United States
How Are You Celebrating National Community Planning Month?
October is National Community Planning Month in the United States, and the American Planning Association (APA) has launched an informative webpage chock full of resources to help you celebrate this year's theme: People and Places.
Will Obamacare Have an Impact on Urban Spaces?
Now that the dozens of repeal votes, budget battles, and court cases have failed to prevent the launch of the Affordable Care Act, we can turn our attention to its potential impacts. For cities and urban space, the Act's effects could be significant.
Have Internet, Will Travel—Just Not By Car
A new report from the U.S. PIRG Education Fund looks at how innovations in technology and social networking are changing the country's transportation landscape, and contributing to the decline in driving.
Which Cities Will be Harmed the Most by the Government Shutdown?
With 800,000 employees on indefinite furlough, national parks closed, and federal benefits and programs eroding, it's safe to say the government shutdown will effect millions of Americans. But some urban areas will feel the pinch more than others.
Boxer Proposes Wholesale Oil Tax to Replace Fed. Gas Tax
Taking a cue from states that have introduced new wholesale taxes on fuel that would presumably be passed to the consumer, Sen. Barbara Boxer has proposed replacing the 18.4-cent federal gas tax with an oil sales fee to be paid by oil refineries.
Population Density and Political-Party Preference Appear To Be Linked
A new scatterplot mapping population density against political-party preference delivers old news: urban areas tend to lean Democratic, while rural places go Republican.
As Economic Recovery Falters, More Americans Stay Put
According to Jed Kolko, Trulia’s Chief Economist, recent census mobility figures reveal the mixed nature of America’s economic recovery.
Developing a Block-by-Block Understanding of the Impacts of Climate Change
The best models of the impacts of climate change have been devoted to understanding global, or even national, changes. But NASA has devoted significant computational resources to projecting future climate conditions at the neighborhood level.
Feds Move to Boost Sustainable Transportation
With $11.2 million in federal, state and local funds, the US DOT is launching a National Center for Sustainable Transportation. The center aims to reduce the transport sector's contribution to climate change through research, education, and outreach.
One of America's Most Influential Landscape Architects Dies at 78
Innovative landscape architect James van Sweden, who along with Wolfgang Oehme created the “New American Garden” style of design, died last week at his home in Washington D.C.
Will Portland Lose its Status as America's Bike Commuting Champion?
While bike commuting is gaining nationwide, it's actually dropping in Portland which has held the enviable title of tops in bike commuting for large cities since 2005. Minneapolis and Seattle, #2 and #3 respectively, are gaining, warns BikePortland.
Why Transit Is Only Marginally Important to Transit-Oriented Development
In addition to some interesting findings regarding the relative benefits of investment in bus rapid transit, a new report from ITDP reached some fascinating conclusions concerning the factors most important to maximizing transit investment.
10 Cities Most at Risk From Natural Disasters
Natural disasters affect millions of people each year, and cost between $60 billion and $100 billion worldwide. Here are the 10 global cities most at risk.
Innovative Solutions for Preserving Affordable Rental Housing
As of 2010, the U.S. had a shortfall of 5.1 million housing units affordable to low-income renters. As the demand for such housing increases, preserving affordable units that exist is a much more cost effective solution than constructing new ones.
Studying the Moments Before Collisions to Help Prevent Them
An unprecedented study is tracking the behavior of drivers in the U.S. using cameras and sensors to observe how they interact with their vehicle and the road. Researchers hope to better understand the causes for collisions, and how to prevent them.
EPA Power Plant Rule Hinges on Unproven Technology
In order for new coal power plants to meet the EPA's new rules for reduced emissions, they will have to rely on unproven carbon capture and storage (or sequester) technologies, putting the legality of the rule in doubt.
Small Cities Show Bike Share Isn't Just for the Big Boys
While the successes, and travails, of bike share systems in cities like New York, Washington D.C., and Chicago get most of the attention, several smaller cities across the U.S. have managed to establish such systems without much fanfare.
Environmentalists Fight Feds Over Drilling in Utah's Treasured Public Lands
Utah's San Rafael Swell is the scene of an energy showdown between conservationists who want to preserve this unique landscape (potentially a national monument), private oil and gas companies that want to drill there, and the BLM that has to decide.
More Physical Activity and Better Diets Leading to Less Teenage Obesity
In another sign that efforts to reduce childhood obesity may be having an impact, a new study published in the journal Pediatrics has found increases in physical activity and the consumption of healthy foods among 11 to 16-year-old Americans.
Are the Dangers of Cycling Over-Hyped?
It goes without saying that cycling entails a degree of risk - but are they unduly discussed to the point that it reduces ridership? Cyclicious blogger Richard Masoner gave the issue thought when he heard of a cyclist fatality in a familiar area.
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
