Technology

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

Multicolored lines of code against a black screen.

PlanGPT: A New AI Tool Specifically for Planners

The new large learning language model could help enhance efficiency and change the way urban planners work.

March 18, 2024 - Marktechpost

Man with sunglasses and cane sits on bus stop shelter bench.

Making Trip Planning Easier for Vision-Impaired Transit Riders

The app provides navigation using audio and haptic cues to improve accessibility for people with low vision.

March 15, 2024 - Next City

White microbus with yellow stripe on rural road with empty road and blue sky in background.

Minnesota, Vermont Experiment With Rural Trip Planning Websites

Pilot programs in the two states aimed to make transit information more accessible for riders in rural areas, where on-demand and microtransit services make trip planning more complex.

March 13, 2024 - The Daily Yonder

Close-up of row of electric car charging stations in a covered garage structure

Study: How EVs Perpetuate the Harms of Car Culture

While they emit less pollution, electric cars don’t solve many urgent issues like sprawl and fine particulate pollution.

March 12, 2024 - Bloomberg CityLab

Natural gas power plant with two tall smokestacks against blue and purple sunset sky

Video: Can US Power Grid Handle AI’s Growing Energy Needs?

Are U.S. utilities and energy infrastructure prepared for the energy demand of data centers to more than double by 2030, driven largely by increased use of AI?

March 8, 2024 - Yahoo Finance

Close-up of back of white self-driving Waymo car on San Francisco street.

California Approves Waymo Driverless Taxis

Waymo’s autonomous vehicles can begin picking up passengers in Los Angeles and San Francisco in spite of opposition from local officials.

March 6, 2024 - Smart Cities Dive

Power plant infrastructure against a sky at dusk with a virtual white globe overlaid on top.

AI’s Growing Threat to Climate Justice

Emerging technologies like AI have great promise for climate innovation, but also a hidden environmental footprint could lead to disproportionate harm to low-income and marginalized communities.

February 28, 2024 - Brookings Institution

Graphic of person's hands with 2024 in middle against backdrop of city skyline and golden hour sky with rays coming through.

Planning Trends to Watch in 2024

Post-pandemic clarity — and sheer necessity — may be bringing some of the most urgent issues of recent years to a head.

February 28, 2024 - Diana Ionescu

Man on bike rides next to parked cars.

Opinion: How Vehicle-to-Everything Tech Can Protect Cyclists

The technology could enable cars and bikes to communicate and reduce collisions.

February 22, 2024 - Streetsblog USA

Aerial view of New York City architecture with augmented reality visualization, blue digital holograms over buildings and skyscrapers

4 Ways to Use AI in Urban Planning and City Design

With the ability to predict trends, engage citizens, enhance resource allocation, and guide decision-making, artificial intelligence has the potential to serve as planners’ very own multi-tool.

February 20, 2024 - ArchDaily

Screen shot of map from Wisconsin PFAS Interactive Data Viewer.

New Book Highlights How GIS Improves Outcomes

Esri Press recently published a digital book called Mapping the Nation which demonstrates how a geographic approach guides important decisions and addresses challenges around the globe.

February 20, 2024 - ESRI

Blurred image of pedestrians on busy street with 'smart city' network rendering superimposed.

Securing Smart Cities: Financial Cybersecurity in an Urban Age

Explore financial cybersecurity in smart cities, addressing urban vulnerabilities and strategies for protection.

February 15, 2024 - Devin Partida

Close-up of line of cars at electric vehicle charging station

Chicago Readies Region for EV Charging

Chicago-area municipalities can take advantage of a new grant program to prepare their infrastructure for electric vehicles.

February 14, 2024 - Energy News Network

Barren rocky landscape against teal sky.

5 Urban Planning Ideas for How to Settle Mars

Colonization of the Red Planet is a hot topic of late. If someone were to try to take it from fantasy to reality, Earth's urban planners have a few tips that could help set future Martian cities up for success.

February 12, 2024 - Justin B. Hollander

Close-up of signs being held up at climate change protest

Report: 100 Trends Urban Planners Need to Know About

APA’s third annual Trend Report for Urban Planners is out and offers a comprehensive look at potential drivers of change that could impact communities and the work of planners for decades to come.

February 11, 2024 - American Planning Association

Group of children crossing a street with a crossing guard holding up red Stop sign.

USDOT Launches AI Initiative for Complete Streets

The agency will distribute $15 million for the development of AI applications that further safe transportation infrastructure.

February 6, 2024 - Nextgov

Overhead view of white Waymo self-driving car in San Francisco, California with shared bikes and scooters visible on adjacent sidewalk.

An Approach for Managing the Risks of Autonomous Cars

As ‘robotaxis’ and other autonomous vehicles make their way onto American streets, cities can take proactive steps to mitigate risks and balance the benefits and challenges of new technology.

February 4, 2024 - Governing

Mobile Engagement

A Different Approach to Public Engagement: Use Tech to Put Residents in Planners’ Shoes

Simulators can be a useful tool to help residents think differently about challenges like housing

January 29, 2024 - Route Fifty

Bird's eye view of park with green trees, concrete walkways, and benches on lake or riverfront.

Latest Trends in Parks and Recreation

Learn about the top trends impacting parks and recreation, including the use of mobile phone data to track park usage, impacts of climate change, rise of pickleball, a four-day work week, and more.

January 22, 2024 - Parks and Recreation Magazine

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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.