United States

Top Landscape Architecture Programs Rated by DesignIntelligence

Harvard comes out on top for their master of landscape architecture program, while the best bachelor's degree, according to DesignIntelligence, is from Louisiana State University.

December 8, 2010 - ASLA's The Dirt blog

New LEED Draft Singles Out 'Location and Transportation'

A draft of new LEED requirements has been released for public comment, and it includes a new category that accounts for location and accessibility.

December 8, 2010 - BuildingGreen.com

Long Topped By AC, DC is Key to Renewable Energy

Alternating current (AC) beat out direct current (DC) because it worked well over short distances. But direct current is significantly easier to control on a smart grid and travels better, says Herman J. Trabish.

December 8, 2010 - greentechmedia

Should Retrofitting Our Suburbs Take Center Stage?

In this opinion piece from The Huffington Post, Alex Becker argues that retrofitting suburban landscapes with denser development trumps all other sustainability agendas as the single most important path to a more sustainable future.

December 7, 2010 - The Huffington Post

Can A Tranportation Bill Pass Without Earmarks?

Transportation bills are notorious for being chock full of earmarks, and with new attention being brought to curbing them, how will good policy get passed? A handful of experts are discussing the problem over at the National Journal.

December 7, 2010 - NationalJournal

Urban Planning Musical Takes the Stage in Brooklyn

A new musical comedy, "In the Footprint: The Battle Over Atlantic Yards," brings song and dance to the conflict over the redevelopment of the Atlantic Yards in Brooklyn. The NY Times reviews it as "fresh, inventive"...and "entertaining."

December 6, 2010 - The New York Times

Walkable Cities, Walkable Neighborhoods

New neighborhood-level data from the walkability rating website Walk Score has broadened the view of what it means to live in a walkable city.

December 6, 2010 - Nate Berg

It's A Real Town After All

Last week saw the first murder ever in the Disney-developed (and much scrutinized) town of Celebration, Florida. Will this mean the 14-year old town of 11,000 has finally shaken off its idealized persona?

December 6, 2010 - New Urban Network

Revenue-Hungry Cities Look to PILOTs

Budget-constrained cities are increasingly looking at PILOTs -- payments in lieu of taxes that some tax-exempt nonprofit organizations contribute to cities.

December 6, 2010 - Citiwire

Cities Preparing for Lower Revenues

As recession-reduced property tax levels begin to play out in cities across the U.S., municipalities are beginning to react to the realities of lowered revenues.

December 5, 2010 - Citiwire

For Community Attachment, It's Love and Then Money

A new study shows that three qualities - social offerings, openness, and beauty - strengthen residents' level of community attachment more than other urban variables, and that passion for place may be a leading indicator of local economic growth.

November 30, 2010 - New Urban Network

For Sale: Organic Farm Included

Developers are building more and more residential communities around organic farms, banking on increased resident demand for locally grown food, outdoor recreation space, and small-town charm.

November 30, 2010 - The Los Angeles Times

Theft Apparently Not a Problem for Bike-Sharing Programs in the U.S.

Bike-sharing can't seem to shake its reputation for being a crime magnet, as in Paris. But here in the United States, theft and vandalism simply haven't emerged as problems, says Noah Kazis.

November 29, 2010 - Streetsblog

A Boom in Bike Commuting

NPR reports on the impressive growth - a tripling, even - of bicycling in the United States, with a particular focus on commuting.

November 29, 2010 - NPR

Commercializing the Landscape

When an Apple Store wanted to move into the Georgetown neighborhood in D.C., the Design Review Board pushed for a more fitting facade. After a backlash from residents eager for an Apple, the trademark building went in. Is Georgetown better off?

November 28, 2010 - Planning Commissioners Journal

The Modern-Day Reality of New Deal Utopias

This slideshow from Design Observer takes a look at New Deal-era utopian cities as they exist today.

November 25, 2010 - Design Observer

Changing Federal Politics, But Potential at State and Metro Levels

In this episode of Next American City's podcast, the Brookings Institution's Bruce Katz discusses the future of federal policy as the country's political makeup changes after the mid-term elections.

November 25, 2010 - Next American City

Mayors Call 'Dangerous Cities' List a Turkey

The annual list of America's "Most Dangerous Cities" has prompted complaints from the U.S. Conference of Mayors -- a group typically dissatisfied with the list.

November 25, 2010 - SF Appeal

GOP Moves to Rescind Stimulus Funding for High-Speed Rail

The American Recovery and Reinvestment Rescission Act was introduced by House Republicans to return $12 billion in unspent American Recovery and Reinvestment Act funds, aka stimulus funds, targeting the nation's largest public works project, CA HSR.

November 24, 2010 - San Mateo County Times via Mercury News

Rendell on the Future of America's Infrastructure

Pennsylvania Governor Ed Rendell has been one of the loudest voices championing the importance of infrastructure investment in recent years. In this interview, he talks about where things are heading and what work remains.

November 24, 2010 - Transportation Nation

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.