United States

Nancy Pelosi, Symbol of the West

The myth of the American West as a wild, natural place is long gone, says urban studies professor Carl Abbott. The Western U.S. is actually the most urban part of the nation.

October 24, 2008 - The Hartford Courant

Real Estate Market Won't Hit Bottom 'Til 2009

The Urban Land Institute reports on their new study, which predicts the real estate market will hit bottom in 2009 and 'flounder' through 2010.

October 24, 2008 - ULI's The Ground Floor

U.S. Has Third Greatest Income Inequality

October 23, 2008 - The Concord Monitor

Is it 'Over' for the American Landscape?

In this review of Alex MacLean's new book, "Over: The American Landscape at the Tipping Point," Hervé Kempf of Le Monde describes MacLean's book as a photo essay on a nation at the end of an era.

October 23, 2008 - Truthout

Leave the Sprawl of the Past Behind

A melting economy and struggling suburbs may mean it's time to reconsider how we model our cities and development patterns, according to this column.

October 23, 2008 - Chicago Tribune

Curing Urbanitis – the Metropolitan Disease

The problems of today's inner cities and the problems of the suburbs are inextricably linked, says William E. Finley, author of Curing Urbanitis.

October 23, 2008 - William E. Finley

The Experts' Picks for Prettiest Towns in America

Travel writers, photographers, and an urban designer selected by Forbes have named the 20 prettiest towns in America; their varied definitions of "prettiness" are reflected in their choices.

October 22, 2008 - Forbes Traveler

What a New Presidency May Mean for Cities

Senator Obama seems to be more "responsive" to cities' needs, while Senator McCain's focus is largely on cutting taxes to restore jobs and business.

October 22, 2008 - Philadelphia Daily News

Oil Price Plunge Dampens Green Technology

The new 'oil shock' is one of plummeting oil prices and its effect on alternative technologies and energy. Combined with the credit crisis, the fallout in some green technologies is shown by difficulties in attracting capital and customers.

October 22, 2008 - The Washington Post

Bike Programs Cut Cars on Campuses

Universities are looking to cut down on the number of cars students bring with them to school by offering free bikes and bike sharing programs.

October 22, 2008 - The New York Times

Climate Change Tackled by Cities and States

Before the fiscal crisis, there was the global climate crisis. After the fiscal crisis, we’ll still have the global climate crisis — for the rest of our lives.

October 21, 2008 - Citiwire.net

Home Builders Stepping In To Help Home Buyers

Builders are creating online educational programs to help potential buyers clean up their credit and obtain loans.

October 21, 2008 - The Wall St. Journal

Kotkin's 'New Localism'

Joel Kotkin thinks that the effects of the financial crisis may not be all bad, and may even encourage a new focus on family and community ties.

October 20, 2008 - newgeography

A Way Out of the Housing Mess?

Joseph Nocera reports on a proposal to rescue homeowners that lets people live in their homes, and doesn't require any government money.

October 20, 2008 - AlterNet

Home Prices Expected to Keep Falling

Home prices are falling across the country, but there are signs that they're not done falling yet.

October 20, 2008 - The New York Times

EPA Failing to Control Urban Runoff

The Environmental Protection Agency has not done enough to control pollution from stormwater runoff in urban areas, according to a report from the National Academy of Sciences.

October 20, 2008 - Associated Press

When Financial Bridges Fail

Martin H. Krieger compares the lack of oversight involved in today's financial crisis with the transparency and responsibility involved in making bridges.

October 20, 2008 - Martin H. Krieger

Climate Protection Jeopardized By Financial Crisis & Recession

The worldwide credit crisis will affect the ability of the developed world to tackle climate change. Businesses in Europe and U.S. are asking for delays in meeting emission reductions mandates notwithstanding the drop in oil prices.

October 20, 2008 - Wall Street Journal

Amtrak Reauthorization & Safety Bill Signed

Two weeks after Congress passed HR 2095, Bush signed this bill to double Amtrak funding and mandate safety technology to prevent Metrolink-like crashes. It may be a precursor to greatly expanded transit spending in the next administration.

October 19, 2008 - Binghamton Press & Sun Bulletin

Urban Design for Planners 1: Software Tools

This six-course series explores essential urban design concepts using open source software and equips planners with the tools they need to participate fully in the urban design process.

Planning for Universal Design

Learn the tools for implementing Universal Design in planning regulations.

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.