District of Columbia

Washington D.C.'s Zoning Code Update Finally Progressing

Washington D.C.'s long deliberated and closely watched zoning code update is moving forward, and supporters of progressive land use regulations have reason to be encouraged.

October 14, 2014 - Greater Greater Washington

Awarding the Best Government Websites

Looking for the best examples of municipal websites? Look no further.

October 9, 2014 - Government Technology

Amsterdam Bikes

Shifting the Message to Attract More Bike Riders

In a speech to the Arlington County Commuter Services, Veronica O. Davis argues for bicycle advocates to shift from focusing solely on commuter riders.

October 9, 2014 - Mobility Lab

Rooftop Solar Panels

Mapping the Solar Potential of Every Roof

A new app out of MIT provides property owners with detailed information about the solar potential of their roofs. The app is currently at work in five cities.

October 8, 2014 - CleanTechnica

Kids Biking

Unsafe Streets on National Walk and Bike to School Day

Today, October 8, is National Walk and Bike to School Day, and yet street conditions across the United States continue to prevent kids from getting to school safely without being chauffeured. Lynn Richards of CNU says we can do better.

October 8, 2014 - Greater Greater Washington

How to Revitalize a 'Stuck' Neighborhood?

Congress Heights, in Washington D.C., has suffered decades of neglect. Now, city planners and activists want to transform it into a mixed-use, mixed-income success story. What if it doesn't work? What if it works too well?

October 8, 2014 - Elevation DC

The Washington D.C. Housing Market Completely Flipped in One Decade

Trends in Washington D.C. housing affordability is similar to other cities around the country, but is also unique in how swiftly the housing market has shifted.

October 7, 2014 - The Washington Post - Wonkblog

Political Winds Could End 'Black=Urban'

Pete Saunders examines the urban base of African-American politics since the Civil Rights and how recent trends in urbanization will require a restructuring of political agendas in cities all over the country.

October 6, 2014 - The Corner Side Yard

Shepard Fairey

Gentrification's Liberal Enablers

Gavin Mueller writes a withering critique of the forces behind gentrification and the liberal justifications that allow poverty and racism to persist.

October 2, 2014 - Jacobin

Security Perimeters Conquering Public Spaces in the Nation's Capital

A recent security breach at the White House is prompting calls from the Secret Service for more security measures in the vicinity of 1600 Pennsylvania Avenue. According to a recent editorial, such measures would go to far in restricting access.

September 30, 2014 - The Washington Post

Anchorage Alaska

Where to Go in the Event of Climate Change

Anchorage, Seattle, and Detroit will be pretty cozy compared to just about everywhere else in the United States if climate change models hold true.

September 23, 2014 - New York Times

Grand Ambitions for $7 Billion Investment in Washington D.C.'s Union Station

The Washington Post provides all the details, renderings, history, commentary, and more that one could want about Amtrak's proposed $7 billion investment in Daniel Burnham's historic Union Station.

September 20, 2014 - The Washington Post

Grand Park Designs for Washington D.C.'s 11th Street Bridge

Jared Green shares news of the finalists in a design competition for a $40 million park on the 11th Street Bridge spanning the Anacostia River in Washington D.C.

September 17, 2014 - ASLA The Dirt

What's Missing for Capital Bikeshare?

In a recent piece, Kristine Johnston reviews Washington D.C.'s Capital Bikeshare program and its accessibility for low-income, non-white populations.

September 13, 2014 - Georgetown Public Policy Review

Where D.C.'s 'New Communities' Public Housing Program Went Wrong

Washington D.C.'s New Communities program has failed to live up to its titular promise, according to a new report released by the Office of the Deputy Mayor for Planning and Economic Development.

September 11, 2014 - Washington City Paper

Transportation Planning a Key Issue in Upcoming City Elections

Rachel Dovey provides a roundup of mayoral races that feature special interest and attention on the issues of public transportation and transit-oriented development.

September 8, 2014 - Next City

Japan High Speed Rail

$5 Billion in Funding for Northeast High-Speed Rail—Courtesy the Japanese Government

A bank controlled by the government of Japan has promised $5 billion in financing for a proposal that would connect Washington D.C. and Baltimore via maglev, high-speed rail.

September 5, 2014 - The Baltimore Sun

Washington Redskins Fans

How Can D.C. be the Coolest City in America if Everyone Hates Hipsters So Much?

In which parking minimums figure heavily in a polemic regarding the nature of cool.

August 30, 2014 - Guardian Cities

Parking Sign

A Primer on Innovative Parking Regulations

Writing for Smart Growth America, Neha Bhatt provides a survey of innovative parking regulation and management strategies in cities around the country.

August 26, 2014 - Smart Growth America

DC Nightlife

Pedestrians vs. Bicyclists: How to Make Peace

In this op-ed special to The Sacramento Bee, Michael Andersen of PeopleForBikes and Melissa Merson of America Walks make a convincing argument for protected bike lanes to improve both bike and pedestrian safety by getting cyclists off the sidewalk.

August 25, 2014 - The Sacramento Bee

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.