New York

Biking is New York's Fastest-Growing Mode of Transport

Bicycles are on the rise in New York City, where more and more people are making bikes a major part of their transportation diet. City officials say it's the fastest-growing mode of transport.

August 19, 2009 - WCBS

Michael Bloomberg: The Un-Moses

The New Yorker offers a long profile of New York City Mayor Michael Bloomberg, and highlights his efforts to "undo" the work of Robert Moses.

August 19, 2009 - The New Yorker

Wild Manhattan in Pictures

Matt Jensen's photographs reveal views of a natural Manhattan that are a little hard to believe. [Slideshow]

August 13, 2009 - Huffington Post

Affluent Suburb Agrees to Affordable Housing Overhaul

Westchester County, NY will be required to invest in the provision of affordable housing units in communities that lack minorities. Furthermore, they will have to actively market these units towards minority populations.

August 12, 2009 - The New York Times

Living A No-Impact Lifestyle in Manhattan

Writer Colin Beavan set a goal for his family to live a year in New York with no impact on the environment. A new documentary film follows their travails as meat, cosmetics, and trash bags get packed away.

August 10, 2009 - WorldChanging

Bloomberg Pledges to Fix Transit

Last week, New York Mayor Bloomberg released a plan to reform transit in the city. City Journal looks at how that might happen and how New York can pay for it.

August 10, 2009 - City Journal

The Problem of 'Family' Zoning

In 1975, the City of Oneonta, NY, established a law limiting the number of unrelated people allowed to live under one roof. Ruled unconstitutional by the State Supreme Court, the city is working on redefining the so-called 'family zoning.'

August 7, 2009 - The Oneonta Daily Star

NY's Subways Could Have Been Moving Walkways

A century ago there were plans to supplant much of Manhattan's metro system with subterranean moving walkways. This article looks at the history.

August 6, 2009 - New Scientist

'Distracted Driving' Summit Called By LaHood

In a sign of how serious the administration is taking traffic safety, DOT Secretary Ray LaHood called for a special meeting to deal with 'distracted driving', primarily the technological type - cell phones, both hand-held and hands-free, and texting.

August 5, 2009 - The New York Times - Politics

Free Bus Rides Coming to New York?

New York Mayor Michael Bloomberg recently announced an idea to speed up buses in Manhattan by eliminating crosstown bus fares.

August 5, 2009 - The New York Times

Understanding Atlantic Yards

Katherine Melia explains the relevant points on the Atlantic Yards controversy in Brooklyn for those not embroiled in the controversy over eminent domain, starchitecture, and more.

August 5, 2009 - Next American City

The Effects of the Background Noise of City Life

Urban sounds can have an effect on people -- both physically and mentally. This sonic tour through New York City examines how sounds affect urbanites.

August 3, 2009 - Discover

Subway Train Under Full Surveillance

In an effort to deter crime, the New York MTA is planning to fully equip one subway train with security cameras that record every inch of the interior.

July 30, 2009 - The New York Times

Exporting the Impoverished

The City of New York has been spending thousands of dollars to send people out of the city -- opting to pay for one-way plane tickets instead of providing social services.

July 30, 2009 - The New York Times

Jane Jacobs vs. Robert Moses

A review by John King of Anthony Flint's new book, Wrestling With Moses: How Jane Jacobs Took On New York's Master Builder and Transformed the American City.

July 29, 2009 - The San Francisco Chronicle

Manhattan, Minus Buildings

The Mannahatta Project is a project of the Wildlife Conservation Society. The website aims to visualize the island of Mannahatta in 1609, before European settlers began developing it.

July 27, 2009 - The Mannahatta Project

From Trash to Splash

Dumpster diving takes on new meaning as a New York-based design firm reinvents vacant lots as mini-resorts by converting old trash bins into swimming pools.

July 22, 2009 - ABC News

Central Park: Perfect Location for an Airport?

The Manhattan Airport Foundation is lobbying to turn Central Park (yes, that Central Park) into an airport. The web is a twitter, and the MAF's elaborate designs are very funny. Aren't they? They're not really serious?

July 22, 2009 - Treehugger

Stream Surfacing in the Bronx

Community activists in the South Bronx are working to "daylight" a long-buried stream and re-integrate some natural water treatment processes into the dense urban atmosphere.

July 21, 2009 - The New York Moon

Unearthing Buried Waterways

Cities from San Antonio to Singapore are resuscitating waterways that once lay buried under rivers of concrete.

July 18, 2009 - The New York Times

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.