Technology

Online Wiki Unveiled For Boston Bike Safety

In an effort to help Boston bikers ride safely, an online "wiki" has been unveiled that uses mapping software to identify the safest and most dangerous routes in the city.

May 21, 2007 - The Boston Globe

Online Social Networking For Carpoolers

A new website promises to link eco-conscious commuters who are looking to carpool to work.

May 18, 2007 - Cambridge Chronicle

City's 3D Model Is A New Planning Tool

A virtual 3D model of parts of Glasgow, Scotland, has been completed and is now available for viewing online. Organizers of the detailed modeling effort anticipate it being a powerful tool for planners and the public.

May 14, 2007 - BBC

Public Participation Is Just A Click Away

More and more suburban Illinois communities are streaming their public hearings over the web, enabling more people to follow their local democratic process -- a trend being seen across the country.

May 11, 2007 - The Chicago Tribune

Do Broadband And New Urbanism Go Hand In Hand?

Speaking at a technology related conference, Andres Duany talks about how the rise of high-speed internet connections and telecommuting has increased the importance of social activity created by traditional neighborhood design.

May 2, 2007 - Fort Wayne Journal Gazette

Virtual World's Top 'Real Estate' Developers

Several of Second Life's most successful entrepreneurs making real money in a virtual world are "real estate" developers.

April 20, 2007 - Business Week

Toxic Sites Mapped With Google And EPA Data

Combining Google's satellite mapping technology and the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency's dearth of pollution and contamination data, new web applications let users map out toxic and contaminated sites.

April 16, 2007 - The San Francisco Chronicle

Memphis Newspaper Launches Online Crime-Tracking Website

On its MemphisCrimeStories.com site, the Memphis Commercial-Appeal utilizes GIS technology to allow residents to plug in their street name or zip code and see recently reported crimes in their areas.

April 14, 2007 - Memphis Commercial-Appeal

Pumping System Brings Back Midwest Wetlands

A navigation channeling project started in the early 1900s destroyed more than 300,000 acres of midwest wetlands. Now, a new pumping system on the Mississippi River is reviving the wetlands and rejuvenating their wildlife populations.

April 13, 2007 - St. Louis Post-Dispatch

Citizens Use Second Life For Public Input On Design

A residents' association in Paris is inviting locals to share their ideas about redeveloping a garden and public space in the center of the city by creating them in the virtual reality world Second Life.

April 11, 2007 - BBC

Massive Flooding Drowns Online World

To raise awareness of global warming, a massive sea level change was staged in the online virtual reality world "Second Life" that flooded areas such as London and Tokyo -- similar to what scientists predict could occur within this century.

April 6, 2007 - National Geographic News

Free Internet In The Rainforest

The Brazilian government plans to provide free satellite internet access to indigenous rainforest communities in an effort to improve communication between the groups and authorities with the goal of protecting the rainforests.

April 1, 2007 - BBC

Overnight Recovery For New Orleans In Google Map

Google has replaced current maps of New Orleans with pre-Katrina satellite images on its Google Maps website.

March 31, 2007 - The Washington Post

Homeowners' Association Thwarts Efforts At Energy Conservation

An Arizona home owner's association fines a resident for installing a solar-powered heater arguing that the appearance of the device violates the subdivision's deed restrictions.

March 29, 2007 - The Arizona Republic

Bush Administration Puts Money Behind Implementing Congestion Pricing

In one of the clearest directives to states yet, an FHWA official stated publicly that they want to award money to highway departments to actually implement -- not simply study -- congestion pricing.

March 27, 2007 - The Advocate (Stamford, CT)

The Future of Cities As Told In Belgrade

Bruce Sterling gives an insightful tour around the city of Belgrade and explores the transformation and pressures brought about by globalization.

March 25, 2007 - YouTube

Peer-to-Peer Networking... For Traffic

Just like it's possible to share files using peer-to-peer networking, a German research group envisions enabling cars and bikes to share useful traffic and road condition information with other vehicles.

March 19, 2007 - Chris Steins

Ridesharing With The 'Net

An Internet networking site intended to help people organize rideshares is being unveiled in the Minneapolis-St. Paul metro area, and many local officials hope the ease of arranging rides via the Internet will encourage more shared rides.

March 14, 2007 - Minneapolis Star-Tribune

How Free Wi-Fi Could Change The City

Will Mayor Antonio Villaraigosa's plan to provide free wireless access really benefit Los Angeles?

March 14, 2007 - The Los Angeles Times

Google's Virtual City

A detailed 3D model of Berlin has been added to the program Google Earth, enabling visitors to "walk" through the virtual city and many of its historic sites and buildings. The city and Google expect further integration, with virtual stores and more.

March 12, 2007 - Der Spiegel

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.