United States
Survey: Number of 'Totally Sedentary' Americans Increases
A survey finds that increasing numbers of Americans did not participate in any physical activities in the last year. At least one feature of the build environment—access to school gyms—is blamed.
Friday Eye Candy: Images of the 20 Most Popular National Parks in the U.S.
There are still a few days left to celebrate National Park Week, which runs from April 18-26.
A New 'Livability Index' to Help Americans Age in Place
Following on research findings produced a year ago, AARP announced the release of its Livability Index earlier this week at the APA National Planning Conference.
Study: Speeding Drivers More Likely to Ignore Pedestrians in Crosswalks
A new study finds that as travel speed increases, so too does the likelihood that drivers will fail to yield to pedestrians crossing legally with the right-of-way.
Celebrating APA's 2015 National Planning Awards Recipients
A highlight of the APA's National Planning Conference every year—the presentation of the National Planning Excellence and Achievement Awards.
Millennials Really Are Buying Fewer Cars Per Capita
Recent articles in The Atlantic and Bloomberg News claimed that Millennials buy more cars than Generation X, but these failed to account for cohort size. Millennials actually purchase fewer vehicles per capita than previous generations.
Amsterdam Public Transit's Big Move to All-Electric
Europe is well known for electric powered trams and trains, but cities still operate diesel buses, just like in the United States. That will change in Amsterdam—all diesel buses will be replaced by battery-electrics by 2025, reports Dutch News.
Not All Preservationists Are NIMBYs
In the quest for density and infill, preservationists often stand beside those who want static cities. But both preservation and density can be ideologies, and thoughtful land use demands a nuanced middle ground.
Op-Ed: Stop the Hipster Hate
Un-American to some, symbol of oblivious privilege to others, the urban hipster is a polarizing character. But the stereotype also lays blanket criticism on those simply trying to make people-scaled cities work.
How Many Americans Know How to Ride a Bike?
A Five Thirty Eight article reveals the data on the ubiquity, and relative lack thereof in certain populations, of the ability to ride a bike.
Will This Bipartisan House Bill to Index the Gas Tax Succeed?
The Bridge to Sustainable Infrastructure Act is taken seriously in Congress. With 17 bipartisan co-sponsors, it would index the gas tax to inflation, thus increasing the Highway Trust Fund revenue and bridging to a sustainable revenue source.
Greed Revealed in the Manufactured Housing Industry
A company owned by Berkshire Hathaway has been been indulging in some of the same tactics that led to the larger housing crisis about ten years ago.
The Conservative Method of Resilience Planning
Explaining how planning and building for resilience reconciles with Conservative politics.
Students a Bright Light for the Future of Planning at the APA National Conference
The American Planning Association has invited students to contribute blog posts on their reactions to the APA National Conference. Their thoughts so far have revealed holistic concerns and creative thinking—positive signs for the next generation.
Emergency Crude-by-Rail Safety Orders Take Effect
The emergency rules issued by DOT, including lowering oil-train speeds to 40 mph in urban areas, go into effect on April 20. They are in addition to rules expected to be released May 12 that address oil tanker car construction.
The Rise of 'Segregated Affluence'
American cities are often described as 'segregated,' but segregation is not always well defined. A new study reveals a distinctive pattern: American cities tend to have many small areas of affluence amid fewer, but often larger, areas of poverty.
Should a Parking Lot in D.C. Be Saved in the Name of Historic Preservation?
In the wealthy community of Spring Valley, just inside the western boundaries of the District of Columbia, residents are opposing a proposed development by claiming the site—a parking lot—is a historic landmark.
A New Remedy for America's Complicated Immigration History
Our immigration system is broken and needs comprehensive reform. Comprehensive reform would address all aspects of our immigration system, not just focus on enforcement measures, for example, or on updating a single kind of visa.
Not All Parks Are Created Equal
Parks almost always sound like a good idea. But some are vacant while others are transformative. Here's a list of ten recently completed projects that fall solidly in the latter category.
Ontario to Join Quebec in Cap-and-Trade Program
Ontario Premier Kathleen Wynne made a strong case for taking decisive climate change action when she signed an historic agreement to join the Quebec program that trades carbon with California.
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
