Technology

Geoengineering the Problem of Climate Change

This piece from The Atlantic looks at the emerging concept of "geoengineering" -- a set ideas that seek solutions to climate change by manipulating the environment.

July 23, 2009 - The Atlantic

Open City Data, But How Much?

Opening city data to the public was a relatively new idea when the District of Columbia began publishing its data streams online recently. As applications using the data developed, some in the District got a little weary of the idea.

July 22, 2009 - Washington Monthly

Study Showing Danger of Cellphone Driving Buried

The former head of the NHTSA has admitted that he was encouraged to bury the results of a study showing the mounting risk of cellphone use by drivers. The study is being released today under a Freedom of Information Act request.

July 21, 2009 - The New York Times

A Bus-Powering, Rider-Paying Bike Share System

A new city bike sharing design concept not only gives people access to bikes, but also provides power for the local bus system and even pays riders to do it.

July 16, 2009 - The Christian Science Monitor

The Promise of Portugal

The Portuguese Coast is one of the most energetic in the world, and is the first country to have a commercial-scale wave energy device in the water. Now, they're planning a "pilot zone" for expanding the technology.

July 13, 2009 - Renewable Energy World

London Buses Going Green

London's iconic red double-decker buses are going green.

July 12, 2009 - Wired

No Community Pool? Go Dumpster Diving!

Artists in Brooklyn are filling a void by converting construction dumpsters into swimming pools.

July 10, 2009 - Ready Made

Thousands of Crimes Not Displaying on LAPD Crime Map

The Los Angeles Police Department's crime-tracking website has been omitting thousands of violent crimes. 40% of crimes reported so far in 2009 are not included in the public website.

July 10, 2009 - Los Angeles Times

Why Broadband and Telecommuting Are Transportation Issues

Telecommuting should be considered an aspect of transportation, according to this piece from New Geography.

July 10, 2009 - New Geography

Nuisance Reporting Via iPhone

A new application for iPhones seeks to make it easier for Boston residents to report minor nuisances like potholes and busted street lights.

July 8, 2009 - The Boston Globe

Designing a City on the Sea

Winners have been announced in an open competition to design what could become a permanent, sea-based, autonomous living facility.

July 6, 2009 - Bustler

Make Your Own Bike Lane

A new device called LightLane attaches to the back of your bike and projects a virtual bike lane behind you.

July 3, 2009 - H2OVisions

Ways to Retrofit the City

You don't have to tear a city down to make it green, according to this piece from the Boston Globe, which offers some emerging ideas.

June 29, 2009 - The Boston Globe

D.C. Bus Gets Real-Time Locator Application

A new web-based application that tracks the location of Washington D.C.'s Circulator bus has been released.DCist reports.

June 29, 2009 - DCist

Ownership of Bus Arrival Data Disputed

The story of how an iPhone application charting public transit arrival times led to as-yet-unanswered questions about who owns this public data -- or whether it can be owned at all.

June 29, 2009 - SF Appeal

City Styrofoam Bans Send Food Packaging Industry Scrambling

More than 30 cities and counties in California have passed some form of a ban on the use of polystyrene containers, and a new state law under consideration, AB 1358, would ban the use of polystyrene foam and non-recyclable food containers statewide.

June 29, 2009 - The Planning Report

Kunstler Says "Too Late" For High-Speed Rail

Returning from CNU, James Howard Kunstler reacts to a NY Times article about California's high-speed rail plans, and reflects on New Urbanism's shift away from traditional-neighborhood developments and into preparing for the 'long emergency'.

June 23, 2009 - Kunstler.com

Meter Maids Get New Tool

A new technology in use in Sacramento, CA snaps pics of cars' tires and compares them on the next sweep, increasing the number of time violators caught.

June 21, 2009 - The Seattle Times

The High Cost of Internet Access

The City of Sherwood, Oregon has invested $1.55 million in broadband fiberoptic cable, promising internet access for all and a system that would pay for itself. So far, it hasn't quite worked out that way.

June 18, 2009 - The Oregonian

Parkour Enthusiasts Rediscover The American City

While urbanists have long used the built environment as their playground, the French sport of parkour is connecting residents of America's cities to their surroundings in a new, if not extreme manner.

June 18, 2009 - Philadelphia Inquirer

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.