Algorithms

Photo of cars on two-way separated highway with illustrated lines between them indicating tech-driven decisions

How Autonomous Cars Could Impact Energy Use

The complex algorithms used by self-driving vehicle technology use massive amounts of energy, which could lead to a steep rise in carbon emissions as autonomous cars become more commonplace.

February 2, 2023 - Dezeen

Multicolored four-story brick New York City apartment buildings with fire escapes

Is an Algorithm Driving Up New York City Rents?

While landlords and boosters are touting a ‘flood’ of returning residents to the city as the reason behind rising housing costs, one New Yorker doesn’t buy it.

February 1, 2023 - Curbed

Masks and Home Sales

Zillow's 'iBuying' Algorithms Overpaid For Homes

After investing more than $1 billion in buying homes over the last few years, Zillow has ended its 'iBuying' experiment as anticipated profits fail to materialize.

November 8, 2021 - Curbed

Suburban Neighborhood

Algorithms Can Design Buildings Now

Introducing "algorithmic space planning." The last word in that phrase shows that planners should take notice of the new technology just as much as architects and engineers.

July 11, 2019 - Architect Magazine

Home Sold Sign

Zillow to Start Flipping Homes in California

Tech companies that use algorithms to make rapid offers on a large scale are growing players in the U.S. housing market.

December 19, 2018 - Los Angeles Times

Virginia Toll Lanes

Capitalism at Work on an Interstate Highway

Traffic speeds during the peak eastbound commute on the 66 Express Lanes Inside the Beltway have dropped to 35 mph. "Toll-tweaking" and changing the algorithm are achieving limited success on this dynamically-tolled stretch.

June 12, 2018 - WTOP

Old Timey Ticky Tacky

Could Algorithms Best Architects in Designing Variety for the Suburbs?

What if an algorithm could meet the needs of the economic system driving suburban housing development while also designing more diverse building types? One architect has already experimented with this provocative thought experiment.

March 23, 2017 - Co.Design

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.