United States

What Will Fuel Your Motor Vehicle in 10 Years?

Alternative fueled vehicles are increasing and will continue to gain in the next decade, according to a new report by the Fuels Institute, but light duty vehicles powered by gasoline will dominate. Diesel fuel will power 94% of heavier vehicles.

December 17, 2013 - Fuels Institute

Why the Titans of Tech Must Become Better Urbanists

Technology companies are increasing their presence in cities, adopting the language of planners, and seeking to create communities. Yet, according to Allison Arieff, the sector does a uniformly poor job of contributing to urban vitality.

December 16, 2013 - The New York Times

Holiday Gifts

Holiday Gift Ideas for the Plan-Nerd

Holiday gift recommendations for your urban planning geek friend or family member (or yourself) from L.A.'s ultra-plan-nerd, Clement Lau.

December 15, 2013 - UrbDeZine.com

Harvard Square

Census Data Shows Which Cities Encourage the Most Walking

Multiple metrics have been developed to measure which areas are the most friendly to pedestrians. But by looking at Census Data on commuting patterns, one can glean which city's residents are making the most of their "walkable" environs.

December 14, 2013 - Governing

You're Paying for Parking, Whether You Use It or Not

Think you’re not paying for parking because you opted out of renting a space in your apartment complex’s garage? Think again.

December 14, 2013 - The Atlantic Cities

Feds Get Behind Participatory Budgeting

Participatory budgeting (PB) has been tried on a limited local level in several cities across the United States. A new White House initiative indicates the practice may become a common way of determining how to distribute certain federal funds.

December 14, 2013 - Next City

Architect Julia Morgan Awarded AIA Gold Medal

The American Institute of Architects (AIA) announced today that Julia Morgan, designer of some 700 buildings including Hearst Castle, will be the first female architect to receive the organization's highest honor.

December 13, 2013 - Architect

Bike Share's Demographic Challenge

Bike share is in some ways the opposite of public transit, from a demographic perspective. While transit is often disproportionately patronized by low income riders, bike share is overwhelmingly avoided by that same group. NPR looks for the reasons.

December 13, 2013 - NPR

Food Pantry

American Cities Face Rising Hunger and Homelessness Crisis

Despite economic improvement across the country, a recent survey of 25 American cities finds homelessness and hunger are on the rise. With the federal government cutting resources, providing for the neediest is expected to be harder next year.

December 12, 2013 - Los Angeles Times

Summit Prescribes Walking as America's "Wonder Drug"

At America's first ever "Walking Summit", physicians, planners, developers, and community activists gathered to discuss how physical activity can help heal people and communities.

December 12, 2013 - PPS Placemaking Blog

Envisioning a Future Urban Dronescape

Jeff Bezos' proposal to deliver packages by aerial drone has the potential to upset traditional models of logistics and distribution, but it's most powerful effect may be on the urban airspace. Are blue skies ahead for Bezos' vision?

December 12, 2013 - This Big City

Tougher Driving Laws Prevent Deaths, So Why Don't States Adopt Them?

A new study that compares how each of the 50 states regulates dangerous motorist behaviors has found that those with the toughest laws have the least traffic deaths. So why don't more states adopt “evidence-based policies”?

December 11, 2013 - The Atlantic Cities

Empty Parking Garage

See, You Really Can Build Urban Housing Without Parking

New apartment developments are popping up in cities like Boston, Seattle, and Miami without one key feature: on-site parking. These projects prove that providing parking isn't necessary to lure residents, even in cities not named New York.

December 11, 2013 - DC.Streetsblog

What to Expect from the New "Most Powerful Man in Housing"

After a protracted fight, the Senate has finally confirmed Rep. Mel Watt (D-N.C.) to head the Federal Housing Finance Agency (FHFA), which oversees Fannie Mae and Freddie Mac. What direction will he steer the United States' housing finance system?

December 11, 2013 - The Washington Post

Rising Rents Burden Record Number of Americans

Rising rents, stagnant incomes and the effects of the recession have pushed a record number of Americans to take on hazardous housing cost burdens, says a new report. Low-income renters are especially vulnerable.

December 10, 2013 - The Washington Post

AAA Wants to Boost Your Gas Taxes?

Yes - the nonprofit organization representing 53 million motorists in the U.S. and Canada sees value in raising the gas tax to improve the nation's roads, bridges and transit systems. UPS, a major road user, agrees. But there are many detractors.

December 10, 2013 - The Washington Post

Urban Land Institute Encourages Developers to Build for Better Health

The Urban Land Institute has a new project: convincing developers that they can, and should, design for health and wellness.

December 10, 2013 - Los Angeles Times

U.S. Wetlands Disappearing at a Rising Rate

A federal study shows that America's wetlands are disappearing faster than efforts can restore and recreate them, with serious consequences for endangered species and our quality of life.

December 10, 2013 - The Washington Post

Suburban Office Building

Large Companies Moving Back to Cities

The movement stems from demographic changes in the work force. For companies seeking younger hires, they need to go to where they prefer to live. Suburban campuses may be replaced by urban headquarters or the addition of satellite offices in cities.

December 10, 2013 - The Wall Street Journal

East Coasters Aim to Force Midwesterners to Clean Up Their Air

Concerned that a controversial "good neighbor rule" doesn't go far enough in keeping dirty air from wafting over the East Coast, governors of eight states are petitioning the EPA to enforce stricter pollution standards on their Midwestern neighbors.

December 9, 2013 - The New York Times

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.