United States

Discrimination Limits Sandy Recovery Efforts

Many New Jersey residents are waiting for state aid to help them rebuild after Hurricane Sandy. But not everyone is receiving a fair share of recovery funds. How will Governor Chris Christie respond?

March 19, 2014 - Rooflines

Breaking Down Housing Affordability for Teachers

As coastal real estate markets—especially in California—grow more expensive, it’s harder for teachers to afford a home. A recent article breaks down the affordability of homes for teachers around the country.

March 18, 2014 - The Wall Street Journal

Red Tape

'Lean Urbanism' Explained

“Lean urbanism” is the latest buzz-worthy term to enter the discussion on planning and urbanism. A recent article in Atlantic Cities explains the concept—which appeals to the younger generation as well as those with libertarian leanings.

March 17, 2014 - The Atlantic Cities

A Call to Regulators: Do More to Protect Electricity Infrastructure

America’s electricity infrastructure is vulnerable to physical attack. And while federal regulators have known this for years, they’ve been slow to compel security upgrades.

March 17, 2014 - Los Angeles Times

Rural Responsibility or Ruin?

The 2015 federal budget proposes a $50 minimum rent on subsidized rural rental housing to encourage “financial responsibility.” Will this really help the rural poor?

March 17, 2014 - Rooflines

How Public Surveys Aid the Planning Process

When planners are looking to find out what kind of developments residents like, one way is to ask them to weigh in. Planner Clement Lau shares key lessons learned about conducting and creating surveys as part of the planning process.

March 17, 2014 - UrbDeZine

Minority Groups Left Out of Housing Recovery

The same minority groups hit hardest by the housing bust are benefiting least during recovery.

March 17, 2014 - MetroTrends Blog

New Report Examines Higher Social Cost of Carbon

In the "Cost of Carbon Pollution" report, the Environmental Defense Fund, New York University's Institute for Policy Integrity, and the Natural Resources Defense Council claim the Obama Administration underscored the social cost of carbon pollution.

March 17, 2014 - Huffington Post

Trump Golf Courses Seek Environmental Certification

Donald Trump has committed to working with the environmental nonprofit Audubon International to improve the environmental practices on the 20 Trump Golf courses around the world.

March 15, 2014 - Environmental Leader

Infrastructure

Why Does Infrastructure Cost So Dang Much?

When it comes to infrastructure projects, “we're not just a bit behind the curve — we're ridiculously, embarrassingly behind the curve,” according to a recent article by Ryan Cooper.

March 14, 2014 - The Week

Keys to a Successful Land Bank

Philadelphia recently became the largest U.S. city to create a “land bank.” As new land banks spring up across the country, it is important to take a close look at what needs to accompany them if we want to have real impact.

March 14, 2014 - Urban Direction

Advice for Planning Commissioners with Advocacy In Their Blood

You probably didn't end up on your community's planning commission because of your lack of opinions. Now that you are performing this service to the community, how do you balance your past political inclinations and maintain a fair process?

March 14, 2014 - PlannersWeb

Millennial MadLibs

Friday Funny: Millennial MadLibs

Millennials are fascinating, that much is clear. But maybe the youngest generation isn't as easily generalized and described as some journalists and researchers would like to believe they are.

March 14, 2014 - MillennialMadLibs.com

A Call for Urban Infrastructure Investments

A recent article laments the missed opportunity of President Obama’s recent calls for increased spending on infrastructure: a lack of acknowledgement that cities are the best places to spend those dollars.

March 13, 2014 - Governing

Evaluating the Growth of Transportation Network Companies like Uber and Lyft

Transportation network companies like Uber, Lyft, and Sidecar are growing quickly. A recent article examines the potential of such networks to build new efficiencies into urban transportation, as well as some of the risks to that potential.

March 13, 2014 - LA.Streetsblog

What Cars Took: Lives

“There’s an open secret in America: If you want to kill someone, do it with a car,” says a recent article titled “Murder Machines.”

March 12, 2014 - Collectors Weekly

What Cars Took: the Middle Class

Following on the recent, promising news of increased transit ridership around the country, one writer calls for an end to the institutional bias toward cars. The key point of the appeal: public transit infrastructure benefits the middle class.

March 12, 2014 - The Week

Can New Financing Mechanism Deliver Multi-Modal Safety in Low-Income Areas?

A new bill in Congress would create a new $11 million program amidst the $1 billion Transportation Infrastructure Finance and Innovation Act (TIFIA) loan program. But can it deliver more safety improvements to under-served populations?

March 12, 2014 - USA Today

Supreme Court Delivers Blow to Rails-to-Trails

The Supreme Court ruled in favor of a private land owner in Wyoming, who sued to reclaim land once granted to a railroad under an 1875 law. The ruling undermines the legality of the nation’s network of public trails built on former rail right-of-way.

March 11, 2014 - SCOTUS Blog

Millennial Crowd

People Get Ready: Here Come the Millennials

As they settle into early adulthood, the anticipated and far-reaching impacts of the Millennial generation are formidable. Community planners, get ready. Change is a-comin.

March 11, 2014 - PlaceShakers

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.