Urban Development

Urbanist Heavyweights Compare European and US Planning

Leading urban thinkers weigh-in on a debate of the merits of European and US approaches to urban planning, with a specific focus on the place of automobiles in cities. Ed Glaeser, Ellen Dunham-Jones, and Sam Staley are among the contributors.

July 8, 2011 - The New York Times

Water as Infrastructure

Developers in Sweden plan to use the several aquifers already located underneath Stockholm's streets to heat and cool the buildings located above them.

July 8, 2011 - This Big City

Cities and Suburbs Converge into New Economic Generators

As the downturn in the market physically reshapes the metropolitan regions of the United States, the shifting populations and economies of its cities and suburban areas are becoming increasingly intertwined.

July 7, 2011 - The Atlantic

Landscape Architecture Driving Change in Cities

The projects across the country having the biggest impact on the feel and function of cities are more often than not the work of landscape architects, according to the American Society of Landscape Architects.

July 7, 2011 - THE DIRT

Sustainable Practices Find a Home in the Americas

Whether in Cupertino, Calif. or Curitiba, Brazil, cities are starting an aggressive move toward sustainability in the Americas. In this evolution, technology, citizen involvement and innovation will play a role transforming cities, Leon Kaye writes.

July 5, 2011 - Guardian

Tent City of Protest

The center of protest in Yemen's capital city of Sana'a has turned into a massive tent city, with more than 4,000 tents and a variety of services, public spaces and pop-up industries.

July 4, 2011 - Der Spiegel

Redevelopment Plans Shaken Up as California Cuts Budget

Urban redevelopment plans to slow or stall in California, as Governor Jerry Brown slashes the budgets of redevelopment agencies in the state.

July 3, 2011 - The Sacramento Bee

Comparing the Greening of Cities

A new tool comparing cities in the U.S. and Canada tracks improvements in the way cities are greening, and also highlights areas where improvement is needed.

July 2, 2011 - The Atlantic

Swim Fan: Public Space in the River

Amanda Burden's High Line has elevated public space to new heights. "+Pool" design trio want to submerge it under water, specifically in the East River that runs through NYC.

July 1, 2011 - Metropolis Magazine

Asking Locals What To Do With Abandoned Buildings

Artist Candy Chang has taken an old building in Fairbanks, Alaska and turned it into a public idea board that asks locals what they think should be done with it.

July 1, 2011 - Fast Company

Abu Dhabi Looks Ahead to 2030

Abu Dhabi has released a new 20-year plan. It planners argue that it will be flexible enough to withstand changes in the global economy, should they come.

July 1, 2011 - Times of Oman

Brazil Hopes to Limit Sports Bodies' Powers Ahead of Mega Events

As Brazil prepares to host the 2014 World Cup and 2016 Olympics, officials are pushing a new law that would limit the powers of the international bodies behind the two major sporting events.

July 1, 2011 - The New York Times

Urban Development, Climate Change and Chlamydia: The End of Koalas

Officials are estimating that within 30 years, the combined impact of urban development, climate change and a chlamydia outbreak will cause koalas to go extinct.

June 30, 2011 - The Telegraph

New York City Planning Director Leads the City's Renaissance

The Wall Street Journal profiles New York City Planning Director Amanda Burden, focusing on the populist projects her department has been successful in building in recent years.

June 29, 2011 - The Wall Street Journal

The Ambiguous City

Todd Reisz reviews "Living in the Endless City," a collection edited by Ricky Burdett, which looks at urban issues in Sao Paulo, Mumbai and Istanbul.

June 29, 2011 - The Huffington Post

You Call That Public Art?

South Korea's law mandates developers to commission public art as 1% of the total cost of a proposed project. What the law does not specify is the level of taste that comes with it.

June 29, 2011 - The Los Angeles Times

Tokyo to Include Tsunami-Hit Areas in 2020 Olympic Bid

In preparing a bid to host the 2020 Olympics, Tokyo is planning to include areas that were ravaged by the recent tsunami and earthquake.

June 28, 2011 - Daily Mail

The Big City Goes Small Scale

New York's new big plans are actually quite small, according to this architectural review from The Guardian.

June 28, 2011 - Guardian

Stockholm's Transportation Remodel

In Stockholm, Sweden, planners are moving ahead with a broad central city redevelopment plan that seeks to continue the city's trend of reducing car traffic and congestion, and making it easier for bikers, walkers and transit takers to get around.

June 28, 2011 - Citiwire

Slow Progress in East New Orleans

In this piece from Places, Deborah Gans offers a firsthand look at planning for recovery in the city's neglected East side.

June 28, 2011 - Places

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.