Pennsylvania

The Ugliest City In America - The People, That Is

Survey says: Philadelphians are the ugliest (and perhaps the fattest) people in the U.S, while the beach-loving residents of San Diego and Miami are the most gorgeous.

October 24, 2007 - Yahoo News

10 Things to Remember as Philadelphia Rewrites Zoning Code

Philadelphia has appointed a Zoning Reform Commission to rewrite its 1962 Code. Two leaders who advocated for the rewrite share what they learned from other cities.

October 19, 2007 - The Philadelphia Inquirer

Philadelphia's Rezoning Saga

The monumental task of rewriting the city's zoning code and remapping its zones is essential if Philadelphia is to fulfill its potential and prosper.

October 8, 2007 - The Philadelphia Inquirer

Candidate Says Planning Should Be Top Priority In Philadelphia

A Philadelphia mayoral candidate says the first step to fixing the city under his administration would be a revamping and revival of the city's planning system.

September 21, 2007 - The Philadelphia Inquirer

Turnpike Expansion Takes Land, Provides No Sound Barrier

As plans develop to add lanes to a turnpike in Pennsylvania, residents are upset over large losses in property and no provisions for sound barriers.

August 7, 2007 - The Philadelphia Inquirer

Why Universities Should Engage In Community Development

Columnist Neal Peirce highlights the University of Pennsylvania's efforts at improving its Philadelphia neighborhood -- and the resulting improvements for Town and Gown.

July 30, 2007 - The Seattle Times

Low-Income Residents Migrating From Cities In Search Of Public Housing

Public housing residents in crime-ridden urban areas are migrating to outlying communities in hopes of securing better housing and living in a safer neighborhood.

July 19, 2007 - USA Today

Pittsburgh's Livability: It's The Small Things

The credit for Pittsburgh's recent honor of 'most livable city' goes not to big marketing or development initiatives, but the sum of a lot of small things that make the city and region a good place to live.

July 16, 2007 - Pittsburgh Post-Gazette

Philadelphia Quakers Set An Example Of Green Efficiency

A religious group known for embracing simplicity presents a bold green vision for Center City.

July 10, 2007 - The Philadelphia Inquirer

Getting College Students To Stay And Put Down Roots

Pennsylvania attracts more college students than any other state. Now officials are trying to figure out how to have the economy benefit further by getting them to stay after graduation.

June 17, 2007 - The Wall Street Journal

Pennsylvania Struggles With Turnpike Plans

As of late, how to best operate and maintain Pennsylvania's Turnpike has become a hot issue among the state's politicians. Will they ever agree on a solution?

June 5, 2007 - Pittsburgh Post-Gazette

Philadelphia's 'Gridlock' - Too Much Of A Good Thing?

Center City’s narrow streets and dense concentration contribute to an exciting and walkable urban center. Yet, the increase in visitors and residents has resulted in an increase in the number of vehicles and delivery trucks in search of parking.

June 3, 2007 - The Philadelphia Inquirer

Planners Seek Input On Plan From Neighborhood Youth

City planners in Pittsburgh broadened their conventional public participation process and worked with local kids to get their feedback and ideas about the new community plan for the South Side neighborhood.

May 29, 2007 - Pittsburgh Post-Gazette

Innovative Program Brings Fresh Groceries To Blighted Philadelphia Neighborhood

The Pennsylvania Fresh Food Financing Initiative is luring supermarkets to into urban locations in hopes of providing residents with healthier eating options that are largely absent from many inner-city neighborhoods.

May 26, 2007 - The New York Times

Funding Transit With Proceeds From Road Privatization

A proposed long-term lease of the Pennsylvania Turnpike could provide close to $1.7 billion a year -- funding the state's transit and road needs without the need for additional taxes.

May 24, 2007 - Philadelphia Business Journal

Pittsburgh As The Most Livable City? What?

Pittsburgh was just named America's "most livable city," but don't try telling that to the Pittsburgh Tribune-Review's Bill Steigerwald. In a column for Reason.com, Steigerwald writes, "Pittsburgh is in a death spiral.

May 7, 2007 - Reason Online

Designing To Fill The Gaps In Philadelphia

Designers and community development corporations collaborate on concepts for infill development along Philadelphia's commercial corridors.

April 23, 2007 - The Philadelphia Daily News

From Growing Corn To A Growing Community

This slideshow from Slate shows how a cornfield in Pennsylvania developed into a new residential community.

April 19, 2007 - Slate

Manifesto for a New Pittsburgh

Several bloggers outline a set of principles to guide the future growth and evolution of the city of Pittsburgh and Southwest Pennsylvania.

April 14, 2007 - Pittsblog

Planning Not A Priority For Philly's 'Would-be' Mayors

While Philadelphia may be hosting this year's National Planning Conference, a recent forum demonstrated that the current candidates for Mayor lack any sort of vision for the city's development.

April 13, 2007 - The Philadelphia Inquirer

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.