United States

Sustainable: Buzz Killing the Buzz Word

In his commentary, Rob Steuteville questions whether we should work toward sustaining what we have, or building a more resilient future.

April 12, 2010 - New Urban News

Cities, States Slashing Public Library Funding

States and cities across the U.S. are cutting public library funding at a time when people are relying on them more than ever, writes Art Brodsky.

April 12, 2010 - Huffington Post

Suburbs Exist Because People Want Them

Developers, planners, and city officials haven't been insisting on regulations protecting low-density residential all these years -- the people who live there have, says Kevin Drum at Mother Jones.

April 12, 2010 - Mother Jones

Killing the Authenticity You Love

The search for authenticity lead Generation Xers to move into gritty, urban environments that their overwhelming numbers managed to kill, says Adam Mayer in a review of Sharon Zukin's book Naked City.

April 12, 2010 - New Geography

The End of the Automobile Era?

Could this be the end? Two recent events signal a dramatic shift in American attitudes towards transportation and the proper role of transportation in making American cities, says Norman Garrick.

April 12, 2010 - Norman Garrick

Town Planning, Brought To You By Chocolate

For some reason, chocolate barons had a thing for building model company towns for their workers. Nicola Twilley looks at Bournville, Hershey and New Earswick, all built on chocolate and possible models for today's 'eat local' movement.

April 10, 2010 - Edible Geography

EPA Report: Cities Growing, Suburbs Slowing

Urban redevelopment has experienced significant growth over the past five years, while residential permits are on the wane.

April 10, 2010 - Builder Magazine

The City's Physical Influence on Skateboarding and Park Design

This piece from Urban Omnibus looks at how underutilized parts of the built environment are embraced by the skateboard community, and how those urban aspects are often co-opted into skatepark design.

April 10, 2010 - Urban Omnibus

America's Best New Urban Parks

The Infrastructurist lists the top new urban parks that have been built in the U.S. in recent years.

April 9, 2010 - The Infrastructurist

Frank Lloyd Wright, Enemy of the City

Katherine Don looks back at Broadacre City, Wright's attempt to replace the modern industrial city once and for all.

April 9, 2010 - Next American City

22 U.S. Cities Planning New Streetcars

Changes in USDOT and FTA policies help fund streetcar lines, making them more attractive to cities across the US.

April 9, 2010 - New Urban News

In U.S., More Cars Thrown Away Than Sold

13.6 million car registrations were filed in the last 15 months, and 14.8 million were disposed of in that same period.

April 9, 2010 - BNET

Kotkin and Clubs

In a widely-read review of Joel Kotkin's book, a statistic claiming that suburban dwellers join significantly more social clubs than urban residents is called into question by Robert Steuteville.

April 9, 2010 - New Urban News

The Personality Types Filling Out the Census

As residents across the county fill out and return the Census, Richard Florida and colleagues try to nail down what type of people are most likely to participate.

April 9, 2010 - The Atlantic

The Growing Impact of Brookings' Bruce Katz

This cover piece from Next American City profiles Bruce Katz, founding director of the Metropolitan Policy Program at the Brookings Institution, who the magazine calls the "oracle of urban policy".

April 9, 2010 - Next American City

The Demise of the Gay Neighborhood

In cities across the country, gays formed communities in neglected neighborhoods to create safe havens and strengthen political identity. Today, the identity of these 'gayborhoods' is fading as other demographics move in.

April 8, 2010 - Obit Magazine

DOT Rethinks Selection Process for Funding

When Charlotte's new light rail line opened, it vastly exceeded anticipated ridership figures. As the city plans an extension of the system, the federal government is revising how it distributes funding to avoid making the same mistake again.

April 8, 2010 - The New York Times

Climate Measure Would Raise Gas Tax But Not Fund Transportation

A new senate climate measure is proposing to raise the gas tax, a move many in the transportation field have been suggesting for years. But the measure is meeting criticism for not directing the increased revenue towards transportation projects.

April 8, 2010 - Streetsblog Capitol Hill

State Seeks 1.5 Million Missing People in 2010 Census

How many people live in California? The current count could be off by 1.5 million people, and a lot is riding on the results of the 2010 Census. Josh Stephens talks to planners and state leaders about the flaws in the Census and how they'll shape state policy.

April 8, 2010 - Josh Stephens

Interstate Toll Denial Underscores Systemic Problems

The federal government recently rejected a proposal by the state of Pennsylvania to toll Interstate 80. Robert Puentes argues that the decision is exactly what's holding metropolitan areas back from solving their transportation problems.

April 8, 2010 - The New Republic

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.