United States

In an age of increasingly distracted drivers, it's getting ever more hazardous to ply America's urban roads. The eighth annual “America’s Best Drivers Report,” issued by Allstate Insurance, explores exactly which cities are the most dangerous.

August 29, 2012 - Forbes

Two Atlantic editors investigate why the younger generation is not only driving less but also less likely to purchase homes than their baby boomer parents. Is it temporary, a result of a bad economy, or are these behaviors a permanent shift?

August 29, 2012 - The Atlantic (Magazine)

In Amanda Erickson's explanation of the history of urban planning, the profession as conceived at the start of the 20th century confronted a choice between creating beautiful people or beautiful cities. Why couldn't planners have created both?

August 29, 2012 - The Atlantic Cities

Charlie Gardner parses the data on mean commuting times recently released as part of the 2010 ACS estimates for metropolitan statistical areas, and wonders what the maximum mean travel time suggests for the urban form of America's cities.

August 29, 2012 - Old Urbanist

Intercity buses face new regulations as they continue to expand their services and compete for ridership, reports Susan Stellin.

August 29, 2012 - The New York Times

In an opinion piece for Bloomberg View, Edward Glaeser argues that the Army Corps of Engineers' influence on development in local communities is too far-reaching.

August 28, 2012 - Bloomberg

By requiring the U.S. auto fleet to average 54.5 miles per gallon by 2025, the standards announced today by the Obama administration will significantly cut U.S. oil consumption and greenhouse gas emissions, reports Juliet Eilperin.

August 28, 2012 - The Washington Post

Often times, the community development field and health philanthropy have worked in the same neighborhoods, but separately. This is changing, and the Robert Wood Johnson Foundation’s (RWJF) Marjorie Paloma told Shelterforce how.

August 28, 2012 - Shelterforce Magazine

Melanie Eversley writes on the healing power of urban gardens and farms for refugees new to the U.S. who are looking for a taste of home.

August 28, 2012 - USA Today

Eric Jaffe reports that taxing vehicle-miles traveled (VMT) is getting a closer look in cities across America. But will concerns over privacy and government competence scuttle a promising path to reducing congestion and increasing revenue?

August 28, 2012 - The Atlantic Cities

A new report details the growing adoption of Complete Streets policies in locales across the United States, despite the removal of a Complete Streets provision from the recent federal transportation bill.

August 27, 2012 - Better! Cities & Towns

Richard Florida takes the end of summer, and impending awakening of campuses across the country, as an opportunity to explore which of America's metro areas have the largest higher education concentrations.

August 27, 2012 - The Atlantic Cities

With Manhattan's new Second Avenue subway expected to cost five times as much as comparable projects in Europe and Asia, Stephen Smith looks to transit-construction practices from abroad for lessons on how to contain costs in America.

August 27, 2012 - Bloomberg View

The nonprofit Code for America (CfA) gets a laudatory write-up by Holly Finn in The Wall Street Journal for bringing transparency and innovation to local governments with stealth teams of "computer-savvy SEALs."

August 27, 2012 - The Wall Street Journal

For the second time, a court has thrown out EPA efforts to address pollution from power plants in 'clean-air' states that cause pollution downwind. This time, the Cross-State Air Pollution Rule was the victim.

August 25, 2012 - The New York Times - Environment

The latest installment in Planetizen's ongoing efforts to promote the world's biggest transit enthusiasts spotlights a very excited fellow who goes double rainbow-style crazy for heritage train cars.

August 24, 2012 - 22 Words

Money Magazine lists the top 20 best 'small cities' (pop. 50,000 to 300,000). Located in all corners of the U.S., these cities offer small town charm with big city amenities.

August 23, 2012 - Money

In a campaign event this morning GOP Presidential candidate Mitt Romney was set to announce his energy strategy for America. Romney's plan focuses on decreasing regulation, while increasing off-shore drilling, to reach energy independence.

August 23, 2012 - The New York Times

With drought conditions not seen in the U.S. since the middle of the last century, the battle to maintain the lushest lawn in the neighborhood has heated up. The Dirt bloggers report on the growing trend of lawn painting.

August 23, 2012 - THE DIRT

Vacant lots in American cities consume vast amounts of land, which many are now recognizing as places of opportunity. Some cities and citizens are transforming once empty urban spaces into vibrant community-fostering places.

August 23, 2012 - The Nature of Cities