United States
Is Obama's Urban Policy Office DOA?
During the campaign, Obama promised U.S. mayors that he'd create an Office of Urban Policy. But indications so far are that the office is facing a significant downgrade, writes Dayo Olopade.
Contemplating a Neighborhood Design Standard
The effects of the U.S. Green Building Council's new LEED-ND certification for neighborhoods leaves plenty of questions to be answered regarding its effects (intended or not) on land use, sprawl, and property values.
Making Do with Shrunken Cities
Population shrinkage in cities like Flint, Michigan can be the perfect opportunity to employ 'smart decline' to make such cities denser and more livable.
100,000 Playgrounds
Advocacy group KaBOOM have launched a campaign to map play places across the U.S. called 100,000 Playspaces in 100 Days. The goal is to create a useful tool for planners for evaluating networks of parks and recreation.
Creating a 'Smart' Grid Will Be a Challenge
Creating a "smart" grid to better handle the nation's electricity sounds like a great idea, but the job's going to be a tough -- and expensive.
Americans Moving Less Amid Recession
Fewer Americans moved over the past year than any other year since 1962, according to the U.S. Census Bureau.
Ports and the Public-Private Partnership
Without their own dedicated federal funding, U.S. ports are often left to provide for themselves. More and more of them are turning to public-private partnerships.
U.S. Infrastructure Needs More Than Stimulus Bump
The recession has been a boon for stimulus-funded infrastructure projects. But despite the work, it's not the full revamp the nation's infrastructure system needs, according to Jonathan D. Miller in this piece from Citiwire.
Smart Grids to Get More Funding
The Energy Department has announced that it will be increasing grant limits to implement smart grid technology. The current $20 million per grant, officials say, just isn't enough to get the technology used at a commercial scale.
Americans Staying Put
New census data released Weds. shows that fewer Americans moved this year than in any year since they started keeping track back in 1947.
The Nitty-Gritty on Obama's HSR Plan
The ARRA has committed $8 billion to high speed rail. President Obama promised an addition $1 billion per year in future budgets. But how will the money be allocated? How will projects be selected? Details can be found in a new plan from the FRA.
Affordable Mortgage Plan a Flop, Says Frank
The Hope for Homeowners Act was designed to allow foreclosed homeowners to keep their homes by drawing up new and more affordable mortgages for qualified applicants. Barney Frank is one of many proclaiming it a failure.
The Bridges are Alright
America's infrastructure isn't as fragile as current media coverage has made it out to be, according to Jack Shafer.
Conservative or Liberal, Transit Matters
After years of being unfairly associated with conservatism, auto-dependence should be an issue of concern for all Americans--largely because of what it means to the fabric of their communities.
Aging Water Pipes In Need Of Repair And Renewal
Old wooden pipes and failing water mains highlight the infrastructural water challenges facing many communities.
British Columbia a Model for Public-Private Partnerships
U.S. states and officials are looking North to Canada where public-private partnerships have successfully funded infrastructure projects for years in British Columbia.
Transportation and Housing Linking Up at Federal Level
The silos are breaking down in the federal government as the Department of Housing and Urban Development and the Department of Transportation are embarking on a shared plan to increase interdepartmental collaboration.
The New Survivalist Utopians
Locals in Sandpoint, Idaho are banding together to join the Transition movement, which started in the U.K. and is geared towards creating new, ecologically-planned communities to survive peak oil and climate change.
Small Airports Becoming No-Fly Zones
Until recently, small regional airports were seen as the wave of the future. But the ailing economy and a variety of other factors are hitting the industry hard, causing closures across the country.
Peak Oil Supply Or Peak Oil Consumption?
'Peak oil' refers to a belief that growing oil demand will outstrip finite oil supplies. Peak U.S. oil consumption is premised on the belief that 2007 marked the peak, population increase notwithstanding, due to efficiency, biofuels and batteries.
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.
Eagle County Government
Harvard University Graduate School of Design
Nashville Planning Department
The Architects Foundation
University of Cincinnati Online
The Pocatello Development Authority
The Urban Renewal Agency of the City of Pocatello
Journal of the American Planning Association
