Urban Planners

Urban Careers

Embedded Planning Movement Gains Traction

Jonathan Pacheco Bell chronicles the growth of a movement he created.

May 24, 2019 - UrbDeZine

Pedestrians

Self-Driving Cars Still Can't Recognize the Difference Between a Wedding Planner and an Urban Planner

Pundits agree that planners need to prepare for self-driving cars. Self-driving cars still need to prepare for planners.

April 1, 2019 - Planetizen April 1st Edition

Voting

Should Planners Run for Public Office?

In an opinion piece bemoaning the passage of legislation that gives the BART board new land use planning authority, BART Director Deborah Allen argues that planners won't make good directors because they lack independence.

October 12, 2018 - East Bay Times

South Central Los Angeles

What Community-Based Zoning Enforcement Looks Like in South Central Los Angeles

Passion for urban planning, love of South Central LA communities, and historical background of the neighborhoods combine in this personal account by Jonathan P. Bell of community-based zoning enforcement.

February 6, 2018 - UrbDeZine

Scott Pruitt

Pressure on Trump Administration to Release Climate Report

Scientist are concerned that a congressionally mandated climate assessment, originally authorized under President George H.W. Bush, may not be released by the Trump Administration because it contradicts their rejection of climate science.

August 10, 2017 - The New York Times

Last Minute Gift Ideas for the Plannerd in Your Life

For those searching for gifts for the "plannerds" in their life, Los Angeles County planner Clement Lau comes through with some ideas sure to bring good tidings.

December 22, 2014 - UrbDeZine

Relaxation

Eight Ways Planners Can Rest and Rejuvenate

Few people escape on-the-job stress, but LA County Planner Clement Lau has some tips for his cohorts designed to help them recover from the pressures of work.

October 20, 2014 - UrbDeZine

"Facts Don't Speak for Themselves"

Lisa Hollingsworth-Segedy, AICP, explains why being able to tell a good story about plans and development is more valuable than any maps or pretty renderings.

July 25, 2011 - Planning Commissioners Journal

The "Trivial Profession" of Urban Planning

In the new book of essays Reconsidering Jane Jacobs, Thomas J. Campanella says that noteworthy to practicing planners in 2011 is the final essay by Thomas J. Campanella wonders if urban planning is at risk of becoming trivial.

June 15, 2011 - South Bend Examiner

Friday Funny: How to Pick Up an Urban Planner

Cartoonist Emily says that urban planners are "some of the sexiest, smartest, wittiest individuals you'll ever meet," and offers these tips for sly pickup lines that can't miss with the planning crowd.

May 27, 2011 - Tim Halbur

Is "Urban Planner" One of the Best Careers of 2011?

Once again, US News and World Report singles out the world of planning as one of the best careers for the coming year. But the online comments tell another story.

December 20, 2010 - US News and World Report

Urban Planner: A Top Career for 2010

U.S. News and World Report has named urban planning one of its 50 top careers for 2010.

December 31, 2009 - U.S. News And World Report

Brainstorm: Who Are the Top Urban Thinkers?

Planetizen is creating a list of the most important people who have shaped urban places, and we want to know what you think. Vote on people nominated by the Planetizen community, or suggest your own. The polls close September 7.

August 6, 2009 - Planetizen

Americans Prefer Sprawl-Light

NYT columnist David Brooks compares the dreams for a more compact, less car-dependent lifestyle of many urban planners with the findings of a Pew Research poll on the types of communities Americans want to live in, and they are not like Amsterdam.

February 17, 2009 - The New York Times

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.

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.