetizen needs your help updating the definitive list of mobile apps for professional, student, academic, or citizen planners.

March 12, 2023 - Planetizen

Screengrabs from the Morpholio Trace showing the drawing and annotation tools of the CAD app.

Best Apps for Urban Planning in 2022

Mobile apps continue to redefine the practices of planning—urban planning, regional planning, transportation planning, community planning, and rural planning included.

February 28, 2022 - James Brasuell

GIS Mobile App

Survey: What Mobile Apps Are Most Useful for Planning in 2021?

Planetizen is requesting your input in creating the definitive list of mobile apps for professional, student, academic, or citizen planners—updated for a planning profession forever altered by the Covid-19 pandemic.

October 18, 2021 - Planetizen

GIS Mobile App

Top Planning Apps for 2019

Insights into the mobile app technology used in the practice and study of planning.

July 29, 2019 - James Brasuell

Bus and Subway Times

Survey: What Are the Best Mobile Apps for Planning?

Planetizen needs your input in creating the definitive list of mobile apps for professional, student, academic, or citizen planners.

June 5, 2019 - Planetizen

Bus and Subway Times

The Best Planning Apps

Planetizen is pleased to present the best of the latest crop of mobile apps by planners and for planners.

May 31, 2018 - James Brasuell

Free Floating Bikeshare

Survey: What Are Your Favorite Planning Apps?

We're updating the annual Top Apps for Planning list, and we want your input.

March 14, 2018 - Planetizen

2017 Apps

The Best Planning Apps for 2017

A list of mobile apps that support planning, as part of an annual update. Learn about exciting new ways to explore cities and enhance planning via mobile apps. Please feel free to add your own favorites.

January 4, 2017 - Jennifer Evans-Cowley

Map and Phone Navigation

The Best Planning Apps for 2016

A list of mobile apps that support planning, as part of an annual update. Learn about exciting new ways to explore cities and enhance planning via mobile apps. Please feel free to add your own favorites.

January 4, 2016 - Jennifer Evans-Cowley

Social Media Apps

The Best Planning Apps for 2015

A list of mobile apps that support planning, as part of an annual update. Learn about exciting new ways to explore cities and enhance planning via mobile apps. Please feel free to add your own favorites.

December 28, 2014 - Jennifer Evans-Cowley

A stream of mobile apps

The Best Planning Apps for 2014

We have compiled a list of mobile apps to support planning, as part of our annual update. Learn about exciting new ways to explore cities and enhance planning via mobile apps. Please feel free to add your own favorites.

January 11, 2014 - Jennifer Evans-Cowley

There's a Planning App for That

For my annual update of the apps that support planning I've compiled a list of the latest applications for sharing information, visualizations, sensing, predicting, supporting decision making, crowdsourcing, and engaging.

January 25, 2013 - Jennifer Evans-Cowley

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.