United States

Economic Fallout of Gulf Disaster Could Top $200 Billion

While the scale and extent of the oil blowout in the Gulf of Mexico are still unknown, the potential damage could mean a severe blow to the Gulf's $234 billion economy.

May 30, 2010 - CNN Money

Foreclosure Crisis - Not What It Seems?

Millions of American homeowners are underwater facing the loss of their home, causing devastating effects on the national and local economy. But when a homeowner decides to walk away from his or her home, is that a sign of crisis or a shrewd move?

May 29, 2010 - McClatchy Newspapers via Fresno Bee

Tiger II Grants Announced

The U.S. Department of Transportation today announced the availability of $600 million in new funding for surface transportation projects.

May 29, 2010 - US Department of Transportation

Leafs All Gone

Nissan Leafs, that is, and only for the year, though not one of these 19,000 preorders for the all-electric, plug-in car has yet to be shipped. The Leafs shouldn't venture too far from home - the range is 100 miles on a full charge.

May 29, 2010 - The New York Times - Business Day

Drilling "Not Worth The Risk"

Writing in the Guardian, Vermont Senator Bernie Sanders argues against offshore drilling and in favor of dramatic increases in energy efficiencies and investments in renewables.

May 28, 2010 - Guardian (UK)

Radical Ideas for Creating More Streamlined Government

State governments in the U.S. are radically rethinking how they work. With tight budgets and little sign of improvement anytime soon, big ideas are bubbling. But few have been put in motion.

May 28, 2010 - The New York Times

Feds Should Shore Up Coasts to Fight Climate Change

Former Interior secretary Bruce Babbitt believes that the federal government needs to create a new agency to do the planning necessary to prepare the coastline for rising waters due to climate change.

May 27, 2010 - Lincoln Institute of Land Policy blog

Americans Driving at 2005 Levels

Americans are driving fewer miles than they were a year ago, despite an improving economy. Some say the American demand for oil will be low throughout the rest of this year.

May 27, 2010 - USA Today

Sesame Street = Bad Urbanism?

People always think that because he advocates for better public spaces and density that Bill Lindeke wants something like the closely-knit community of Sesame Street. Step back, says Lindeke.

May 26, 2010 - twin city sidewalks

Small Wind Turbines Making Big Inroads

A new report from the American Wind Energy Association (AWEA) says that the number of small wind turbines in the U.S. has grown considerably over the last year, adding 20 megawatts of production.

May 26, 2010 - CNET

New Urbanism, Cheap Money, and the Road Ahead

James Howard Kunstler uses his time at the Congress for the New Urbanism to reflect on the road the New Urbanists have taken, the opposition they've faced, and the bubble financing that made it all possible.

May 25, 2010 - Kunstler.com

Best Connected Cities

Metrics provider Ookla rates the cities in the U.S. and around the world on the speed of their internet connection. No.1, no surprise, is San Jose, CA. No. 2?

May 25, 2010 - Gigaom

Least Favorite Transit Commuters

A Bay Area Rapid Transit (BART) rider calls out her least favorite fellow commuters, from inconsiderate people in the handicapped spots to the person munching their fries while everyone is headed home and hungry.

May 25, 2010 - Contra Costa Times

Do You Have $600 Billion For A New Transportation Bill?

DOT Secretary Ray LaHood is taped while speaking at a community meeting in Manhattan's Chinatown expressing enthusiasm for 'tolling', though it's not clear what roads or bridges would be tolled, which was clarified in a subsequent email.

May 25, 2010 - Transportation Nation

Are San Francisco Planners Going Too Far?

Architects in San Francisco say that the Planning Department has gotten increasingly involved in design decisions over the past two years, favoring traditional projects over contemporary designs.

May 24, 2010 - Curbed SF

Paint Shortage Slows Road Projects

Though funding is usually the limiting factor in road projects, the current shortage of a chemical is creating a sharp undersupply of the paint used to paint road lines.

May 24, 2010 - The New York Times

Urban and rural, both just as dangerous for children

Urban children are no more likely to die from gunfire than rural youth

May 23, 2010 - The New York Times

Report: Senate Climate Legislation Good For Economy

In the first major study of how the Senate climate legislation would affect the economy, a non-partisan think tank indicated it would create new jobs and reduce American reliance on oil and coal while increasing usage of both nuclear and renewables.

May 23, 2010 - Greenwire via The New York Times - Energy & Environment

The 11 Most Endangered Places

The National Trust for Historic Preservation presents its annual list of the most endangered places in the U.S. This year, natural landscapes take some of the spotlight away from architecture and the built environment.

May 21, 2010 - National Trust For Historic Preservation

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.