Technology
Urban Planning Resources for COVID-19
Online misinformation has been unavoidable, but the Internet is also full of tools essential for understanding the changed world of COVID-19.
Los Angeles Public Schools Transition to Emergency Relief, Distance Learning
Los Angeles Unified Superintendent Austin Beutner on the extensive and unprecedented challenges the district—its students, families, faculty and staff—face in the transition to remote ‘distance learning.’
States to Train Public Health Armies to Move Beyond Mitigation to Containment
As some governors open nonessential businesses, subjecting workers and customers to potential viral infection, others move beyond social distancing to the next steps, boxing in the coronavirus with testing, contact tracing, isolation, and quarantine.
Is it Time to Revive the Pattern Language?
Software and other fields have made brilliant progress with the pattern language methodology, while built environment fields lag badly, mired in parochial debates over the massive book that invented the methodology.
Watch: The Future of Cities After COVID-19
An expert panel convened to discuss the effect of the coronavirus on the foundations of society and contemporary life. The future, both the remaining time dealing with the pandemic and after, is becoming more clear with every passing day and week.
The U.S. Passed a Clean Energy Stimulus in 2009—Can the Same Happen in 2020?
The Obama-era American Recovery and Reinvestment Act of 2009 funded clean energy and created jobs during the Great Recession. Will clean energy be considered in a future stimulus bill to mitigate economic strain cased by the coronavirus pandemic?
Concern About the Direction of the Next Federal Stimulus Bill
Congressional leaders are discussing the shape and size of the next federal stimulus bill. The following critique argues that the next bill should do more to expand testing, contact tracing, and quarantine capacity at the state level.
A Rare Chance for Urban Innovation
The realities of social distancing are allowing for innovations and experimentations with real opportunities for long-term benefit in cities, according to an article by Allison Arieff.
Ups and Downs for Self-Driving Cars During the Pandemic
While some driverless car companies have expanded operations in the past month, some industry observers caution that the business of autonomous vehicles remains stuck in neutral.
Overcoming Social Distance
People are finding new ways to connect digitally across physical spaces during the coronavirus pandemic, and these temporary solutions could have a lasting impact on the way we live.
Even Parks Are Going Online During the Pandemic
Parks departments in New York City and Pittsburgh are offering videos and livestreams to cooped-up residents.
Decision on Sidewalk Labs' Plan for Toronto Waterfront Delayed
The spread of the coronavirus has delayed one of the most closely watched planning projects in North America.
The Dots of Connectivity and Broken Cultural Links
Connectivity is not just a question of geometry, according to this article by Fanis Grammenos. It's critical to consider what people connect for and how.
Will Infrastructure Planners Become Responsible for Facial Recognition Systems?
Facial recognition offers both benefits and risks. Planners can have a role in ensuring more of the former than the latter.
Traffic Patterns Are Going to Change Drastically
While some bike-sharing systems are being shut off to reduce mobility, others are experiencing a sudden increase of demand as people avoid mass transit.
A Social Distancing Scorecard
A location data company has created a Social Distancing Scorecard to track the progress of Americans, down to the county level, in reducing travel in accordance with recommendations to reduce physical contact.
Planning Work Continues (Remotely) Amid Pandemic
While cities may be shut down, city planners have not turned off the lights. Planning departments around California, which is mostly on lockdown, have resorted to working from home. Long-range planning could even benefit.
Shelter in Place: Working in a Time of Isolation
Need some work-at-home tips from a veteran? Hazel Borys has eight to consider.
Israel to Track Coronavirus Using Cellphone Data
Data from millions of cellphone customers will be used to locate and alert individuals who may have come into contact with people carrying the virus.
Transit App Updating Transit Demand Estimates Daily
The Transit app has created the most comprehensive portal for transit ridership data—with a key caveat made about the source of the data.
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.
City of Rosemead
Rutgers University, Edward J. Bloustein School of Planning and Public Policy
One Hundred Miles
University of Michigan School for Environment and Sustainability (SEAS)
Hunter College, City University of New York (CUNY)
The Architects Foundation
City of Cambridge
Montrose County
The Pocatello Development Authority
