Technology

Mobile Phone-Enabled Train Tickets Coming to Chicago's Metra

Mobile phones are doubling for tickets onto airplanes and into concerts all over the world. Why not commuter trains too?

October 19, 2014 - Chicago Tribune

Friday Eye Candy: Everyday Everywhere

#Everydayeverywhere is an Instagram hashtag connecting ordinary photographs from all over the world, which Nicole Crowder covered recently for the Washington Post's photography blog, In Sight.

October 17, 2014 - The Washington Post

Advantages and Disadvantages of Three Online Engagement Approaches

With advancements in the infrastructure and design of websites comes new ways to engage the public. In this article, Karin Brandt, CEO and co-founder of coUrbanize, details what to consider when launching a civic engagement platform.

October 13, 2014 - Karin Brandt

How the Federal Government Can Support Innovation Districts

A new report by Bruce Katz of Brookings Institute discusses the federal government’s role in spurring and aiding the innovation districts found in many cities across the country today.

October 11, 2014 - Brookings Institution

Study Rates Car 'Infotainment Systems' for Levels of Distraction

A study conducted by the AAA Foundation for Traffic Safety assessed the mental demands required of six hands-free, in-vehicle systems dialing phones and changing radio stations.

October 11, 2014 - Chicago Tribune

Awarding the Best Government Websites

Looking for the best examples of municipal websites? Look no further.

October 9, 2014 - Government Technology

Rooftop Solar Panels

Mapping the Solar Potential of Every Roof

A new app out of MIT provides property owners with detailed information about the solar potential of their roofs. The app is currently at work in five cities.

October 8, 2014 - CleanTechnica

A New Buzzword for Changing Cities: 'Trust'

Christopher Swope writes of the emergence of the word "trust" in the buzzy lexicon of urbanism.

October 8, 2014 - Citiscope

Newest Fuel Cell Vehicles: Trains!

Alstom Transport uses technology similar to that of hydrogen fuel cell automobiles. Railway Gazette reports that German rail authorities hope to develop Zero Emission Trains by purchasing fuel cell trainsets.

October 6, 2014 - Railway Gazette

End of the rainbow

Three Technological Innovations that Could End Asphalt as We Know it

As more municipalities are shutting off lights for energy savings, technological innovations are leading the way in new lighting and paving systems to make up for these economic and environmental constraints.

October 4, 2014 - Woodhouse

How the Sharing Economy Masks an Economic Crisis

Evgeny Morozov, a researcher on the political and social implications of technology, critiques the less-hyped implications of the emerging sharing economy.

October 4, 2014 - The Guardian

Economists Give Uber and Lyft a Resounding Thumbs Up

A recent survey of the Initiative on Global Markets Economic Experts Panel found clear and broad support for the economic benefits of transportation network companies.

October 2, 2014 - The Initiative on Global Markets

AT&T Planning for Growth of 'Connected Car' Market

AT&T is predicting a growth market for wholesale customer relationships with car manufacturers.

October 1, 2014 - Atlanta Business Chronicle

Mobile Apps to Inspire Walking

Bill Lindeke examines a few examples of mobile technology that encourage citizens to ditch their cars and walk. Could these technologies inspire the cultural side of the equation needed for widespread adoption of walkability?

September 29, 2014 - MinnPost

Neuroscience and Landscape Architecture

Two new studies use EEG and fMRI to pinpoint which elements of urban parks and gardens induce brain activity associated with meditative states.

September 26, 2014 - Next City

New Mobile Phone Charging Stations Powered By Kinetic Energy

Combining both solar power and kinetic energy, the first public phone charging station of its kind was recently installed at Webster University in St. Louis, Missouri.

September 26, 2014 - Fast Co.Exist

Gov. Jerry Brown Touts California's Success at U.N. Climate Summit

Leonardo DiCaprio may have received top billing, but Jerry Brown spoke as well on the actions of the Golden State to combat climate change under his watch. Two days earlier, he signed six bills to increase sales of electric vehicles.

September 26, 2014 - Sacramento Bee

The Race to Map Brazil's Favelas

In an effort to tap into new users, companies like Google and Microsoft are racing to map the winding, informal streets of Brazil's slums in Rio de Janeiro.

September 25, 2014 - The Wall Street Journal

6 Questions to Consider for Digital Public Engagement Planning

Digital engagement is the latest buzz when it comes to public participation. If your town is thinking about diving into the digital realm, consider these six questions.

September 25, 2014 - CommunityMatters

A New, Flexible System for Congestion Pricing

Researchers at MIT have developed a new, flexible congestion pricing system.

September 25, 2014 - Wired

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.

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.