United States

Empty Parking

Parking Reform Map Shows Which Cities Have Eliminated Parking Minimums

As part of #BlackFridayParking week, a crowd-sourced map tracks the growth of the parking reform movement in U.S. cities.

November 23, 2021 - Strong Towns Blog

Mass Vaccination

Austria to Mandate COVID-19 Vaccination

Life for the unvaccinated in many European countries is becoming more difficult as infections surge. Austria will take the ultimate step in February and require residents to become inoculated unless medically exempt. A lockdown begins Monday.

November 22, 2021 - The New York Times

Baltimore Rowhouses

'Supporting Shrinkage': Lessons for U.S. Cities

An excerpt from "Supporting Shrinkage: Better Planning and Decision-Making for Legacy Cities," written by Michael P. Johnson, Justin B. Hollander, Eliza W. Kinsey, and George R. Chichirau and published by SUNY Press.

November 22, 2021 - Michael P. Johnson

Homeless encampments on the Venice Beach Ocean Front Walk.

The Blue State Problem

The New York Times and Last Week Tonight With John Oliver have a message for progressives living in liberal cities in Blue States: you're part of the problem.

November 21, 2021 - The New York Times

Vaccination

CDC: Time to Rethink Herd Immunity

The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention may be changing its thinking about how herd immunity fits in with the goal of controlling the coronavirus. At the same time, the waning immunity of vaccinated Americans has taken on more urgency.

November 21, 2021 - Los Angeles Times

Sunstar electric bikes displayed during the japanese festival in Geneva on the 7th october 2012

The E-Bike Boom Continues

The popularity of electric bikes doesn't seem to be waning as the devices outpace electric car sales by almost two to one.

November 21, 2021 - The New York Times

NYC Subway Construction

RAISE Grants Announced: U.S. DOT Shifts to a Greener Vision for Transportation

News broke early this morning the U.S. Department of Transportation had announced the first round of funding for the Biden administration's new discretionary grant funding program.

November 19, 2021 - U.S. Department Of Transportation

SMART Bus

Is Fare-Free Transit Worth Reduced Transit Service?

Transit advocates worry that the movement to eliminate fares will come at a high cost to transit-dependent riders who rely on frequent, reliable service to reach jobs and services.

November 19, 2021 - The Washington Post

A map showing the location of Hartville, Missouri.

The U.S. Has a New Center: Hartville, Missouri

The center cannot hold.

November 18, 2021 - U.S. Census Bureau

The San Diego River where it passes through the Mission Trails Regional Park.

San Diego County Seeks Funding for River Park

San Diego County Board of Supervisors voted 4-0 to spend up to $500,000 for a consultant who will seek out funding to complete the San Diego River Park.

November 18, 2021 - Times of San Diego

George Floyd

The Racial Reckoning in Public Spaces

Following George Floyd’s murder in 2020, there was an explosion of anti-racist street art across the country. “When we allow ourselves to release our emotions, oftentimes what is produced out of that is art.”

November 18, 2021 - Shelterforce Magazine

Rescue Bus

Driver Shortages and Service Reductions: The Crisis in Public Transit Continues

While transit systems around the country had reason to celebrate the new funding made available in the federal infrastructure bill, long-term concerns about operational capacity have not been resolved.

November 18, 2021 - Detroit Free Press

Zoning Code Rendering

Which Cities Are Upzoning?

A recent study surveyed 800 jurisdictions in 50 U.S. metropolitan areas to quantify the amount of change in zoning regulations throughout the 21st century so far.

November 17, 2021 - Journal Of The American Planning Association

Solar and Wind Energy

Report: U.S. Renewable Energy Production Rising Sharply

The proportion of energy produced by renewable sources in the United States has almost quadrupled in the last decade.

November 17, 2021 - The Washington Post

Weathered stone slabs with the words Juvenile Court Entrance engraved into it.

Minor Defendants: Kids Are Being Named in Evictions

Absurd as it may sound, minor children are sometimes named in eviction filings. If a child’s name makes in onto official court records—especially if those records are public and online—the damage can be irreversible.

November 17, 2021 - Shelterforce Magazine

U.S. Census Bureau

Debunking the Myth of the Declining White Population

Media claimed that Census data showed a sharp decline in America's white population, but the widely publicized figure reflects a misunderstanding of new data collection techniques.

November 17, 2021 - The Atlantic

An electric scooter blocks the sidewalk near a street festival in Chicago's West Loop.

Chicago’s E-Scooter Program Is Now Permanent. But Will It Be Equitable?

After two pilots, Chicago has permanently legalized e-scooters in the city, but the equity provisions remain to be worked out.

November 17, 2021 - Next City

National Parks

The 15 Most Popular National Parks

America is home to 63 wonderful national parks. Find out which ones had the most visitors in 2020.

November 16, 2021 - Travel And Leisure

An aerial image of Taylor Yards along the Los Angeles River.

Partnership Formed to Create 100 Acres of New Park Space in Los Angeles

New park spaces to meet the needs of underserved communities are being planned along the Los Angeles River.

November 16, 2021 - The Eastsider LA

New York City Coronavirus

Assessing and Reversing Environmental Injustice in New York City

New York City launched its first ever environmental justice study just before the Covid-19 pandemic turned the world upside down. The study took on a new urgency throughout the months and years that followed.

November 16, 2021 - Politico

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.