Top Books

Making room for more housing, fixing broken sidewalks, and our favorite books of the year.

January 2, 2025 - Diana Ionescu

Top of mind in 2024 were the far-reaching impacts of climate displacement, zoning as a solution to the housing crisis, and the potential for safer roads and better public transit in American cities.

December 19, 2024 - Planetizen Team

The world is changing, and planning with it.

November 24, 2023 - Planetizen Team

An annual list of the must-read books related to urban planning and its intersecting fields.

November 28, 2022 - James Brasuell

Planetizen's annual list of the top urban planning books of the year is here—maintaining a tradition that dates back to 2002.

November 26, 2021 - James Brasuell

The public health crisis of the coronavirus pandemic upended all the normal day-today routines this year. At least there are plenty of great urban planning books to read.

November 30, 2020 - Josh Stephens

These 14 books, selected by Planetizen for lasting relevance and excellence in research and rhetoric, will continue to define the ambitions and the shortcomings of the urban planning field in the decade that was the 2010s.

December 2, 2019 - James Brasuell

The decade wraps up with another engaging crop of highly readable and recommendable books on the subject of urban planning. There's a lot to learn, on many related subjects, among this year's top planning books.

November 26, 2019 - Josh Stephens

Planetizen's annual list of top books covers subjects in all varieties of planning: urban planning, community planning, environmental planning, and more.

November 26, 2018 - Josh Stephens

Planetizen is pleased to release its list of the best books published in 2017 on the subjects of planning, design, and development.

November 30, 2017 - Josh Stephens

Planetizen is pleased to release its list of the best books published in 2016 on the subjects of planning, design, and development.

November 30, 2016 - James Brasuell and Josh Stephens

Planetizen is pleased to release its list of the ten best books in urban planning, design, and development published in 2015.

December 12, 2015 - James Brasuell and Josh Stephens

Next City has published a list of ten "great picture books" that explore urban life for the curious and imaginative children in your life.

January 10, 2015 - Next City

Planetizen is pleased to release its list of the ten best books in urban planning, design, and development published in 2014.

December 8, 2014 - James Brasuell

Looking for an urbanist reading list that drops the non in non-fiction? Look no further.

December 1, 2014 - Next City

Planetizen is pleased to release its twelfth annual list of the ten best books in urban planning, design and development published in 2013.

December 11, 2013 - Jonathan Nettler

Planetizen is pleased to release its ninth annual list of the ten best books in urban planning, design and development published in 2010. This year's selection includes some big names, some big ideas -- and a book called "Toilet."

November 22, 2010 - Abhijeet Chavan