United States

U.S. Demand For Gasoline Has Peaked

As improbable as it sounds, the U.S. hit 'peak gas demand' in 2006 at 9 million barrels per day. By 2030, experts predict it will be 20% lower. The decline is attributed to driving less, more efficient vehicles, and the addition of ethanol to gas.

December 22, 2010 - The (Lehigh

Postal Service as Mobile Urban Data Collector

The U.S. Postal Service operates a massive fleet of trucks and vans throughout the country. Michael Ravnitzky argues that this fleet could be easily modified to collect data about the places the vehicles go.

December 22, 2010 - The New York Times

New Census Figures Put U.S. Population at 308,745,538

NPR reports how it will affect the electoral college, noting those that will gain House seats (south and west; mostly red) and the losers (north and mid-west; LA the exception; mostly blue). The Times reports on the importance of minorities.

December 21, 2010 - National Public Radio

Biggest Environmental News of the Year

Grist runs down the ten most important environmental news stories of the year.

December 21, 2010 - Grist

Is "Urban Planner" One of the Best Careers of 2011?

Once again, US News and World Report singles out the world of planning as one of the best careers for the coming year. But the online comments tell another story.

December 20, 2010 - US News and World Report

Neighborhood Integration Improves, But Segregation Continues

While integration of African-Americans is improving, while Hispanics are still are increasingly living in their own neighborhoods according to new Census data.

December 20, 2010 - The Monterey County Herald

New Appointees to Transportation Committee Not Urban

Sam Staley says that new Republican appointees to the U.S. House Committee on Transportation and Infrastructure are primarily from rural districts, which doesn't bode well for urban transit funding.

December 20, 2010 - Reason.org

Could Terrorists Take Down the Power Grid?

Reports to Congress have suggested a terrorist attack on a minor substation could knock out the whole grid. An infrastructure expert says, "That's a bunch of hooey."

December 20, 2010 - Miller-McCune

The Motorist's Identity Crisis

Bicyclists and transit riders are losers - right? Or are they elitist, sneering yuppies? Brian Ladd says that people's attitudes and transportation choices are shaped by deep-seated feelings about respectability, and it planners should pay attention.

December 20, 2010 - Brian Ladd

You've Heard of Pocket Parks, but Pocket Airports?

A NASA-related agency envisions a future when people will commute from small neighborhood "pocket airports" in their "Suburban Air Vehicles" (SAVs).

December 20, 2010 - Gizmag

The Spatial Divide of Income Levels

Writing for Next American City, Yonah Freemark reviews recently released Census data to find increasing income levels in inner cities, and a growing spatial divide between poorer populations.

December 20, 2010 - Next American City

Streetcar the Savior?

Streetcars are increasingly seen as boons to local economies. And with a $130 million federal fund aimed at streetcar projects, some are expecting more systems to develop, according to this article. Others, though, still question the investment.

December 19, 2010 - CNN

Rural America Gets Even Sparser

Populations have declined in the majority of rural areas in the U.S., according to recent figures from the U.S. Census Bureau.

December 19, 2010 - Los Angeles Times

Federal Fiscal Reform's Impact at Lower Levels of Government

The Obama Administration is hoping to address the nation's huge deficits. Neal Peirce looks at how proposed solutions might trickle down to states and municipalities.

December 18, 2010 - Citiwire

China Enters U.S. Wind Market, Drawing Criticism

Chinese wind-turbine manufacturers are making a push into the U.S. market. Some say the move will create green jobs and foster growth, while others worry it threatens America's still-developing industry.

December 16, 2010 - The New York Times

Saving the Suburbs

Grist talks with Galina Tachieva, author of Sprawl Repair Manual.

December 16, 2010 - Grist

On Acela's 10-year Anniversary, Amtrak Looks Forward

Without doubt, the pride of the Amtrak fleet is the ten-year-old Acela train, the closest thing to high speed rail in existence in the United States. This piece looks at the current service and Amtrak's hope for the future for the northeast route.

December 16, 2010 - The Washington Post

The More Cars You Own, The More Likely You'll Default

That's the conclusion of a new study published in the Journal of Sustainable Real Estate. Higher WalkScores also show a decrease in defaults, unless you're in a low-income area, which results in an increase in defaults.

December 16, 2010 - New Urban Network

Animal Overpasses

Highways can be deadly for animals, especially when they cut directly through habitats. A recently completed design competition sought ideas for creating animal-safe bridges over highways.

December 16, 2010 - The Wall Street Journal

Jobs on the Rise in Rural America

More than two-thirds of rural areas in the United States have seen growth in jobs since 2009, according to this article from The Daily Yonder.

December 15, 2010 - The Daily Yonder

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.