United States

Getting Raised in Gentilly, Loisiana

Adapting Building Codes to Natural Disasters Saves Billions

New research shows that modern building codes have prevented around $27 billion in damage from natural disasters between 2000 and 2016, yet many cities still operate under decades-old regulations.

December 22, 2020 - Route Fifty

Cement gravestones reading Father and Mother

The Race to Preserve America's Black Cemeteries

America's historic Black cemeteries, which have long fallen victim to displacement, relocation, and outright destruction, could have a new ally in the fight for preservation and recognition.

December 22, 2020 - Time Magazine

Chicago Apartments

Upzoning Isn't a Silver Bullet for Housing Affordability

Zoning changes have been a popular way to increase density and affordable housing, but more diversified policies could fill in the gaps where zoning fails.

December 22, 2020 - The Urbanist

Pedestrians

2019 Crash Fatality Data Reveals Relative Calm Before the Storm

The National Highway Traffic Safety Administration's latest crash fatality data for 2019 showed improving safety conditions for road users from the year prior. That progress is likely to vanish when the data for 2020 are complete.

December 22, 2020 - Smart Cities Dive

Miner Street Al Fresco

The Post-Pandemic Street

From designing streets to designing process.

December 22, 2020 - David Vega-Barachowitz

Hubway Bikeshare

Boston Installs New Bike Lanes as Part of GoBoston 2030 Initiative

The city wants to cut its car use in half by 2030 as part of an aggressive set of "aspirational" goals.

December 22, 2020 - Streetsblog Massachusetts

Coronavirus

California's Hospital Crisis: What Lies Ahead

As COVID infections and hospitalizations mount in California, ICU availability dropped to zero in Southern and Central California. Demand for hospital care is also outstripping supply in New Mexico.

December 21, 2020 - The Washington Post

Congress

Biden Diversifies Cabinet With EPA Administrator, Interior Secretary Picks

President-elect Biden made two historic cabinet selections: Michael Regan, who heads the North Carolina Department of Environmental Quality, to run the U.S. EPA, and Rep. Deb Haaland of New Mexico, to head the Interior Department.

December 21, 2020 - The Washington Post

Coronavirus and Homelessness

'State of the Nation's Housing 2020' Report Traces Impact of COVID-19

The Harvard Joint Center for Housing Studies releases its "The State of the Nation’s Housing 2020" report last month.

December 21, 2020 - Housing Matters

Pumping Gas

Transportation Climate Initiative Expected to Cross the Finish Line

Twelve northeastern states and D.C. are expected to sign a new cap-and-investment scheme designed to lower emissions from transportation.

December 21, 2020 - The Boston Globe

Bus Lane

Pandemic Bus Lanes Show Promise as Permanent Solutions

As cities streamline approval processes for bus-only lanes during the pandemic, transit experts hope the projects will lead to lasting change.

December 21, 2020 - Streetsblog Chicago

New Jersey

Where Housing Prices Climbed Most During the Pandemic

Homes in suburban and even rural locations were hot commodities on the pandemic real estate market, according to an industry report.

December 21, 2020 - Inman News

Thomas/Central Avenue Station

$544 Million in Transit Capital Investment Funding Announced

The latest round of funding for the Federal Transit Administration's Capital Investment Grant funding program was announced this week.

December 20, 2020 - Federal Transit Administration

Biden administration

Biden Selects Energy Secretary and New National Climate Advisor

Former Michigan Gov. Jennifer Granholm, a U.C. Berkeley professor, is Biden's choice to lead the Energy Department. A new position, national climate advisor, will be filled by former Obama EPA Administrator Gina McCarthy, current head of the NRDC.

December 18, 2020 - Greentech Media

Suburban Pittsburgh

Federal Rent Relief Is a Public Health Imperative

To ensure families stay in their homes and stay safe during the COVID-19 pandemic, the federal government should extend the CDC's eviction moratorium and other rent relief measures through the new year.

December 18, 2020 - Urban Wire

New York City Subway

What's in the New Economic Stimulus Package for U.S. Transit Agencies

A new economic stimulus package that appears headed for approval as of this writing will give $15 billion to public transit, far less than transit advocates had hoped, but far better than nothing.

December 17, 2020 - Streetsblog USA

Basement Apartment

Security Deposit Alternatives: The Misleading Marketing of 'Renter's Choice'

Dozens of cities and states are considering legislation allowing alternatives to upfront security deposits, such as "security deposit insurance." The only problem? It's not actually insurance.

December 17, 2020 - Shelterforce Magazine

Senior Woman Washing Vegetables

Age-Friendly Columbus Offers Solutions for Aging Cities

Age-Friendly Columbus and Franklin County, a program of The Ohio State University College of Social Work, celebrated five years of community engagement and advocacy aimed at improving quality of life for older adults.

December 16, 2020 - NextCity

2020 Presidential Campaign

Mayor Pete Is Biden's Pick for Transportation Secretary

President-elect Joe Biden is expected to nominate a former rival in the Democratic presidential primary and the former two-term mayor of South Bend, the fourth largest city in Indiana, to head the Transportation Department.

December 16, 2020 - CNN

Environmental Justice

Robert Bullard Awarded Lifetime Achievement Award by the United Nations

Robert Bullard, distinguished professor of Urban Planning and Environmental Policy at Texas Southern University and author of the seminal book "Dumping in Dixie," has been awared the United Nation's highest environmental honor.

December 16, 2020 - Champions of the Earth

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.

Associate/Senior Planner

Gallatin County Department of Planning & Community Development

Senior Planner

Heyer Gruel & Associates PA

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.