United States

New HUD Restrictions Limit Condo Construction

HUD has established new rules limiting the percentage of units in a building that can get FHA loans. Developers cry foul, calling it a bias against affordable housing and density.

August 25, 2009 - San Diego Business Journal

Urban Farming Made Profitable

An online publisher set out to show that urban farming could be profitable. In her fourth year, she brought in $68k from her half-acre plot in Philadelphia.

August 25, 2009 - Governing Magazine

The Race Is On For Rail Funding

The Fed's passenger rail stimulus program kicked opened its doors on Monday, and states were ready with a slew of funding requests. California submitted 42 applications, totaling $1.1 billion.

August 25, 2009 - The Wall St. Journal

Is Short Sea Shipping A Traffic Solution?

Short sea shipping involves moving freight on the sea around the coast without crossing an ocean. The City of Miami is looking at extending the process to relieve traffic pressure, getting some big rigs off the freeway.

August 25, 2009 - Miami Today

Railroads of Yore Built During Times of Turmoil, Too

In considering the daunting task of building high-speed rail in the midst of an economic crisis, CBS Sunday Morning looks back and finds that the Transcontinental Railroad was built during similarly tough times.

August 24, 2009 - CBS Sunday Morning

Regions Cooperating to Make Use of Stimulus Funds

Neal Peirce looks at a few examples where regions have pooled their powers to utilize ARRA stimulus funds to create programs and jumpstart regional efforts.

August 24, 2009 - Citiwire

Military Mapping the Threats and Advantages of Urban Areas

The U.S. Military's Defense Advanced Research Projects Agency is investing in a program that looks to create 3D imagery of urban areas and the common spaces and objects that could pose threats or provide advantages to military operations.

August 24, 2009 - CNET

10 Best Cities to be a Kid

U.S. News and World Report looks at crime rates, schools, number of children and green spaces to compile this list of the 10 Best Places to Grow Up.

August 23, 2009 - U.S. News And World Report

American Dream 2.0

From the increase of city living to the decrease in vehicle miles traveled, a "new American Dream" is developing, according to Carol Coletta. But without cohesion, the benefits of these developments aren't likely to make a big impact.

August 22, 2009 - Good

Can Local Stores Have An Impact on Global Warming?

A revival of small, neighborhood retailers could be an important strategy for countering climate change, enticing people to run errands without driving their cars.

August 22, 2009 - Grist Magazine

Clunkers Program To End August 24

It didn't last long: one month to be precise. The American public ate through the $3 billion stimulus program for purchasing new, efficient cars and trucks as fast as they could qualify their older gas guzzlers for the $3,500 and $4,500 credits.

August 22, 2009 - AP via ABC News

Friday Funny: DOT Advises Drivers to Solve Traffic By Honking

The Department of Transportation has released a new report urging drivers to combat traffic congestion by honking -- a method estimated to relieve 90% of traffic.

August 21, 2009 - The Onion

Recession Hurting Transit Agencies Across U.S.

Big metropolitan transit agencies are struggling through the recession, with many considering cutting services and raising fares, according to astudy by Transportation For America and Transportation Equity Network.

August 20, 2009 - Reuters

America's Killer Roads

This oped takes on American street design and blames it for causing countless road injuries and deaths.

August 20, 2009 - The Boston Globe

Clunkers Program Works Better For Purchasing SUVs & Trucks

While much attention has been lavished on fuel sippers like the Ford Focus, Toyota Corolla, and Honda Insight as the most popular models purchased with CARS.Gov credits, it turns out there is another list showing SUVs and trucks in the top ten.

August 19, 2009 - Sacramento Bee

Want To Encourage Bicycle Commuting? Build Parking

A lack of decent parking is the biggest reason more people don't bike to work. Several American cities are now trying to deal with the issue by adding more parking for bicyclists.

August 19, 2009 - Slate Magazine

Better Walkability, Higher Value

A recent study finds a correlation between a neighborhood's walkability and its home values.

August 18, 2009 - Inman News

Feds to Invest $4.25 Billion in Rental Housing

The Obama Administration has announced a plan to invest $4.25 billion of stimulus money to build low-income rental housing.

August 18, 2009 - The Boston Globe

Renting the American Dream

Home ownership remains a major part of the American dream. But more and more people are beginning to question the wisdom of investing in a home and are leaning towards renting.

August 18, 2009 - The Wall Street Journal

The Problem With Coal

In his new book, Big Coal: The Dirty Secret Behind America’s Energy Future, author Jeff Goodell uncovers the damage the coal industry has done to America's landscape.

August 17, 2009 - Great Lakes Bulletin News Service

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.