United States

Diner

Uncertain Futures for U.S. Restaurants Raise Larger Concerns About City Vitality

In many American cities, restaurants are beacons of economic revitalization and social vibrancy. Calculations are still being made to determine the toll taken on the nation's eateries, and in turn, the urban economies they serve.

May 20, 2020 - The New York Times

College Students

What Surveys Say About Generation Z

The oldest members of the generation cohort to follow the Millennials already have two feet in the legal drinking age, and with even more coming of age before the 2020 election, it's well past time to get to know Generation Z.

May 19, 2020 - Pew Research Center

Single-Family Housing Construction

'Built-to-Rent' Industry Attracts Koch Investment

Koch Industries has reportedly bought a major stake in the "build-to-rent" business of Amherst Holdings, a Texas-based single-family rental company.

May 19, 2020 - Bloomberg

Washington D.C.

U.S. Homelessness Could Jump 45%, Study Says

Unemployment of historically devastating proportions will force people out of their homes and onto the streets, according to a new study by an economist at Columbia University in New York.

May 19, 2020 - Community Solutions

Emergency Housing

Hotels Could Play a Critical Role in Containing Coronavirus in Crowded Cities

Some cities are leasing entire hotels to provide rooms for people who have tested positive for COVID-19 or been exposed to infected people, to allow for safe and supportive isolation away from family or household members who risk being infected.

May 19, 2020 - Medium – Bloomberg Cities

Social Distancing

Pandemic Endgame

On Monday, the 73rd World Health Assembly convenes virtually for two days. NPR's Scott Simon speaks with a WHO spokesperson about how long we can expect to live with the coronavirus that causes COVID-19.

May 18, 2020 - NPR Weekend Edition Saturday

Food Pantry

An Antiracist Planning and Policy Response to the Coronavirus

What would a crisis response that finally overcomes the history of slavery and structural racism in the United States look like?

May 18, 2020 - Next City

Coronavirus and Transportation

$23.8 Billion More in Federal Relief Requested for Public Transit Agencies

U.S. transit agencies are hemorrhaging money as the majority of riders avoid trains and buses. People still need public transit, and public transit needs help to weather the storm.

May 18, 2020 - Smart Cities Dive

Traffic and Speed

The Commute of the Future: Congested Mess, or Massive Mode Shift?

Researchers around the world are trying to get an idea about how increased automobile trips, fewer shared modes, and high unemployment will alter long-term trends in transportation.

May 17, 2020 - CityLab

New York Bike Delivery

The Delivery App Revolt

For many Americans living through the social distancing and stay-at-home-orders of 2020, supporting local businesses means cutting out the tech middle man.

May 15, 2020 - The Washington Post

Driving

Dangerous, Distracted Drivers Take More Joyrides During Lockdown

Some motorists see open roads as an opportunity for stress relief. Transportation officials urge motorists to slow down, citing dramatically increased rates of speeding since the onset of the pandemic.

May 15, 2020 - The Washington Post

Vancouver Al Fresco

How Zoning Reform Can Help Businesses Transition to Outdoor Operations

A trend toward allowing restaurants and retailers to expand operations to the public realm outside their brick and mortar confines is quickly gaining steam.

May 15, 2020 - The Hill

Public Transit

Predicting the Future of Cities After the Pandemic

Two more stories to enter into the archive for the great debate of the coronavirus pandemic: How will the public health crisis change the future of cities?

May 15, 2020 - Foreign Policy

West Hollywood, California

Independent Music Venues Face a Tough Road Ahead

Where have all the venues gone?

May 14, 2020 - Los Angeles Times

Housing crisis

Housing Justice Organizers Don’t Want to Return to 'Normal'

As they organize for immediate relief for those whose housing was affected by the pandemic, tenant leaders are also building power to demand long-term changes.

May 14, 2020 - Shelterforce Magazine

Homeless Shelter

Designing for Social Distance Requires Creative Solutions

Modular systems and flexible use of shared spaces are priorities as urban designers begin to consider how design requirements will change in the future.

May 14, 2020 - WHYY

Social Distancing

Scenario Planning for Pandemic Recovery

The planner who wrote the book on the emerging practice of scenario planning offers advice on how the tool can be helpful in planning for the pandemic.

May 14, 2020 - Lincoln Institute of Land Policy

Rent Jubilee

Landlord, Tenant Tug-of-War for COVID-19 Relief in Los Angeles

Jones Lang LaSalle (JLL) International Director Carl Muhlstein offers his outlook for what lies ahead in real estate and shares insight on the political tug-of-war between landlords and renters in the struggle for relief and protection.

May 13, 2020 - The Planning Report

Coronavirus

The Great Scandinavian Pandemic Experiment

Perhaps no nation has captured more media attention in its handling of the coronavirus pandemic than Sweden. Unlike most of Europe, it never went into lockdown, relying mostly on voluntary social distancing. The state epidemiologist devised the plan.

May 13, 2020 - Financial Times

City Apartments

Opinion: Less Restrictive Zoning Necessary for Urban Areas to Lead Recovery

An opinion piece makes the case for pro-development urban planning as a tool of economic recovery.

May 13, 2020 - 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.