Josh Stephens

Boston Subway Tremont Construction

The Original Big Digs

The gridlock in American cities today doesn't compare to the crush on streets in Boston and New York City in the mid- to late-1800s. In The Race Underground, Doug Most chronicles the occasionally synchronous development of the nation’s first subways.

April 10, 2014 - Josh Stephens

Top Books

Top 10 Books - 2014

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

Top 10 Books - 2012

Planetizen’s tenth annual list of the best books in urban planning, design and development ranges from a crowdsourced compendium of ideas for upgrading New York City's built environment to a personal report from the streets of Karachi.

November 21, 2011 - Michael Dudley

Every City For Itself: Adapting to Climate Change

What cities are best prepared for climate change, and which will falter? Josh Stephens reviews Climatopolis: How Our Cities Will Thrive in a Hotter Future by Matthew Kahn.

April 7, 2011 - Josh Stephens

Placemaking for Pot Smoking

Potential legalization of marijuana presents California cities the chance to do a different type of 'greening.' Josh Stephens reports on the land use challenges of regulating California's most lucrative crop.

June 28, 2010 - Josh Stephens

State Seeks 1.5 Million Missing People in 2010 Census

How many people live in California? The current count could be off by 1.5 million people, and a lot is riding on the results of the 2010 Census. Josh Stephens talks to planners and state leaders about the flaws in the Census and how they'll shape state policy.

April 8, 2010 - Josh Stephens

Starchitecture and Sustainability: Hope, Creativity, and Futility Collide in Contemporary Architecture

Can today's contemporary architects, schooled in modernism and invention, in fact incorporate the sort of green building materials and techniques that make a real difference? And does design really matter? Josh Stephens takes a look.

November 1, 2009 - Josh Stephens

Histories of No History: Commodification and Urbanization in the American West

Josh Stephens reviews two biographies of cities, The Dallas Myth: The Making and Unmaking of An American City and Reno’s Big Gamble: Image and Reputation in the Biggest Little City.

June 1, 2009 - Josh Stephens

Breaking Down the Big Box

October 9, 2008 - Josh Stephens

Small Town Apocalyptic Values

Josh Stephens reviews James Howard Kunstler's novel of post-peak oil existence, World Made By Hand.

July 24, 2008 - Josh Stephens

Black-Tie Optional: 'Stepsister' Cities Flourish in the Shadows

Say you're a big city. But right next door is an even bigger big city. What do you do to stand out? Josh Stephens explores the unique plight of America's so-called stepsister cities.

April 14, 2008 - Josh Stephens

The City as Factory

February 11, 2008 - Josh Stephens

Modernism In Fragments

Nathan Glazer's From a Cause to a Style: Modernist Architecture's Encounter with the American City reveals how this influential social movement's good intentions shaped the look of the 20th century.

September 24, 2007 - Josh Stephens

Book Review - 'Sprawl: A Compact History'

June 13, 2006 - Josh Stephens

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.