United States

Will Apple's Silicon Valley HQ Appeal to Young Techies?

As young tech talent increasingly calls San Francisco home, some wonder whether investing in large, opulent headquarters in suburban Cupertino is a risky decision for even the most successful tech companies.

December 29, 2013 - Wired

Why is Cycling More Dangerous in the States?

The Organization for Economic Cooperation and Development reveals why Americans don't use the healthiest, cleanest form of transportation. Hint: it has to do with the frequent injuries we're trying to avoid.

December 29, 2013 - The Atlantic Cities

Los Angeles Traffic - The Newhall Pass

Replace the Gas Tax with a "Ton-Mile Fee"

As we inexorably approach the day the Highway Trust Fund goes broke, more policy experts offer creative alternatives to the per gallon gasoline tax. Michael Webber of the Energy Institute at UT Austin describes his option in a New York Times op-ed.

December 27, 2013 - The New York Times - Opinion

Declining Electricity Sales in a Growing Economy: Aberration or New Normal?

Electricity sales normally grow and fall with economic activity, but since 2011, that pattern has been turned on its head. The Washington Post offers four explanations for the change and how it threatens utilities' very existence.

December 26, 2013 - The Washington Post - Wonkblog

Developers Bet that Micro Apartments Will Work in Smaller Cities

The relatively low cost of micro apartments in high rent cities such as N.Y. and San Francisco makes them a feasible alternative for singles, but will they attract millennials in smaller, lower-rent cities like Providence, Cleveland and Worcester?

December 26, 2013 - The Wall Street Journal - U.S.

Popular Federal Tool for Investing in Distressed Areas Again Under Threat

A year after it was rescued from elimination, the federal New Market Tax Credit program is again facing extinction. Congress must act before the end of the year to save the popular tool for subsidizing investment in underserved communities.

December 26, 2013 - Next City

Bike Signal on the Hornby Separated Bike Lane in Vancouver

Possibly Coming to a City Near You: Bike Boxes, Bike Traffic Signals

Bike boxes and bike traffic signals can greatly assist cyclists in navigating through intersections where the majority of bike-motor vehicle collisions occur. A key advisory committee may recommend official acceptance, which would green-light them.

December 24, 2013 - Streetsblog

Lawsuit Aims to Chop Down Proposed Minneapolis Park

A park planned to accompany Minneapolis' new football stadium has raised controversy because of the amount of proposed subsidies. While the details are worked out, planners consider the elements that will ensure its success.

December 24, 2013 - Next City

Evacuated Highway 401

When Driving Wanes, Local Economies Gain

Want to boost your local economy and produce significant environmental dividends at the same time? Just drive one mile less per day says a new report from CEOs for Cities.

December 23, 2013 - Fast Company Co.Exist

Whole Foods as Gentrification Bellwether

Whole Foods' newest store in Gowanus, Brooklyn is causing local vendors and artists to tread "a fine line" between reaching new customers and supporting what they think of as new, "big" development.

December 23, 2013 - The New Yorker

Bioswale

Saving More Than Water: Big Benefits from Green Infrastructure

A new report from the Natural Resources Defense Council demonstrates that commercial investment in green infrastructure, particularly in stormwater management, can lead to substantial financial benefits for both owners and tenants.

December 22, 2013 - NRDC Switchboard

Applauding the Bus: Transit's Unsexy Workhorse

Though new streetcars, light rail, and subway projects get much of the attention, the lowly bus does most of the heavy public transit lifting across the U.S. Even in rail-heavy cities like Philadelphia and Chicago, bus ridership exceeds trains.

December 22, 2013 - Next City

Produce Aisle

Food Stamps and Place: New Cuts Could Dry Up Food Desert Improvements

Perhaps the only greater injustice than the existence of food deserts is a willing and unfeeling action to re-create them.

December 19, 2013 - Benjamin Chrisinger

How to Predict the Next Hot Hood

The growing interest in city living is transforming urban neighborhoods throughout the United States. But how can one get in on the rising tide before becoming priced out? Charlie Wells provides some clues.

December 19, 2013 - The Wall Street Journal

Seven Items Top U.S. DOT's To-Do List for 2014

A new report by the U.S. Department of Transportation's lead watchdog outlines the top challenges the department faces in the coming year. Expanding oversight and improving air, rail and road safety top the list.

December 19, 2013 - Governing

U.S. Census Bureau Launches New Interactive Mapping Tool

Christmas has come early for those who love to dig into Census data and interactive visualizations. The U.S. Census Bureau has launched a new interactive tool that maps eight statistics from the American Community Survey at the neighborhood level.

December 18, 2013 - U.S. Census Bureau

If You Want Accurate Traffic Projections, Don't Listen to DOTs

Analysis by the State Smart Transportation Initiative (SSTI) finds that the traffic projections used by state and local transportation agencies, which form the basis for spending priorities, are consistently higher than actual results.

December 18, 2013 - DC.Streetsblog

Farms Become the Latest Must-Have Suburban Amenity

Forget about golf courses and swimming pools, says Luke Runyon, developers are drawing in residents by integrating fully functioning farms into their new neighborhoods.

December 18, 2013 - NPR

De Blasio Looks to Spread Progressive Message Beyond New York

While NYC's outgoing mayor looks to spread the gospel of his city-making success stories, the city's next mayor is already seeking allies from across the country to help solve some of the challenges overlooked by the current administration.

December 17, 2013 - Bloomberg Politics

Energy Boom Warrants Rethinking 1970's Energy Policies

Harkening back to the long lines at gas stations that erupted after the 1973 Arab oil embargo, followed by diminishing oil production, US crude oil exports were prohibited. With production booming, energy czar Ernest Moniz may reconsider that policy.

December 17, 2013 - The New York Times - Energy & Environment

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.