United States

Louisville Two Way Streets

'Two-Ways' to Fix Our Neighborhoods

Expanding on earlier research about the impacts of one-way streets on outcomes such as public health and property values, a new study examines a citywide case study in Louisville.

April 8, 2015 - John Gilderbloom and William Riggs

Transit Ridership

U.S. Subway Car Design Behind the Curve

Yonah Freemark examines U.S. subway systems and notes the lack of "open gangways" (i.e., the space between the cars). Only in the U.S. do doors separate cars. What gives?

April 8, 2015 - the transport politic

Apartment renter

Where 20-Somethings Can Expect the Highest Rents

HotPads, an apartment listing site, has produced a new study finding the cities with the highest rent burden for residents in their 20s. Ana Swanson reports on the study and provides insight into its findings.

April 8, 2015 - The Washington Post - Wonkblog

Recession Success Story: Walkable Commercial Areas

New data show the resilience of walkable commercial areas through the recent recession. Parking minimums, however, prevent new projects from taking advantage of the strengths of such development patterns.

April 8, 2015 - Vox

'Most Endangered River' in the United States: the Colorado River in the Grand Canyon

American Rivers' list of the "Most Endangered" U.S. rivers provides an annual reminder of the abuse waterways bear in the name of the country's economy and culture.

April 7, 2015 - American Rivers

Survey: Interest in Buying a Home Hits All-Time Low

Despite many signs of a housing recovery around the country, the most recent survey by Fannie Mae indicates that more Americans than ever aren't sold on the idea of owning a home.

April 7, 2015 - Chicago Tribune

U.S. EPA Announces 2014 Energy Star Top Cities: D.C. Tops

A U.S.EPA list ranks the cities leading the nation with the most energy efficient commercial buildings.

April 6, 2015 - U.S. EPA

The Triumph of the Farmers Market

Farmers Markets have exploded over the past decade. This phenomenon has not only brought more vegetables to cities but revitalization in the public.

April 6, 2015 - Common Place

Highway Trust Fund Expiration Pushed Back to July or August

Congress just got one or two months of extra breathing room to keep the Highway Trust Fund solvent. Heretofore the patch bill was said to exhaust its funding on May 31, but the new word from Transportation Secretary Foxx is that it will be later.

April 6, 2015 - The Hill

Tysons Corner

Suburbs Try to Figure Out Transit

Of the many reasons why the suburban lifestyle is falling out of favor with young Americans, reliance on automobiles is near the top of the list. Some suburbs are now figuring out that, to attract Millennials, they must also invest in better transit.

April 6, 2015 - The Washington Post

The Intellectual Approach to Conservative Climate Change Policy

A writer for a national environmental publication searches for middle ground in the climate change policy debate.

April 5, 2015 - Grist

New Programs to House Rural Residents Closer to Jobs

Greg Aamot explores case studies from Minnesota of a conundrum that troubles many rural communities: how to house daytime workforces near their jobs, with the benefits in sales and property tax revenue that results.

April 4, 2015 - MinnPost

For Rent

Reconsidering Rent Control

Rent control's heyday came and went decades ago, as free-market advocates won out over long-term renters. With housing prices skyrocketing in many U.S. metros, the benefits of rent control may outweigh the harms.

April 4, 2015 - Pacific Standard

Pop Quiz: Can You Recognize Cities by Their Bike Lane Network?

Friday fun in the form of a mapping challenge from the Washington Post's Wonkblog.

April 3, 2015 - The Washington Post - Wonkblog

Georgia to Increase Gas Tax Through Conversion to Excise Tax

Gov. Nathan Deal will sign legislation to increase gas taxes through a state sales tax conversion to an excise tax. With new weight-based truck fees, motel fees, and electric vehicle fees, it will add $1 billion in new transportation funding.

April 3, 2015 - WJBF Augusta

The 'Little Asphalt' Solution for Better Communities

Little Asphalt minimizes pavement in cities, towns, and suburbs so that real estate can be used for higher value purposes—such as buildings and people-centered activities.

April 3, 2015 - Better Cities & Towns

Obama Administration Drafts Transportation Bill; May 31 Deadline Looms

In all likelihood the $478 billion transportation bill proposed by the Obama Administration earlier this week is dead on arrival. But can the federal government get a long-term bill together by the May 31 deadline?

April 3, 2015 - The Washington Post

Harnessing Immigrant Entrepreneurship for Economic Growth

If the high level of entrepreneurship among immigrant populations is part culture, part economic necessity, what can community development organizations do to foster their success?

April 2, 2015 - Rooflines

Urbanism March Madness

The politicking and positioning over who will control the destiny of the land and infrastructure of the country never ends. It's like a dance. Or a tournament.

April 1, 2015 - Planetizen April 1st Edition

Family Feud

Last Night on Family Feud: 'Name the Starchitect'

Last night's edition of the Family Feud gave starchitects a pop culture moment.

April 1, 2015 - Planetizen April 1st Edition

FREE Course: Walkable City 1: Why Walkability?

After describing his path towards focusing on walkability as the essence of good planning, Jeff Speck marches through his five principal reasons for making more walkable places.

Reinventing Malls: Planning Alchemy—Turning Gray Fields Into Gold

The course focuses on the opportunities and imperatives that shape reinvention of mall sites.

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.