United States

Exurbs Will Rise - Again

Grist writer Lisa Selin Davis argues that now is the time to make public transit a priority in serving outer suburbs, because the rebounding economy will inevitably lead to increased demand.

March 10, 2010 - Grist

Can Cities "Remix" America?

Carl Anthony suggests that emerging land use policies (such as high speed rail) could threaten to exacerbate trends towards racial segregation, unless there is broader participation from people of color in planning processes.

March 10, 2010 - Yes! Magazine

Infrastructure Spending, Policy Benefit Suburbs and not Cities

Harvard economics professor Edward L. Glaeser argues that the United States has a long, pervasive pattern of anti-urban behavior that needs to change.

March 9, 2010 - The Boston Globe

OP-ED: Make "High-Speed" Rail Speedier

Train writer Christian Wolmar argues that the best application for high speed rail funds would be to upgrade the Washington D.C. to Boston, 150 mph Acela line to true, high speed rail status and used as a showcase for American rail technology.

March 9, 2010 - The New York Times - Opinion

Town Futures in Photoshop

A picture's worth a thousand plans - at least when it's a "photo-realistic visualization." Designer Steve Price's detailed 3D flash animations show towns what empty streetscapes and drab buildings could look like with a little bit of planning.

March 8, 2010 - Grist.org

Harvard Report: Gas Taxes Not Vehicle Credits Necessary To Reduce Emissions

$7 gas is necessary according to a new report if transportation emissions are to be reduced to EPA targets by 2020. What's more, providing tax credits for electric and hybrid vehicles would backfire. The report recommends steep gas tax increases.

March 8, 2010 - The New York Times - Science

Turning Cities into Innovation Centers

Saul Kaplan says cities should be transformed into innovation centers to stay competitive and become the venue of a "new economic conversation".

March 8, 2010 - Business Week

Engaging Communities, Improving Neighborhoods

Dr. Marc Schlossberg of the University of Oregon developed a series of tools for mobile GIS devices, and set community members loose to use the technology to collect data about their streets and improve their neighborhood livability.

March 8, 2010 - Dr. Marc Schlossberg

Feds to Perform Ecological Studies on BLM Land

Tasked with managing millions of acres of public lands, the federal Bureau of Land Management has announced plans to perform detailed ecological studies of some of its most notable properties.

March 7, 2010 - San Jose Mercury News

Location Still Matters

When all business happens over the internet, does where your business still matter? Yes, says Business Insider, for all the same reasons as before.

March 6, 2010 - Business Insider

Seducing Riders Onto Transit

At a recent transportation conference, Dr. Leo Kroon of the Netherlands Railway says their strategy is not to force people to use the train but to 'seduce' them with the latest innovations.

March 4, 2010 - IBM's Smarter Cities blog

Federal Government Redefines Poverty

The federal government is rewriting the way it defines poverty. As a result, city poverty levels are expected to see major shifts.

March 4, 2010 - NPR

The Complexity of Carbon Reduction in Planning

Warren Karlenzig delves into the unique challenges of reducing carbon in cities, where efforts may be misplaced. Should your city focus on green building, traffic emissions or water treatment?

March 4, 2010 - Common Current

The Most Obese Cities

Gallup looks at the body mass index of American cities to see which metro areas are the most overweight. Flint, Michigan and Stockton, California come out on top.

March 3, 2010 - Gallup

T.V. on a Stick

That's what citizen groups are calling digital billboards, saying they area a safety hazard for distracting drivers. States around the country are grappling with how to regulate the glowing signs.

March 3, 2010 - The New York Times

No Dough for Smart Growth

The desire to create walkable neighborhoods is alive in cities around the U.S., but the recession has made it difficult or impossible to follow through.

March 2, 2010 - Washington Examiner

88% of Americans Support High-Speed Rail

A new survey conducted by HNTB Corporation says that nearly nine in ten Americans are currently open to high-speed rail travel for long-distance travel within the United States.

February 27, 2010 - HNTB Newsroom

America's Path to 400 Million

The New York Times reviews a new book by Joel Kotkin about the role of immigration and minority populations in America.

February 27, 2010 - The New York Times

American Cities Awaken From 35-Year Parking Policy Coma

Planning policies that produce cheap, abundant parking are fundamentally at odds with efforts to promote transit, biking, and walking. A new report from ITDP shows how some cities have started to align parking policies with sustainable transport.

February 26, 2010 - Streetsblog

Driving on the Rise in America

After more than two years of declines in American driving patterns, the amount of driving seems to be on the rise.

February 26, 2010 - USA Today

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.