United States

Study Compares Job Access by Transit in 46 U.S. Metropolitan Areas

The Center for Transportation Studies at the University of Minnesota has released the Access Across America: Transit 2014 report.

October 9, 2014 - The Transportationist

A New Buzzword for Changing Cities: 'Trust'

Christopher Swope writes of the emergence of the word "trust" in the buzzy lexicon of urbanism.

October 8, 2014 - Citiscope

Harvard Square

On the Importance of the Human Scale in Walkable Cities

Instead of density for density's sake (or for smart growth's sake), F. Kaid Benfield argues that the human scale is the key to walkable smart growth.

October 8, 2014 - Huffington Post

Millennials and Gen Xers Commuting Less by Car

Following up on earlier reports about the latest commuting data from the U.S. Census 2013 American Community Survey, Joseph Kane and Adie Tomer find different trends in commute choice between age groups.

October 8, 2014 - The Brookings Institution

The Best Country in the World to Grow Old

The country most friendly to electric vehicles is also the country most supportive of senior citizens, not that there's a relationship. After Norway, Sweden is the best place to grow old, according to the just released Global AgeWatch Index.

October 8, 2014 - BBC News

TOD Sign

Report: Transit Oriented Development Leads the Market in Major Metros

A report released last week by Cushman & Wakefield has won a lot of attention from media outlets covering large-scale development market trends. Among the report's findings: growing cities need to better support transit-oriented development.

October 8, 2014 - Globe St.

Suburban Dead End

More Evidence for the 'New Donut' Model of Metropolitan Areas

Spatial analysis of income and education over time in U.S cities provides further evidence for the “New Donut” theory of the city. Wealthier and more educated residents are more likely to move to the urban core or exurbs than to inner-ring suburbs.

October 7, 2014 - University of Virginia Center for Public Service

Ranking the Best and Worst Cities to Live and Work with Special Needs

WalletHub recently released the "2014 Best & Worst Cities for People with Disabilities" to highlight the economic power of providing employment opportunities and livable communities for people with special needs.

October 7, 2014 - WalletHub

National Institute for Transportation and Communities Releases Complete Streets Design Guide

Principal investigator Marc Schlossberg and co-investigator John Rowell, of the University of Oregon, have complete a guide to help communities of all varieties realize the benefits of complete streets.

October 7, 2014 - Oregon Transportation Research and Education Consortium

Orlando Street

Traffic Safety Silver Bullet: Prohibit the 12-Foot Traffic Lane

Jeff Speck, author of Walkable City, argues that reducing the width of traffic lanes would be a panacea for the disastrous public health outcomes of traffic safety.

October 6, 2014 - CityLab

Political Winds Could End 'Black=Urban'

Pete Saunders examines the urban base of African-American politics since the Civil Rights and how recent trends in urbanization will require a restructuring of political agendas in cities all over the country.

October 6, 2014 - The Corner Side Yard

Leaving California

Migration Trends Don't Support the 'Golden Age' of Cities Narrative

"Who's Moving to the Cities, Who Isn't" suggest that the number of Americans selling the "Golden Age" cities narrative is greater than the number of Americans buying into it.

October 6, 2014 - Center for Community Progress

Study: Domestic Responsibilities Contributing to Biking's Gender Gap

Answering the question of why more women in the United States don't bike, researchers find that infrastructure and design only explains some of the gender gap. Another obstacle for women: a higher share of chores and child-supporting car trips.

October 6, 2014 - The Guardian Bike Blog

A Call for Cities to Help Veterans through Homelessness and PTSD

As noted by the Department of Veteran Affairs, even one veteran without safe and stable housing is too many. Ron Littlefield calls for cities to move beyond studies and seek ways to aid returned veterans.

October 5, 2014 - Governing - City Accelerator

Wyoming Reports Road Improvements From 10-Cent Gas Tax Increase

Wyoming legislators passed its gas tax hike in Feb. 2013, an incredible 71 percent increase when the state then had the second to lowest tax. AASHTO reports that the WYDOT has already completed 12 projects with the additional revenue.

October 5, 2014 - AASHTO Journal

L.A. Streetcar

The Great Streetcar Debate

David Alpert and Jarrett Walker go head to head debating the merit of streetcar systems in many United States cities and suburbs and their efficiency at creating urban, walkable communities.

October 3, 2014 - CityLab

It's Official: No More 'Paper or Plastic' in California

If you forget to bring a bag, pay a dime for either a paper or reusable plastic bag. Single-use plastic bags will disappear from grocery stores and pharmacies on July 1, convenience and liquor stores a year later. A composting bill was also signed.

October 3, 2014 - Los Angeles Times

Skateboard Park

Skateboard Urbanism on the Rise

More cities around the country are embracing skateparks as a vital part of park design, leading to a new wave of urban design standards tailored for skateboarders.

October 3, 2014 - Next City

Portland Transit Mall

Neighborhoods, Streets, and Public Space: 30 'Great Places in America'

The American Planning Association (APA) has released its annual list of 10 Great Neighborhoods, 10 Great Streets, and 10 Great Public Spaces.

October 2, 2014 - American Planning Association

Economists Give Uber and Lyft a Resounding Thumbs Up

A recent survey of the Initiative on Global Markets Economic Experts Panel found clear and broad support for the economic benefits of transportation network companies.

October 2, 2014 - The Initiative on Global Markets

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.