United States

Smarter Solutions to Improve Our World

The next breakthrough in architecture may not come from the likes of Frank Gehry, according to Alex Goldmark, but from a chemist because they are the ones developing new compounds that aren't just stronger, or cleaner, but also smarter.

November 23, 2011 - This Big City

Thinking About Pedestrians, Bicylists, and Transit Users

Getting transportation professionals to think about including pedestrians, bicyclists, and transit users is a key first step in creating great places and livable communities. Thank “complete streets” movement, which has taken the U.S. by storm.

November 22, 2011 - Project For Public Spaces

CMG Landscape Architecture CEO on Multiple New Projects

Kevin Conger is CEO and one of the founding partners of Conger Moss Guillard (CMG) Landscape Architecture. A recent redevelopment project was labeled as a "climate positive." Conger explains how it meets those standards along with other projects.

November 22, 2011 - THE DIRT

Hybrid Vehicles Continue To Pose Disproportionate Threat To Pedestrians & Cyclists

While there remains a greater likelihood of a Prius or other hybrid-electric vehicle being involved in a crash with a pedestrian or cyclist over a conventionally-powered vehicle, the incidence has decreased since 2009.

November 22, 2011 - National Highway Traffic Safety Administration

Can Electric Cars Help Automakers Reach 55 MPG?

Consumers still have "range anxiety", the fear that electric cars won't get them to and from their destinations on one charge. NPR looks at the attitudes that are still keeping people from investing in electric vehicles.

November 21, 2011 - NPR Morning Edition

Bizarre Buildings Seen as Tourist Draw

Travel+Leisure Magazine presents a gallery of "the world's strangest buildings", which it presents as sites "worth a detour."

November 20, 2011 - Travel+Leisure

Redfining Planned Communities

They're no longer totally synonymous with sprawl, reports Lew Sichelman, and are beginning to be found in in unlikely places--indicative of a move to brownfield over greenfield development. Changing consumer preferences explain why.

November 20, 2011 - Chicago Tribune

Does Living in a Poor Neighborhood Harm Your Health?

A study conducted by the Department of Housing and Urban Development in the 1990s found that living in poor neighborhoods can actually hurt your health.

November 19, 2011 - TheCityFix.com

The Shrinking Middle Class

A new report from Stanford University looks at the changes in incomes and neighborhoods.

November 18, 2011 - The New York Times

The Marginalization of Jane Jacobs and Women Planners

Roberta Brandes Gratz writes that "When we talk about strategies for city growth and economic development, women aren't often offered seats at the table." Jacobs was the exception, and represented a challenge to male-dominated planning.

November 18, 2011 - The Atlantic Cities

As Congress Rejects Transportation Funding, Voters Embrace It

Ryan Holeywell reports that Congress and the Obama Administration are set against gas taxes, even as voters across the country are approving them to fund transportation and transit projects.

November 18, 2011 - Governing Magazine

Surveillance Cameras Work, Says New Study

Planners have debated for decades that surveillance cameras don't deter crime, more "eyes on the street" do. A recent study shows that the cameras are worth their expense, in some cases.

November 18, 2011 - Urban Institute

From Rooftops to Rivers

The NRDC gives cities a report card on their stormwater management strategies. Philadelphia tops their list.

November 18, 2011 - EarthFix

Planning for the Unplanned

Diana Limbach Lempel talks about the importance of allowing cities room to change, to experience entropy and remain elastic.

November 18, 2011 - POLIS

Congressional High Speed Rail Funding To Cease

In an unusual showing of agreement by both houses, it would appear that Congress will terminate funding for HSR in a bill that authorizes funding for the transportation department next year. The House hears the bill Nov. 17; Senate the next day.

November 17, 2011 - AP via NPR

Senate Approves Federal Funding for NJ Rail Tunnel

Despite cancelling the ARC Tunnel project last year, New Jersey may build an alternative tunnel using U.S. Senate funding.

November 15, 2011 - TheCityFix.com

New Efforts To Liven Up Parks

In Ohio, officials are looking at new ways to liven up their parks. They are providing incentives for volunteers to help beautify and maintain the parks, in addition to adding new programs to attract users to frequent the parks.

November 15, 2011 - American City and Country

Cities Need Less "Recycled Income" To Thrive

Bruce Katz of the Brookings Institution proposes that cities are fueling themselves too heavily through "Starbucks, stadia and stealing businesses," sources he says are just recycling local dollars instead of attracting global income sources.

November 15, 2011 - Governing Magazine

Jane Jacobs' Masterpiece, 50 Years Later

Anthony Flint looks at the legacy of Jane Jacobs upon the 50th anniversary of the release of "The Death and Life of Great American Cities."

November 14, 2011 - The Boston Globe

L.A. Vision, U.S. Promise: Implications of the America Fast Forward Proposal

Long known as a land of sprawl and disconnected communities, Los Angeles has emerged as a leader in transit investments, providing forward-thinking leadership for how infrastructure finance can and should continue, even in difficult financial times, writes Allison Brooks and Darnell Chadwick Grisby of Reconnecting America.

November 14, 2011 - Allison Brooks

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.