United States

Teaching Urban Lessons from Rural Landscapes

Chuck Wolfe's photoshoot in the Palouse region of southeastern Washington State shows the timeless issues of human settlement, from agrarian to urban.

July 9, 2013 - The Huffington Post

Portland Cycling

How Did Portland Become North America's Bicycling Capital?

In retrospect, it may seem like Portland’s biking boom was inevitable. But not too long ago the city was eclipsed by other Pac NW cities for share of bicycle commuters. What happened between 2002-2008 to kick-start the city’s bike craze?

July 9, 2013 - BikePortland

Quebec Rail Disaster Revives Oil Pipeline vs. Crude-By-Rail Debate

In a scene reminiscent of the Denzel Washington movie "Unstoppable", but without the heroic ending, an unmanned, 72-car oil train traveled 7 miles to Lac-Mégantic, pop. 6,000, where it derailed, setting off a fireball downtown. 5 fatalities so far.

July 8, 2013 - The New York Times

Cargo Bikes Go Mainstream

Spotted on the front page of Saturday's WSJ is a picture of a Yuba Mundo longtail cargo bike, directing readers to Tom Vanderbilt's feature article of the "Off Guard" section describing the many types of cargo bikes. Main cargo is kids and groceries.

July 8, 2013 - The Wall Street Journal

Familiarity Fostered on Foot Breeds Social Movements

A new study suggests that density, mixed-use neighborhoods, short city blocks, and, crucially, walkability foment political and social activism, reports Richard Florida.

July 8, 2013 - The Atlantic Cities

Studying the Psychology of Sacred Green Spaces

Over 20 years, the TKF Foundation has funded the creation of dozens of “green refuges from the stresses of modern life”. With $4.5 million in funding for six new projects, they’re out to prove the physical and psychological benefits of such spaces.

July 6, 2013 - The Atlantic Cities

America's Overlooked Demographic Superstar: Sunshine

Hopefully you were able to enjoy some summer sun on this Fourth of July. If you're among the many Americans who helped propel population growth in the country's warmer states over the last century, you likely did.

July 4, 2013 - The Atlantic Cities

Will America Take the Lead on Climate Change?

Mark Landler reviews the recent efforts of the Obama administration to make headway on climate change through executive order, diplomacy and economic incentive.

July 4, 2013 - The New York Times

The Who, Where, and How Many of America’s Working Artists

A new study published by the National Endowment for the Arts profiles America's 2 million professional artists (including architects), with information on artist salaries, a breakdown of occupations, and the cities with the most working artists.

July 4, 2013 - The Washington Post

Union Stock Yards 1907

Stunning Images from America's Urban Past

Independence Day is a day to reflect on America's history; and with many of the activities associated with the holiday (parades, fireworks) set on urban stages, it's the perfect occasion to enjoy some amazing images of the country's urban past.

July 4, 2013 - Chicago Magazine

Outgoing DOT Head Shares His Vision of the Future of Transportation in America

On Tuesday, Anthony Foxx was sworn in as America's 17th transportation secretary. But before he could take over the keys to the department, outspoken DOT head Ray LaHood spoke with Sommer Mathis about the future of transport in America.

July 3, 2013 - The Atlantic Cities

Leave it to beaver house

Why 'Leave it to Beaver' Neighborhoods are Ripe for Renewal

The nation has a huge quantity of postwar housing that can be made more walkable and appealing to new generations of residents. Robert Steuteville examines what makes them good candidates and notes some examples of successful retrofits.

July 3, 2013 - Better! Cities & Towns

Are Electric Cars Any Greener Than Conventional Ones?

As substantial state and federal subsidies for electric cars continue, and the number of vehicles on America's roads climbs, a new article is raising questions about their environmental benefits over conventional cars.

July 3, 2013 - DC.Streetsblog

New Mapping Tool Tracks America's Spreading Poverty

A number of recent reports have examined the growing levels of poverty found in America's suburbs. An interactive map developed by the Urban Institute makes the dimensions and trajectories of that growth clear.

July 3, 2013 - The Atlantic Cities

Could Mandatory Insurance Prevent Vacant Building Blight?

Abandoned factories litter the landscapes of cities and towns throughout the Rust Belt. A new paper proposes an innovative solution to help prevent vacant buildings from plaguing a community before a building is ever constructed.

July 2, 2013 - The Atlantic Cities

More Than a Toll Increase Needed to Fund Ohio's Transportation Projects

A 2.7% increase on Ohio Turnpike Tolls and the new bonds that revenue will generate will not be enough to repair Ohio's aging road and bridge network, so a task force will recommend strategies - one of which must be elimination of the gas excise tax.

July 2, 2013 - The Plain Dealer

The Simple Solution to Climate Change: Tax Carbon Emissions

President Obama recently unveiled his 21-page framework for tackling climate change. But for some economists, that's twenty pages too many. A tax on carbon emissions is a simple, elegant, and relatively painless way to reduce emissions, they believe.

July 2, 2013 - NPR

What Grade Would You Give Obama's Climate Action Plan?

Two very different grades are assigned, one from David Hawkins, Director of Climate Programs at NRDC; the other from a college senior working on a fossil fuel divestment campaign. Michael Brune of the Sierra Club differs with Hawkins on natural gas.

July 1, 2013 - Living on Earth

Researchers Propose an Alternative to High-Density, Carless Sustainable Development

Can we combine our love affair with cars and single-family homes with sustainable growth? Mark Delucchi and Kenneth S. Kurani think so.

June 30, 2013 - The Atlantic Cities

Supreme Court Statue

Koontz Decision: No Big Deal or Blow to Sustainable Development?

In a forceful op-ed, professor John D. Echeverria argues the Supreme Court's recent "blockbuster" land use decision will "result in long-lasting harm to America’s communities." Not so fast, says Rick Hills, the decision offers an "exit strategy".

June 30, 2013 - The New York Times

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.