Technology

A rendering of a woman wearing a virtual reality headset, swiping through virtual reality landscapes.

Why The Metaverse Will Be Bad For Cities

The renaming of Los Angeles's Staples Center to Crypto.com Arena may seem like an innocuous promotional gambit. But it means that cities are now in competition with a seductive virtual world.

December 17, 2021 - CommonEdge Collaborative

Washington State Electric Car Infrastructure

Biden Administration Plans for 500,000 Electric Vehicle Charging Stations

The Biden administration this week took ambitious steps toward a new era of automobile transportation in the United States.

December 15, 2021 - E&E News

Lyft

What Are Transportation Network Companies?

Transportation Network Companies (TNCs), provide on-demand transportation services through app-based platforms to create a new level of convenience for riders—and a host of challenges for policymakers and regulators.

December 14, 2021 - Diana Ionescu

Sunstar electric bikes displayed during the japanese festival in Geneva on the 7th october 2012

Why Are U.S. Policymakers Ignoring Electric Bikes?

The singular focus on EVs is making U.S. cities miss out on the opportunity to promote e-bikes as a more efficient and sustainable transportation mode.

December 14, 2021 - Treehugger

Noise

Using Tech to Control Noise Pollution

Several cities are piloting programs that use machine learning to identify and understand urban noise patterns and enforce noise ordinances.

December 13, 2021 - Bloomberg CityLab

Electric Cars

Study: EV Adoption Isn't Enough. Car-Centric Culture Needs To Change.

The focus on electrifying personal vehicles misses the opportunity to transform urban transportation systems, reduce congestion, and make cities more affordable.

December 13, 2021 - Fast Company

Empty Retail

Opinion: 'Instant' Delivery Services Could Decimate Street Vitality

The race to deliver goods at lightning speed has the potential to create 'dark cities' as street-level storefronts give way to closed-off warehouses only frequented by delivery workers.

December 10, 2021 - Bloomberg CityLab

Virgin Trains USA

Bike Share Coming to West Palm Beach

A new bike share system will bring 170 bikes to West Palm Beach as part of Brightline's new suite of door-to-door mobility options.

December 6, 2021 - Mass Transit

The New York Public Library's stone lions Patience and Fortitude have donned face masks to remind New Yorkers to wear face coverings during the COVID-19 pandemic.

The Top Urban Planning Books of 2021

Planetizen's annual list of the top urban planning books of the year is here—maintaining a tradition that dates back to 2002.

November 26, 2021 - James Brasuell

Rancho Seco Nuclear Generating Station

Bill Gates' Nuclear Power Company Takes Giant Step in Cowboy State

A Wyoming coal power plant will be transformed by a company backed by Microsoft co-founder Bill Gates to run on nuclear power. With the signing of the bipartisan infrastructure act, $1.5 billion will help produce zero-emission power by 2028

November 24, 2021 - CNBC

Sunstar electric bikes displayed during the japanese festival in Geneva on the 7th october 2012

The E-Bike Boom Continues

The popularity of electric bikes doesn't seem to be waning as the devices outpace electric car sales by almost two to one.

November 21, 2021 - The New York Times

An image of President Joe Biden at a meeting in the White House while wearing a mask in February 2021.

More Details of the $1.2 Trillion Federal Infrastructure Bill

There's plenty of room for analysis and discussion in a $1.2 trillion bill, so Planetizen's coverage of the historic bill continues.

November 21, 2021 - James Brasuell

Wide shot of bridge overpasses under construction at the intersection of GA 400 and I-285 on July 22, 2019 in Atlanta, GA.

Key Details of the $1.2 Trillion Federal Infrastructure Bill

With President Joe Biden scheduled to sign the Infrastructure Investment and Jobs Act today in Washington, D.C., Planetizen shares insight into the fine print of the historic bill.

November 15, 2021 - James Brasuell

Red Light Camera

First Speed Camera Installed in Gwinnett County

A new speed camera program aims to decrease traffic collisions near schools and make it easier for the police to fine speeding drivers.

November 10, 2021 - The Atlanta Journal-Constitution

Broadway Bike Lane

Faster E-Bikes Pose Regulation Dilemma

As a growing number of devices fall outside of traditional vehicle classes, policymakers must decide how to classify and regulate high-speed e-bikes.

November 9, 2021 - Bloomberg CityLab

Smart City

Mayors Define the 'Smart City'

As the pandemic forces cities to redefine their priorities, mayors around the country express their plans and hopes for technology and the 'smart city' of the future.

November 8, 2021 - Smart Cities Dive

Masks and Home Sales

Zillow's 'iBuying' Algorithms Overpaid For Homes

After investing more than $1 billion in buying homes over the last few years, Zillow has ended its 'iBuying' experiment as anticipated profits fail to materialize.

November 8, 2021 - Curbed

EV charging station with cars at TNB Research, Kajang, Hulu Langat, Selangor, Malaysia

Making The Switch To EVs Requires Robust Charging Infrastructure

With more states outlawing the sales of gas-powered vehicles and the federal government setting ambitious electrification goals, now is the time to invest in critical charging infrastructure.

November 5, 2021 - Slate

Rendering of 100-home 3D-printed community

World's Largest 3D-Printed Community Planned In Austin

The process aims to reduce labor hours and material waste, dramatically cutting construction costs for new housing.

November 3, 2021 - The Architect's Newspaper

Parking

Condo for Cars Planned in Toronto

Car condos are coming to North America's largest cities—first New York and now Toronto.

October 31, 2021 - Toronto Star

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.