United States

Transit Accessibility Key to Green

Homes located near transit stops are more energy efficient than homes classified "energy efficient", according to a new study from the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency.

March 10, 2011 - USA Today

BRT Lessons From Latin America

An event held at The Brookings Institution invited transit experts to discuss the lessons learned from BRT systems in Latin America and their applicability in the United States.

March 9, 2011 - Sustainable Cities Collective

Reusing Broken Concrete as a Method of Sustainable Construction

NYC is reusing materials from a construction site in Queens to redesign the area's streetscape with pedestrian safety in mind.

March 9, 2011 - THE DIRT

Controlling Growth in SunBelt Cities

Cities in California, Florida, Arizona, and Nevada that were "sunburnt" by the economic recession need to smartly manage their future growth.

March 9, 2011 - USA Today

Driving Up, But Down Per Capita

New data from the Federal Highway Administration shows that vehicle miles traveled are up to their highest level since 2007. But when population growth is factored in, those levels drop significantly.

March 9, 2011 - Brookings Institution

NYC MTA Dumps Subway Cars In Ocean

For over a decade, the City of New York has disposed of thousands of old subway cars by tossing them into the Atlantic Ocean. The "Artificial Reefs Program," as it is known, is considered by the city as an environmentally friendly method of disposal.

March 8, 2011 - Fast Company

Where Are the Healthiest Housing Markets for 2011?

The 2011 Healthy Market Index, which is compiled from projections made by Moody's Economy.com, is dominated by cities in the South.

March 8, 2011 - Builder Magazine

NYC Residents to Challenge Use of Eminent Domain

NYC Mayor Michael Bloomberg faces challenges in his attempt to redevelop the Willets Point area of the city. Some opponents of the plan are prepared to file a lawsuit against the city.

March 8, 2011 - The New York Times

Paying for U.S. Transportation Investments

A Senator from Oregon wants to revive the expired "Build America Bonds," but limit their use to investments in transportation.

March 8, 2011 - National Journal

Philadelphia Housing Authority Forced To Step Aside For HUD

The U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development will take on the responsibilities of the Philadelphia agency for at least one year, after revelations of profligate spending led to the termination of the former Executive Director.

March 7, 2011 - The Philadelphia Inquirer

Facebook Charrette: New Headquarters Could Reinvigorate a City

As Facebook prepares to relocate its corporate headquarters from Palo Alto to Menlo Park, the company organized a day-long charrette to get input from architects, planners, and community members about how to "turn this neighborhood inside out."

March 7, 2011 - San Jose Mercury News

Make No Little Plans Without Twitter

Chuck Wolfe suggests five "Burnhamisms" for getting communities inspired and engaged with urban planning, including using social media and video to communicate your message.

March 7, 2011 - myurbanist

Transit is a Bargain, Thanks to Skyrocketing Gas Prices

A new report from the American Public Transit Association shows how transit riders are saving a bundle in comparison with car commuters, particularly when you factor in the rising cost of gasoline.

March 7, 2011 - Treehugger

Next Financial Crisis: Municipal Bonds

America's cities and towns have issued nearly $3 trillion in municipal bonds, yet are facing shrinking revenues, budget shortfalls and enormous pension obligations. There are fears that the next financial crisis will be municipal bankruptcies.

March 7, 2011 - New York Times

Debating Skateboarding and Urban Space

Philadelphia may lose its world-famous skateboarding landmark with the renovation of its LOVE Park plaza, flaring a decade-old debate that has made international headlines.

March 6, 2011 - The Philadelphia Daily News

The Rise of Car Sharing

Streetfilms takes a look at the growing trend of car sharing as part of its series on cities moving beyond the automobile.

March 5, 2011 - Streetfilms

Why Can't Government Get You Out of Your Car?

No matter what alternatives it can think of, the Obama Administration remains baffled why most Americans are still attached to their cars, says Fred Barnes.

March 4, 2011 - The Weekly Standard

High-Speed Rail's Hidden Agenda

Writing for Newsweek, George Will claims that the real reason that progressives are gung ho for high-speed rail is because it suppresses the individualism of Americans and makes them more subservient to government.

March 3, 2011 - Newsweek

Transportation Could Take Big Hit from Government Shutdown

If no solution is made by the end of this week, a government shutdown will grind Washington to a halt. As Steetsblog reports, that shutdown could cost the transportation sector $100 million per day.

March 3, 2011 - Streetsblog

L.A. City Council Approves New Bike Plan - Unanimously

The new plan is touted by Alissa Walker of Good Magazine as "perhaps the most ambitious pro-cyclist action in L.A. history."

March 3, 2011 - GOOD Magazine

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.

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.