United States

The Story Behind Suburban Poverty

Next American City talks with the Brookings Institution's Elizabeth Kneebone about the growth of poverty in suburban areas.

April 21, 2010 - Next American City

Streetcar Suburbs May Not Actually Support Streetcars

Yonah Freemark suggests that the original streetcar suburbs were actually not dense enough to continue supporting streetcars back in the day.

April 20, 2010 - Next American City

Government Turns to Prize-Sourcing

The Federal government spends almost $137 billion a year on research. A new paper suggests that Federal, state, and local govs would encourage significantly more innovation by holding contests with a cash prize.

April 19, 2010 - Governing Magazine

Carrion Promotes "Generous Zoning Around Transit Hubs"

Director of the White House Office of Urban Policy Adolfo Carrión says that The White House wants to encourage the creation of "neighborhoods that are rich with opportunity."

April 19, 2010 - City Limits

Climate/Energy Gas Tax Nixed

Despite many reports to the contrary, the developing climate legislation by Senators Graham, Lieberman, and Kerry to be unveiled April 26 will not include a fuel fee, reports The Hill. And don't blame the oil industry - they supported the gas tax.

April 19, 2010 - The Hill - On the Money

Rethinking Rural Development

Silos and smokestacks are the way of the past for rural area development, according to economist Mark Drabenstott who offers a new idea for bringing economic activity to rural places.

April 19, 2010 - The Daily Yonder

Miami: The Changing Face of America

The city of Miami is the setting of a forthcoming book by novelist Tom Wolfe, whose works have come to define eras in American culture. Some say his selection of Miami as a setting shows that the melting pot city is the face of a changing America.

April 19, 2010 - Guardian

Shrinking Cities: Urban Renewal Revisited?

The theory that shrinking ailing cities is going to cure them is unproven and wrongheaded, says Roberta Brandes Gratz -- and is fueled by the same forces behind the urban renewal practices of the mid-20th century.

April 19, 2010 - Roberta Brandes Gratz

Rethinking Supermarkets

Supermarkets of the future may become the center of neighborhood life, predicts planner Mark Hinshaw.

April 18, 2010 - Citiwire.net

Denmark Leading the Way on Garbage to Energy Conversion

Clean-tech incinerators are making their way into Danish neighborhoods. Why is the U.S. not implementing this technology? Environmental groups hate them, and land fills have been abundant.

April 17, 2010 - The New York Times

Immigrants Play Key Role In Economic Vitality Of Metro Areas

While a new analysis of census data revealed the importance of immigrants to regions and refuted commonly held beliefs, it revealed a clear preference for high-skilled immigrants which in turn is influencing federal legislation.

April 17, 2010 - The New York Times - U.S.

Seeking Solutions to Stormwater and Sewage Issues

In many cities, stormwater and sewage water are collected in the same sewer. As a result, good rainwater is combined with dirty sewage water. Overflows can create major problems for cities. But avoiding those problems is not exactly easy.

April 17, 2010 - Urban Omnibus

The Perfect Neighborhood

What makes a model neighborhood? GOOD Magazine devotes an issue to the topic, beginning with a list of traits that make a neighborhood great.

April 16, 2010 - GOOD Magazine

How to Solve America's Water Crisis

Robert Glennon, author of the new book "Unquenchable" outlines the nature of America's emerging water crisis, and how ending water subsidies could encourage efficiencies and conservation.

April 16, 2010 - AlterNet

BRT Hits the Las Vegas Strip

Last Thursday, Las Vegas broke ground on the ACE Green Line, a new BRT corridor that will connect downtown Las Vegas and Henderson.

April 16, 2010 - TheCityFix.com

Parity for Bicycles Criticized

Transportation Secretary Ray LaHood's announcement that federal transportation policy will give parity to bicycling and walking is being criticized by some conservatives and industries dependent on trucking.

April 16, 2010 - Huffington Post

Commuting, Happiness, and the Size of Your House

New studies show that long commutes are significantly detrimental to people's happiness. So why choose the bigger house outside of town over the smaller house? Jonah Lehrer talks about the "weighting mistake" theory.

April 14, 2010 - ScienceBlogs

Despite Growing Population, Number of Households Falls

The United States population is on the rise, but the number of households within the U.S. is falling. Many link the drop to the downturn in the economy.

April 13, 2010 - RIS Media

Growing Transit in Growing Cities

As urban growth continues, the role of public transit systems will escalate. Though some cities already have the infrastructure in place to adapt to this expected growth, many cities are starting to worry about what they'll do when the people come.

April 13, 2010 - Wired

Binghamton's "War Counter" to Highlight City's Budget Woes

Jo Comerford of the National Priorities Project reports on how one New York state mayor is addressing the interconnections between municipal budget shortfalls and federal spending on warfare.

April 13, 2010 - TomDispatch

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.