United States

Regulation Success Story: Diesel Emissions Greatly Reduced

Thanks to the 2010 federal requirement of ultra-low sulfur diesel fuel and new Tier 4 emissions standards by the EPA, particulate emissions from non-road diesel engines, including agricultural and construction equipment, have been reduced by 99%.

March 24, 2014 - Environmental Health News

Social Justice Through Tiny House Communities

Tiny houses aren’t just for eco-warriors. They can also be a means for homeless and mentally ill individuals to reenter mainstream society.

March 23, 2014 - Grist

N.C. Coal Ash Spill Sheds Light On Role Played by EPA

The federal investigation of Duke Energy's Feb. 2 coal ash spill sheds light not only on the company and its state regulator, but also on that of the Environmental Protection Agency and holds wider implications for the coal industry as a whole.

March 23, 2014 - The Wall Street Journal - U.S.

Rejecting the Popular Transit Ridership Narrative

A recent study claimed that transit ridership had reached the highest levels seen in 57 years. Wendell Cox, however, argues that the narrative about a “fundamental shift” in the transportation paradigm is a misrepresentation of the truth.

March 20, 2014 - New Geography

Is Providence, RI the Most Exciting Mid-Size City in America?

You’re totally forgiven for snickering; most people wouldn’t have guessed that a city in Rhode Island would have made it anywhere near the top of a list of exciting cities.

March 20, 2014 - Movoto Blog

Walkable Street

The Underlying Patterns of Urban Street Design

Based on empirical study, J. Alexander Maxwell and fellow University of Strathclyde researchers, in collaboration with Chuck Wolfe, argue for recalling historic patterns of pedestrian city settings in contemporary urban design and policies.

March 20, 2014 - London School of Economics and Political Science - American Politics and Policy Blog

Conservation Distict

Deconstructing the Policing of Conservation Subdivision Design Standards

Continuing a conversation about the definition of conservation subdivisions, this article examines the inconsistent application of the term by policymakers. Moreover, the auto-dependent realities of rural development require more critical thinking.

March 19, 2014 - James LaGro

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

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.