United Kingdom

UK Rail Seeks Upgrade As Demand Rises

The United Kingdom's major rail company is expecting a 30% increase in freight traffic over the next 10 years, and ideas to help cope with the increase include double-decker commuter trains and altered routes.

September 7, 2006 - The Guardian

Duany Brings Charrette To Scotland

Scotland calls on Andres Duany and his firm to develop a housing plan for Inverness, which is facing rapid population growth. Duany plans to employ the charrette to hear the voice of the Scottish people, who have been engulfed in sprawl for decades.

September 6, 2006 - The Press and Journal

UK Government Accused Of Violating 'Protective Planning' Laws

Environmentalists in England are charging local and central government officials with bending their own rules to allow various developments in scenic, rural areas and environmentally-sensitive lands.

August 31, 2006 - The Guardian

'Self-Inflicted' UK Flooding Could Be Planners' Fault

Leading British scientists are warning the country that forecasted high tides could flood many low-lying areas. They caution that the coming devastation could have been prevented by better floodplain planning and more environmental considerations.

August 26, 2006 - BBC

Global Warming Impact More Severe For Urban Areas

Urban areas will be hit harder by climate change as global warming combines with the "urban heat island" effect.

August 26, 2006 - BBC

The Anglo-American Special Relationship On Urban Policy

Senior researchers at the Centre for Cities discuss whether the UK should look towards Europe or the US when making urban policy.

August 23, 2006 - BBC News

The National Trust: Leading by Example

A new article offers details on The National Trust in Great Britain, one of the most successful land trusts on the planet.

August 21, 2006 - Principal Broker Online

City Plans By Designers, Not Developers

This Times of London opinion piece calls for planners and architects with a true vision to get back in control of city planning. The author argues that "it is the developers who produce the master plans, and the city that responds to them."

August 17, 2006 - Times of London

Marine Energy On The Rise World-Wide

A promising new field of clean, alternative energy lies in the oceans and rivers. Capturing energy from waves and tides is no longer fantasy but gaining much attention; even power companies are investing in the field.

August 12, 2006 - The New York Times

UK Boosts Housing Development On Brownfields

Government policies have led to over three quarters of new homes in Britain being built on recycled land.

August 9, 2006 - The Guardian Unlimited

Doomsday Book Census

The UK's National Archives publishes one of country's earliest surviving public records, the Domesday Book -- a land and property census from 1085 -- online with translations.

August 8, 2006 - The National Archives

Is Suburban Living The Secret To Happiness?

A recent survey in Britain discovers that suburban dwellers are happy with their lot, countering the view that UK residents take a negative view of life in the suburbs.

August 4, 2006 - The Times (London)

New Urbanism Hits The Mainstream In Britain

Backed by government support, Britain's land use laws are bringing new urbanism to the mainstream.

August 3, 2006 - The Economist

California and Britain Sign Global Warming Accord

Sidestepping the federal government, California Gov. Arnold Schwarzenegger has signed a historic partnership with British Prime Minister Tony Blair to address climate change.

August 2, 2006 - The Los Angeles Times

Housing Out Of Reach For UK Public Sector Workers

With prices doubling in the past five years across Britian, a key sector of the workforce is frozen out of the housing market in two-thirds of cities and towns.

July 29, 2006 - The Guardian Unlimited

Duany In Edinburgh

While working on plans for a new town in Inverness, Scotland, famed architect and town planner Andres Duany has assured critics and supporters alike that whatever is planned for Moray Estates will not resemble Seaside.

July 25, 2006 - The Scotsman

London's Mayor Targeting Gas Guzzling Vehicles

Mayor Ken Livingston is proposing raising the city's congestion charge for SUVs to £25, while providing discounts for low-emissions vehicles.

July 14, 2006 - BBC News

UK Planning Bureaucracy Discourages Economic Development

England's planning policies may be reformed based on national versus local interests and needs, as the country attempts to secure deals with major international corporations.

June 27, 2006 - The Guardian

Aging Suburbia At Risk Of 'De-gentrification'

"De-gentrification" is routine in Canada and the U.S. but not so common in the U.K.

May 8, 2006 - Telegraph (U.K)

London's Social Evolution, 1898-2006

How London has changed in the past 108 years -- and how it hasn't. Comparing the results of an 1898 study with today's census figures reveal much about the social makeup of neighborhoods.

May 8, 2006 - The Economist

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.