Technology

Downtown Pittsburgh Sees Value in Going Green

Sixty-one of downtown Pittsburgh's largest property owners commit to cutting energy, water and transportation consumption by 50% over the next 18 years.

August 24, 2012 - Pittsburgh Post-Gazette

Open Data Brings Power to the People

As the ways in which cities across the U.S. are utilizing the web continues to increase, open data is changing the way citizens interact with their government. Philadelphia is one city using information to level the power playing field.

August 24, 2012 - Next American City

Talking Cars Get Test Drive in Michigan

No this isn't about a gathering of "Knight Rider" enthusiasts. Rather than speaking to their leather jacket-clad drivers, the cars being tested in Michigan communicate with each other, with the goal of improving safety on the nation’s highways.

August 22, 2012 - The New York Times

Adapting Outreach Strategies for Changing Internet Use

Chris Haller parses the data in a recent report on Internet use for implications for how communities should manage their public outreach strategies.

August 22, 2012 - Engaging Cities

The World's Biggest Tweeters

Richard Florida looks at the results of a recent study of the world cities that tweet the most. While the top city might surprise you, it didn't surprise Florida's colleague at the University of Toronto.

August 17, 2012 - The Atlantic Cities

I.B.M. Invests in Future of Africa's Cities

Steve Lohr reports on the new I.B.M. research lab in Kenya, which will work to tailor technological solutions to the prominent issues in Africa's major cities.

August 16, 2012 - The New York Times

Is the Cleaning of Superfund Sites Causing More Harm than Good?

Three decades after it was established, the EPA's Superfund program is taking on some of the most complex and costly projects ever attempted. With many focused underwater, some worry the stirring up of polluted sediment will exacerbate the problem.

August 15, 2012 - The New York Times

Is Crowdfunding Inherently Unfair?

Ethan Zuckerman pens a thought provoking piece on the potential downsides of crowdfunding public improvement projects. Is there a way to avoid the unequal and government-shrinking effects of funding public projects through private contribution?

August 14, 2012 - my heart's in accra

Look to China to Glimpse the Future of Cities

The era of American cities such as Chicago and New York leading the way in urban innovation went out with the close of the 20th century, says Dustin Roasa. Its China's turn to show the world what the city of the future will look like.

August 14, 2012 - Foreign Policy

Harvesting the Tides of the Bay of Fundy

Experimental efforts are being made to harness the extreme currents off Maine's coast, as underwater tidal energy turbines could soon generate power for nearby homes and businesses.

August 12, 2012 - The New York Times

New Technology May Help NYC Cut Crime, and Turn a Profit

The futuristic sounding "Domain Awareness System," NYC's newest crime fighting tool, utilizes cutting edge technology to further cut down on crime in what has become "one of the safest big metropolitan areas in America."

August 10, 2012 - The Guardian

San Francisco Launches Civic Accelerator Program to Drive Government Innovation

Mashable's Brian Solis sits down for an interview with San Francisco's CIO, or "Chief Innovative Officer," to discuss the many ways the tech community is changing the way the city's government operates.

August 9, 2012 - Mashable

Chicago Adding Protected Bike Lanes to Appeal to Young Professionals

Art Golab reports on Mayor Rahm Emanuel's plan to make Chicago "the bike friendliest city in the country," which the mayor hopes will attract and keep high tech companies and their workers. The best part? The entire city benefits!

August 8, 2012 - Chicago Sun-Times

Will Engineered Resilience Eclipse Sustainability?

Rives Taylor pens an editorial for Urban Land advocating for "engineered resilience", which he describes as "next-generation sustainability" that "adds adaptability and the protection of human life" to planning for the well-being of the planet.

August 6, 2012 - Urban Land

New Web Platform Allows You to Invest Locally

Kelsey Campbell-Dollaghan profiles Smallknot, a Kickstarter-like platform that allows local businesses to tap their neighbors for capital investments in exchange for goods and services.

August 4, 2012 - Fast Company Co.Design

4 Major U.S. Cities Publish Data for All to See

A new platform from the U.S. government serves as a central location for Chicago, New York, San Francisco, and Seattle to share their municipal data.

August 3, 2012 - Government Technology

Minnesota Courting Bicyclists' Billion-Dollar Business

With bicycling a $1 billion (with a 'B') industry in the State of Minnesota, a coalition of eight public partners are joining together to raise the profile of biking and make it easier to pedal through the already spoke-friendly state.

August 2, 2012 - Co.Design

Silicon Valley Companies Relocate To SF - Apartment Rents Skyrocket

In this pair of 'cause and effect' articles, USA Today reporters describe the many companies seeking new office and R&D sites in San Francisco, whether relocating from expensive downtown Palo Alto, the South or East Bay, or outside the state or U.S.

July 28, 2012 - USA Today

Friday Funny: Honda Helps the World Become Even Lazier

For those who thought having to stand to use a Segway required far too much exertion, Honda has introduced the Uni-Cub, a radical new way for humans to avoid ever having to be upright again.

July 27, 2012 - Los Angeles Times

Can a New App Prevent Traffic Jams?

Zak Stone spotlights a new app being tested in Germany that can predict and prevent traffic jams, and promises to reduce CO2 emissions in the process.

July 27, 2012 - Good

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.