Technology

Historic streetcar in middle of street in downtown New Orleans, Louisiana with palm trees and historic lampposts lining the street.

New Orleans Uses AI To Improve Traffic Safety

A new platform uses technology to improve traffic flow and reduce the risk of collisions with streetcars.

September 20, 2023 - Biz New Orleans

Aerial gondola car in the air overlooking the city of Medellin, Colombia.

Harnessing Data for Community Development

Using data and insights encourages the development of a community, offering an evidence-based strategy to directly address the needs within.

September 20, 2023 - Devin Partida

A hot springs in a low-lying desert area, with mountains in the distant background.

Blockchains Inc Wanted a Massive ‘Smart City’ in Nevada but Couldn’t Muster the Water Rights

California Forever isn’t the only tech-investor-driven mega-project to make news in recent weeks. Blockchains Inc had designs on remaking a massive swath of land near Reno until water got in the way.

September 19, 2023 - The Nevada Independent

Aerial view of small community among green agricultural fields and wind turbines in Solano County, Northern California.

An AI-Generated Vision of a Silicon Valley Utopia

A proposed plan to build a new city in the Bay Area is light on details and heavy on idyllic renderings.

September 10, 2023 - The Verge

AI-generated aerial view of freeway interchange with digital lines overlaid to indicate AI traffic management

Leveraging Holistic Platforms For Urban Mobility Solutions

How a ‘control tower’ approach can improve mobility and reduce congestion and emissions.

September 10, 2023 - Timothy Menard

Young male Tule elk stands on green outcrop with lake in background in California

Celebrating California's Biodiversity

This year marks the fifth annual California Biodiversity Day, established in 2018 to celebrate and encourage actions to protect the state’s exceptional biodiversity.

September 5, 2023 - California State Parks

A collection of screengrabs showing the uses of the Met-Go on-demand transit app.

On-Demand Microtransit Proves Itself in Rural Virginia

Two Virginia transit companies launched pilot projects for on-demand microtransit services in 2021, spurring record growth in ridership as a result.

September 5, 2023 - The Virginia Mercury

Girl swinging on rope swing overlooking Los Angeles

Using GIS to Advance Park Equity and Prioritize Restoration of Degraded Lands

The Los Angeles County Department of Parks and Recreation uses GIS technology to identify priority areas for land conservation and restoration as part of its 30x30 plan to fight climate change and protect biodiversity.

September 3, 2023 - Esri Blog

Construction Industry

The Materials Movement: Advancing Low-Carbon, Healthy Materials for Sustainable Communities

Every component of a building, from the concrete foundation to the paint on the walls, has an impact on human health, the climate, and ecosystems around the globe. Building materials—once overlooked in real estate’s sustainability efforts—are now bei

September 1, 2023 - Urban Land Magazine

"Municipal speed camera in use" sign

More Evidence That Speed Cameras Slow Traffic Speeds

File under: not a cash grab.

August 29, 2023 - StreetsBlog NYC

Busy traffic on a road

Leveraging the Choice Not to Travel

The pandemic accelerated the growth of remote services and telecommuting. Now is the time for urban planners to leverage these new opportunities to reduce vehicle miles traveled.

August 28, 2023 - Steven Polzin

White and red Caltrain commuter train

Rail Electrification: Caltrain adds BEMUs to its EMU Order

Caltrain, the San Francisco-to-San Jose commuter railroad, plans to begin electrified operation next year on its 49-mile mainline. A 28-mile extension south to Gilroy would continue to be served by diesel trains, with one train powered by battery.

August 24, 2023 - San Mateo Daily Journal

View of U.S capitol dome at night with blurred traffic in foreground

Opinion: D.C. Should Go All in on Traffic Cameras

More widespread deployment of automated enforcement sensors could change the system from one of high fines and sparse enforcement to one that encourages more extensive behavior change.

August 22, 2023 - Greater Greater Washington

View of natural gas power plant with two tall smokestacks on Northern California coast

Making Natural Gas Power Plants Cleaner

Carbon capture and storage has long been associated with coal-burning power plants. Calpine Corp. hopes to apply the controversial technology to existing natural gas power plants, beginning with a pilot project to start this month in the Bay Area.

August 17, 2023 - The Sacramento Bee

View from rear of white Waymo autonomous taxi van in Mountain View, California

Advice for Autonomous Cars

Drivers for Uber and Lyft in San Francisco express their concerns and advice for self-driving taxi services.

August 16, 2023 - Wired

Cruise (owned by General Motors) self driving vehicle performing tests on the city streets

California Approves Autonomous Cars Over Local Concerns

Despite repeated calls from San Francisco officials to slow the deployment of self-driving cars, a state commission approved expanded access to San Francisco streets.

August 13, 2023 - CALmatters

Glass office building with multicolored Google logo on Google headquarters campus in Mountain View, California

Google Shifts Real Estate Strategy to Adaptive Reuse

The company is moving away from flashy new campuses in favor of converting existing buildings with interesting histories.

August 11, 2023 - Fast Company

Nighttime view of fire truck and police cars with flashing lights on parked in a wet street

Dashcam Footage Shows Tesla Colliding With First Responder

The car failed to recognize the stopped emergency vehicle until just two seconds before the crash.

August 10, 2023 - The Wall Street Journal

Close-up of restaurant window with various food delivery company stickers

Uber Sees Record Ridership, Finally Posts a Profit

The ride-hailing giant posted an operating profit for the first time in its history, thanks largely in part to its successful food delivery business.

August 2, 2023 - Crain's New York Business

Close-up of person holding up phone and looking at their smart watch displaying fitness data

Using Cellphone and Fitness App Data for Park Planning

Data from smartphone apps and fitness trackers are helping planners to better understand park usage patterns and plan for new and improved parks.

July 31, 2023 - Planning Magazine

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.