United States
Mapping the U.S. 'Turkey Belt'
Don't worry; we're not mentioning belts to make you feel too guilty to enjoy today's meal.
Analyzing the Impacts of Choice Neighborhoods Grants
A new study examines the question of how to achieve neighborhood transformation through the Choice Neighborhoods federal grant program.
Why Only 330,000 Electric Vehicles on the Road?
The answer to the question posed by the New York Times is surprising. Hint: Don't blame the customer if the sales force isn't trying to sell them on vehicles that never need to go to a service station to purchase fuel.
Mapping the End of Parking Minimums
The high cost of free parking is almost, but not quite, common knowledge. Many, but not all, people realize the pernicious effects of parking requirements. A map can help illustrate this spreading awareness.
For Economic Stabilization Amidst Suburban Poverty: Maximize the Earned Income Tax Credit
The diffuse structure of suburbs makes it more efficient, according to this Brooking Institution post, to invest in individuals rather than places to fight poverty.
APA Awards Funding to Local Projects Combating Chronic Disease
$2.25 million in funding exemplifies the broadening focus of the American Planning Association on public health outcomes at the local level.
U.S. Still Lags Behind in Bike Commuting
Triple Pundit takes a step back to gather some perspective, asking why the U.S. commuters are still so resistant to getting on bikes.
Middle-Aged White Americans Take a Significant Turn for the Worse
Why are mortality rates increasing for this group in the United States and not others? The usual suspects—obesity, heart disease, diabetes, smoking are not the killers, The findings resulted in the 2015 Nobel Memorial Prize in Economic Science.
The 50 Worst Traffic Bottlenecks in the United States
This list of the worst places for traffic congestion in the country might cause some rubbernecking of its own.
Critiquing the 2015 TIGER Grants: More Isn't Always Better
According to a scathing critique of the most recent round of TIGER funding, many of the awarded projects fall far below the quality that transit advocates expect.
Time to Take the Self-Driving Car Seriously?
So far, only a small minority of major cities have considered self-driving cars in their long-range transportation plans. The question is, should policymakers embrace them or stand in their way?
Three Ways Mobile Transit Payments Will Change How We Move in Cities
One idea for how to make transit better is rolling out in cities across the country: mobile payment of fares on smartphones.
Vision from the Future: A 'Dating App' for Deciding Where to Live
One of the earliest researchers at Skype makes a compelling case for one of the potential applications of artificial intelligence: helping humans decide where and how to migrate.
A Wake Up Call for Planning Commissioners
Planning commissioners play an essential role in monitoring issues and projects of critical importance to the welfare of entire neighborhoods and cities. Why then, do so many commissioners seem to be sleeping on the job?
A New Talking Point at the White House: Over-Strict Land Use Regulations
Some think President Obama legislates from the "big government" end of the political spectrum, but when it comes to land use, at least, he's getting advice that local real estate markets should be liberated from too much regulation.
Some Transportation Funding Gimmicks Are Worse than Others
Carl Davis of the Institute on Taxation and Economic Policy wants a gas tax increase, not gimmicks, to fund the 6-year transportation bill. Not likely. As bad as they are, they are better than resorting to a repatriation tax, notes the press release.
Too Big to Be Green
The energy costs of big houses on big lots overshadow the benefits of energy efficiency.
Anchorage to Provide Permanent Housing for the Homeless
Newly elected Mayor Ethan Berkowitz has unveiled a new plan to end homelessness in Alaska's largest city, Anchorage. It focuses on providing permanent housing over the next three years for 300 adults who are living on the street and in camps.
Two-Week Transportation Extension 'Auto-Signed' by President Obama
With transportation taxing and spending authority set to expire on Friday night, President Obama used an auto-pen to sign the extension on a plane to Malaysia. Both chambers must agree to the bill that emerges from the conference committee by Dec. 4.
Whose Comfort Matters in Public Spaces?
In overhauling the appearance and ambience of a popular mall, the Minneapolis Downtown Council and the Minneapolis City Council have promoted strategies beyond heavy-handed policing, including philanthropy, social services, and community engagement.
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.
planning NEXT
Appalachian Highlands Housing Partners
Mpact (founded as Rail~Volution)
City of Camden Redevelopment Agency
City of Astoria
City of Portland
City of Laramie
