United States
The Flow of the Creative Class From Ailing Cities
Ryan Avent offers a counterpoint to a recent article critiquing the urban economic theories of Richard Florida, arguing that the movement of people and the "creative class" to cities based on employment is the heart of urban economics.
NYT on Housing: "Things Didn't Have to Get this Bad"
This New York Times editorial argues that the present strategy to fix the housing mess isn't working; real relief in the form of principal reduction is needed.
Drop in U.S. Car Ownership Surprises Analysts
Between high gas prices, the recession and widespread improvements in public transit systems, Americans drove four million fewer cars in 2009.
Sculpting Water
Mark Fuller has designed the new fountains for both CityCenter in Las Vegas and the new fountain for Lincoln Center in New York. Fast Company takes a look at the forces behind the flash.
Residents Upset About New FEMA Flood Maps
Flood maps redrawn by the Federal Emergency Management Agency are causing thousands of Southern California residents to buy mandatory flood insurance, even though they say flooding is rare and barely an issue.
Cul-de-Sacs, R.I.P.?
New regulations in Virginia limiting their use may be the death knell for cul-de-sacs. Planners and developers debate their worth, but new studies show they aren't cost effective for cities, or even as safe as assumed.
Recession A Boon for Land Preservationists
Preservation groups and land trusts are beneficiaries of the economic recession, as prices on land have dropped low enough for many to buy up land for conservation purposes.
Sustainability Arrives in Academia
A growing number of universities are offering programs in urban sustainability studies, including Tufts, New York City College and the University of Colorado.
World Bank Embraces Cities
After an extended history of favoring rural areas over metropolitan ones, The World Bank appears to be changing course.
Volunteerism Bridging Universities and Their Neighbors
Universities bordering impoverished neighborhoods can do more to improve living conditions, according to the founders of LIFT, a group that trains volunteers. The group is featured on this week's episode of Smart City.
Ensuring Sustainability in Federal Buildings
Change Observer interviews Casey Jones, the director of design excellence and the arts for the U.S. General Services Administration about green building and sustainability in urban design.
Urban Planner: A Top Career for 2010
U.S. News and World Report has named urban planning one of its 50 top careers for 2010.
What to Look For in 2010 in Sustainability
New Urbanist Steve Mouzon lists the sustainable building trends to watch out for in the new year, including the growth of live/work spaces and a move towards greater durability.
Improving L.A.'s Streets - With Photoshop
Blogger David Yoon takes photographs of Los Angeles streets and Photoshops them to be narrower, creating a fantasy L.A. that is more walkable and relatable.
Ag Secretary Concerned Over Farms-to-Forests Conversion
Agriculture Secretary Tom Vilsack has ordered the revision of a forecasting model related to congressional climate legislation that makes the conversion of farmland to forests more lucrative than producing food.
Mapping Municipal Discrimination
GIS maps are being used to identify where communities need services -- and whether some communities are victims of municipal discrimination.
Biggest Infrastructure News of the Decade
In the first of two installments, The Infrastructurist counts down the top ten infrastructure stories from the past decade.
Architect Tops List of Hardest-Hit Jobs
Architects and carpenters are among this list of the nine jobs hit hardest by the recession in 2009.
Closed Auto Dealerships Find New Life
Closed car dealerships across the country are finding new life as yoga studios, classrooms, and day care centers.
The Economic Stimulus of Immigration Reform
Some say the nation's illegal immigrants are a missed opportunity that could help hurting regions to recover.
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.
City of Rosemead
Rutgers University, Edward J. Bloustein School of Planning and Public Policy
One Hundred Miles
University of Michigan School for Environment and Sustainability (SEAS)
Hunter College, City University of New York (CUNY)
The Architects Foundation
City of Cambridge
Montrose County
The Pocatello Development Authority
