United States

Car is #1 Necessity, Say Americans

A new study from the Pew Research Center says that even though Americans are driving less, they still see a car as the most necessary item they own. Air conditioning and TV are a good 10% less necessary.

May 11, 2009 - TOLLROADSnews

Capturing the Value of Transit

With stimulus funding creating new transit projects across the country, now may be a great time to use innovative methods for funding development around transit, say Nadine Fogarty and Gloria Ohland of the Center for Transit-Oriented Development. Portland and Denver are just two communities that have seen property values rise around rail.

May 11, 2009 - Nadine Fogarty

FEMA Trailer Foreclosures

FEMA has sent eviction notices to thousands of people in emergency trailers in New Orleans. The temporary shelter was designed to house homeowners while their homes were repaired, but many remain unfinished.

May 10, 2009 - The New York Times

Obama's High Speed Rail Plans

Neal Peirce looks at President Barack Obama's ambitious plans for high speed rail and the significant obstacles that stand in its way.

May 10, 2009 - Citiwire

Cities Call Sustainability a Top Priority

Five out of every six major U.S. cities claims sustainability is one of its top priorities.

May 9, 2009 - Reuters

Dukakis (Hearts) Rail

'Dukakis is a rail man,' says Alex Marshall, after the man speak on his history with Amtrak and promoting and building rail in Boston. The cure to our transit woes, according to Dukakis, is competence.

May 9, 2009 - Citiwire.net

1/3rd of U.S. Freeways in 'Poor or Mediocre' Condition

A report released today by the American Association of State Highway and Transportation Officials (AASHTO) details the deteriorating state of American interstates and highways, and how much it's costing us.

May 9, 2009 - Detroit Free Press

Washington, Stop Promoting Homeownership

Steven Malanga looks back at a century of efforts by Washington to promote homeownership, which he says 'has produced one calamity after another.'

May 8, 2009 - City Journal

High-Speed Rail Means Real Estate Boom

Peter Gertler of HNTB says that the Obama administration's high-speed rail investments will attract new development around stations.

May 8, 2009 - Forbes

Areas Near Grand Canyon Approved for Mining

Despite a congressional ruling last year that prevents them, wight uranium mining operations have been approved near the Grand Canyon.

May 8, 2009 - Scientific American

The Most Bicycle-Friendly Cities

The League of American Bicyclists has released their Spring 2009 list of the most bicycle-friendly cities in the U.S. Davis, CA is one of only three cities given Platinum status, along with Portland, OR and Boulder, CO.

May 8, 2009 - League of American Biycyclists

Barbara Boxer Key Figure in Transportation Act

Boxer is chair of the Senate Environment and Public Works Committee, which is responsible for writing much of the language in the bill. Progressives are concerned that she won't deliver on their agenda of reform.

May 7, 2009 - Streetsblog

Americans Driving Less- Temporary, or Permanent?

Nate Silver, the baseball stats guy turned election predictor, takes a look at the statistics showing that Americans are driving less.

May 6, 2009 - Esquire

Looking Under LaHood

The New York Times asks the question Planetizen readers have been asking for months: Who is this Ray LaHood, and how did he become the choice for Secretary of Transportation?

May 6, 2009 - The New York Times

Recession Fuels 'Neighboring'

Community participation is on the rise, and many sociologists think it's related to the recession.

May 6, 2009 - The Seattle Times

Rethinking Infrastructure

The Urban Land Institute's recent report on infrastructure finds fault with the government's lack of planning and vision in regards to infrastructure. 'It's a stupid way to run a country,' says ULI V.P. Maureen MacAvey.

May 5, 2009 - Architect Magazine

The Greenest City Mayors

Grist lists the top 15 green-leaning mayors in America.

May 5, 2009 - Grist

The Battle Over Growth in Portland

A documentary focusing on Portland's urban growth boundary begins airing this month on public television stations across the country. It includes interviews with proponents on all sides of the smart growth issue.

May 5, 2009 - PR Web

The Smart Grid and the Stimulus Package

The stimulus package is jump-starting smart grid projects, says Jay Birnbaum, Senior Vice President of CURRENT Group.

May 5, 2009 - Focus Washington

Florida Looks At High-Speed Rail Plan

Richard Florida compares the Obama administration's suggest HSR corridors to the mega-regions they will serve and likes what he sees.

May 5, 2009 - The Atlantic

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.