United States
It's Time to Revolutionize America's Water Infrastructure
America’s water infrastructure is behind the times. With over 240,000 water main breaks annually, and only 3.8% of wastewater being reused, the country’s water systems scored a D from the American Society of Civil Engineers on its 2013 report card.
Don't Go Quoting Those Urban Boomer Growth Figures Just Yet
Remember those recent articles in respected national news organizations that reported a million baby boomers had moved to America's 50 largest cities between 2000 and 2010? According to Wendell Cox, they had the story backwards.
End of the Line Looms for Short Amtrak Routes
In 19 states across America, "small-town mayors, state budget hawks and fans of passenger rail" are debating whether to subsidize passenger rail service or see it disappear thanks to a 2008 Congressional mandate. States have until Oct. 1 to pony up.
Density Is the New Fertility Bogeyman
Joel Kotkin's muddle-headed theory on babies and urban living is aimed at blocking housing choice for young families, argues Robert Steuteville.
Turning Infrastructure Into Amenity
As part of its ongoing series on "Reimagining Infrastructure", Orion Magazine features five projects that show how a new generation of infrastructure projects are creatively integrating form with function to create community amenities.
Dramatic U.S. Fertility Decline Appears to be Stabilizing
The U.S. fertility rate has declined 9% since the onset of the recession in 2007, with births declining every year. The decrease appears to have leveled off last year, a sign of an improved economy, though the change varied among age and race groups.
Land Rush Is On as Builders Try to Catch Up to Housing Demand
As the housing market roars back to life, the price of "dirt", or developable land, is surging in America's most desirable areas - including the outer suburbs. A shortage of lots is said to be hampering the housing recovery.
Where Do Recent Grads Have the Best Chance of Finding a Job?
New York and Los Angeles lead the U.S. with the most job openings in fields that require a college education. But these cities also have the largest pool of competitors. By applying a "location quotient", a different picture of opportunity emerges.
The Overlooked Beauty of the American Freeway
The constant criticism of America's freeways makes it difficult to appreciate this infrastructure as important economic and cultural artifacts and a wonderful way to see the country.
New Resident Attempts to Turn a Tiny Community Into a White Supremacist Colony
Paul Craig Cobb was welcomed to a small town in North Dakota when he arrived last year and bought 12 plots of land. Now, his neighbors are distressed since learning of his plans to turn Leith, ND into a white supremacist stronghold.
Does Obama's Keystone XL Decision Still Matter?
John Upton notes some startling changes among Gulf oil refineries - the ones that had been clamoring for the Keystone XL pipeline to be built in order to access Canada's oil sands. It's been two years - and the oil is flowing - with or without it.
Size of A City's Middle Class Predicts Poor's Economic Mobility
Researchers find that among the largest 100 metro regions in the U.S. , those with a larger middle class, provide higher economic mobility.
Developers Hack Conventional Office Spaces to Attract Corporate America
The decline of the 9 to 5 business district and changing corporate culture have landlords and tenants clamoring "to make their offices less square" and architects and planners eager to help transform conventional office spaces.
College Campuses Embrace Bike Share
In order to differentiate themselves from other universities, some are offering perks to students, such as bike share programs or free bikes in exchange for not driving.
Seven Skyscraper Design Fails
This week, sun rays bouncing off the "Walkie-Talkie" skyscraper in London have caused cars to melt and forced the city to ban parking in the area. Here are 7 other skyscraper design fails that have led to mishaps and disasters for cities.
Walking While Distracted: Pedestrian Injuries Rise Amongst Teens
A study finds that 20% of high school students cross the street while being distracted by a digital device.
What's Causing The Decline In Driving?
U.S. Public Interest Research Group does a state-by-state analysis of the decline in driving in an attempt to determine it's chief causes.
How To Make A City Great
Respected consulting firm McKinsey & Company offers a detailed report on the steps city leaders around the world take to transform their cities into great places to live and work.
Cities Struggle with Spread of E-Cigarette Smoke Shops
The $1 billion electronic cigarette industry has boomed in the last year; Southern California cities, shell-shocked from the spread of marijuana dispensaries, are struggling to cope with the storefront businesses.
Food Stamp Numbers Indicate Sharp Rise In Suburban Poverty
When you think about poverty, do you picture the suburbs? New data suggests that you should.
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
