Technology

How is Technology Transforming the American City?

For a feature on Technology and the City, Architectural Record examines how the digital economy and tech culture are transforming Chattanooga, Detroit, Austin, and San Francisco. Many changes are welcome, but can urban success become too successful?

October 3, 2013 - Architectural Record

California Becomes More EV-Friendly With 6 New Laws

Gov. Jerry Brown showed his support for electric vehicles (EVs), clean air, and reducing carbon emissions with the signing of six bills. In addition to EVs, all clean cars will benefit, including plug-in hybrids, FCVs and natural gas-powered.

October 3, 2013 - San Francisco Chronicle

Have Internet, Will Travel—Just Not By Car

A new report from the U.S. PIRG Education Fund looks at how innovations in technology and social networking are changing the country's transportation landscape, and contributing to the decline in driving.

October 2, 2013 - The Atlantic Cities

Top 10 Civic-Minded Companies

A ranking of the 10 most civic-minded companies holds some surprises -- mainly that the list is dominated by financial services firms.

September 30, 2013 - Future Cities

New Book Delivers Lessons for Utilizing New Media

Are your marketing strategies in need of a "New Media" refresh? Steve Mouzon's new e-book, New Media for Designers + Builders gets two thumbs up from Susan Henderson and Hazel Borys.

September 29, 2013 - PlaceShakers

street sign in Raleigh showing length of walk to train station

Get Your City Walking With DIY Wayfinding

The creator of a lauded guerrilla wayfinding project for Raleigh has launched a new website that allows users to duplicate his compelling signage for their communities.

September 28, 2013 - Pop-Up City

Can L.A.'s New Mayor Drag the City's Operations Into the Digital Era?

With a goal of improving the quality of life for the city's residents, Los Angeles Mayor Eric Garcetti is embarking on a titanic task: using technology, transparency, and accountability to transform the city's "lumbering" bureaucracy.

September 27, 2013 - Los Angeles Times

Smart Meters Spill Your Secrets and Utilities Respond

The millions of smart meters and grid sensors in operation across North America are providing a flood of information that utilities are still struggling to process. But changes in operations are already emerging, and potential uses grow by the day.

September 25, 2013 - The Wall Street Journal

How Metadata is Changing Architectural History

Gabrielle Esperdy explores the development of an online encyclopedia of American architecture — and argues that metadata is a crucial tool for future historians.

September 24, 2013 - Places Journal

EPA Power Plant Rule Hinges on Unproven Technology

In order for new coal power plants to meet the EPA's new rules for reduced emissions, they will have to rely on unproven carbon capture and storage (or sequester) technologies, putting the legality of the rule in doubt.

September 24, 2013 - The New York Times - Energy & Environment

Urban Farming: Coming to a Mall Near You?

If an upscale mall in Shanghai is any indication, Prada and Gucci may have a new competitor to contend with: a storefront farm, complete with seasonal produce and a pig pen.

September 23, 2013 - Inhabitat

Cities Hit Back at 'Patent Troll'

City transit authorities are fighting back against a notorious non-practicing entity, or patent troll.

September 22, 2013 - Future Cities

Rideshare Industry Gets a Lift With New California Regulations

On Wednesday, California became the first state in the nation to adopt rules for ridesharing. Several cities (including New York, L.A., and D.C.) have struggled to tame the bourgeoning industry amid protests by entrenched taxi interest groups.

September 20, 2013 - Los Angeles Times

An image of a 3D city block generated by ESRI CityEngine software

Build A 3D City Model Within Minutes

ESRI's CityEngine software enables 3D modeling of urban environments. The forthcoming version of the software will enable developers to use the 3D city modeling technology in their own software.

September 13, 2013 - ComputerWorld

Pilot Program Will Monitor Car Computers to Fix New York Streets

A pilot program operated by New York's DOT will gather data from 500 city motorists' vehicles in order to find problematic city streets and help drivers reduce their gas use and increase their safety.

September 12, 2013 - The Wall Street Journal

Are We There Yet? A Status Update on the Cities of the Future

PlanIT Valley, Masdar City, Songdo - the names of these bold visions elicit past promises of a smart and sustainable future. Eric Jaffe rounds up the latest news on the progress of the world's new urban utopias.

September 11, 2013 - The Atlantic Cities

The Mixed Blessing of Hosting a World Expo

Some of the world's iconic landmarks -- like the Eiffel Tower and Montreal's Biosphere -- have been borne from world's expositions. Expos can highlight cities' progress and offer an economic boost, but accompanying costs can overshadow the benefits.

September 8, 2013 - The New York Times

Mapping Silicon Valley's Clandestine Private Transit Network

Project to map corporate shuttle routes of Silicon Valley giants such as Apple, Google, & Facebook, outlines the forces behind gentrification in San Francisco and reveals a startling pattern of reverse sprawl.

September 7, 2013 - Wired

Red transmilenio bus stopped at station in Bogota

10 Most Innovative Sustainable Cities Recognized

Siemens and C40 have announced the winners of the inaugural City Climate Leadership Awards, recognizing the global cities demonstrating leadership and innovation in fighting climate change across ten separate categories.

September 7, 2013 - Fast Company Co.Exist

Google's Photo Share Takes You Where It's Street View Cannot Go

Android app enables users with smartphones to take panoramic photos of remote places to share on Google Photo Sphere.

September 5, 2013 - Los Angeles 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.