United States

Beantown Builds in Bulk

Boston has seen an increase of new construction over the past few years, mostly concentrated along the waterfront and its "Innovation District." The Architect's Newspaper has compiled a list of the most high-profile developments in the city.

December 13, 2012 - The Architect's Newspaper

Using Brownfields to Heal Contaminated Communities

Ronda Kaysen reports on the growing trend in transforming brownfield sites in disadvantaged communities into health centers, "in essence taking a potential source of health problems for a community and turning it into a place for health care."

December 13, 2012 - The New York Times

Can a 600-Mile Transfusion Revive the Colorado River?

The Colorado River is struggling to provide enough water for 25 million people, which could lead to water shortages and water wars in the areas that rely on its bounty. Officials are looking to find a long-term solution, reports Felicity Barringer.

December 12, 2012 - The New York Times

Five Ways to Put a Smile on a Cyclist's Face

With cycling rates increasing across America, it's probably a safe bet that you know and care for a bicyclist who would be ecstatic to receive one of Fast Company's "safe, stylish, and fun" gift ideas this holiday season.

December 12, 2012 - Fast Company Co.Exist

Why Public Health Makes Business Sense

In the increasing competition between cities, regions, and states for the highly desirable jobs and industries driving economic growth in these difficult times, community health has become a key ingredient in attracting employers.

December 12, 2012 - Governing

Raleigh Paves the Way for Walkability

Raleigh, North Carolina didn't take getting placed sixth most dangerous metro area in the country lightly back in 2009, and recently drafted a Comprehensive Pedestrian Plan in response.

December 12, 2012 - The Atlantic Cities

Traffic Deaths at Historic Lows; Ped and Bike Fatalities Increasing

New data released this week shows that automobile fatalities dropped last year to the lowest level in 62 years. At the same time, deaths of bicyclists, pedestrians, motorcycle riders and big-rig truck drivers increased, reports Ashley Halsey III.

December 11, 2012 - The Washington Post

Is America Turning the Tide in the Battle of the Bulge?

Sabrina Tavernise reports on promising news concerning one of America's most formidable public health crises: for the first time in decades several American cities are reporting declines in childhood obesity rates.

December 11, 2012 - The New York Times

Bodybuilding Moves to the Playground

Haya El Nasser reports on the latest trend in park design: free public 'fitness parks' that feature exercise equipment "built to withstand the rigor of weather vandalism."

December 11, 2012 - USA Today

Food for Thought from the APA

The APA has published the final results of a longitudinal study conducted in partnership with the Robert Wood Johnson Foundation that surveyed the national landscape of food access planning.

December 11, 2012 - APA Sustaining Places

Battle Against Homelessness Making Progress, But Will Fall Short of Goals

A report released today shows that the federal government has been effective in reducing homelessness over the last several years, but will fall short of goals for eradicating homelessness among the most vulnerable populations.

December 10, 2012 - The New York Times

Mapping the Leaders of Public Interest Design

For its inaugural list of the "Public Interest Design 100," PublicInterestDesign.org and research partner the University of Minnesota College of Design have identified the key figures leading the convergence of design and service.

December 10, 2012 - Architizer

Massive Engineering Projects Transform Seattle's Waterfront

The formerly industrial shoreline of Puget Sound will soon undergo $4.5 billion worth of engineering projects that will complete Seattle's waterfront transformation, reports Kirk Johnson.

December 9, 2012 - The New York Times

Rentals Drive Return of Residential Development

Across the country, even in metro areas more accustomed to single-family sprawl, multi-family housing is driving the residential construction recovery, report Shaila Dewan and Nelson D. Schwartz.

December 8, 2012 - The New York Times

Obama Doubles Down on High-Speed Rail

Undaunted by Republican opposition, public setbacks, and budgetary constraints, President Obama plans to forge ahead with his ambitious plan to develop high-speed rail systems across the U.S.

December 7, 2012 - The Washington Post

Invest in Public Transit to Slow Climate Change

Reflecting on the significance and impact of Superstorm Sandy, Bill McKibben and Lawrence J. Hanley propose a 3-step process focused on mass transit that America should pursue to promote community development, public health and the environment.

December 7, 2012 - The Huffington Post

California's Alternative Energy Strategy, or Lack Thereof, Heads for a Reckoning

California has set a deadline of 2020 to rely less on fossil fuels and more on alternative energy, but a report finds this strategy could end up emptying ratepayers' pockets and damaging the state's environmental resources, reports Julie Cart.

December 7, 2012 - The Los Angeles Times

Santa Cruz cargo bike ride

Bicyclists, Not Drivers, are the Better Consumers

Familiar with the perception that bicyclists are generally kids with no money and too much time? Emily Badger discusses the findings of a study that shows riders out-consume drivers over the course of a month for all businesses except grocery stores.

December 7, 2012 - The Atlantic Cities

Unlocking Ideas for Re-Purposing America's Prisons

The good news - America is closing its prisons. The bad news - America is closing its prisons. Emily Badger asks how "all these empty, peculiar and often isolated buildings" can be reused.

December 6, 2012 - The Atlantic Cities

Re-imagining the Fiscal Architecture of Our Cities

For Michael A. Pagano, local municipalities went awry in designing fiscal systems during the 20th century by fabricating what he refers to as “a crazy quilt of local revenue.” He proposes some possibilities for getting cities back on track.

December 6, 2012 - The Atlantic Cities

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.

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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.