United States

Military Town Real Estate Remains Unfazed by Housing Bust

Military towns are seeing home sales go up despite decreasing home values elsewhere across the country, thanks in part to a steady wartime economy.

November 12, 2008 - Chicago Tribune

Treading Lightly into a New 'New Deal'

Many are arguing for a new "New Deal" under President-Elect Obama. Economist Paul Krugman says there are many lessons -- good and bad -- Obama should learn from the first "New Deal" before taking the plunge.

November 12, 2008 - The New York Times

Green Building Industry Staying Afloat

While many construction and development projects are finding trouble getting funded, sustainable design firms are hanging in there.

November 12, 2008 - The Architect's Newspaper

Freight Rail Flourishes Due To Innovations

In a time of plummeting oil prices, one might think rail would lose business to trucks, but the freight business is more detailed. In this interview with Burlington Northern Santa Fe CEO Mathew Rose, one gains an insight into freight rail's future.

November 11, 2008 - Business Week

Obama to Overturn Bush on Climate Change?

President-elect Barack Obama is set to overturn as many as 200 Bush-era decisions, including those aimed at addressing greenhouse gas emissions and recognizing climate change.

November 11, 2008 - Washington Post

The Year Without A Santa Claus

Cities facing budget cuts are cutting back on Christmas decorations and events. Has the Grinch stolen Christmas?

November 11, 2008 - The Wall St. Journal

Perils Of Green Energy

As renewables replace polluting, carbon-intensive power sources, the reliability of the nation's electricity will be impaired because of the inability of the grid to accommodate power produced from distant sources, according to a new report.

November 11, 2008 - The New York Times

New U.S. Streetcars A Boon to European Makers

A surge in streetcar system construction in the United States is benefitting a number of tram builders like Siemens of Germany and Skoda of the Czech Republic.

November 11, 2008 - International Herald Tribune

Cycle-Friendly Cities

Urban Velo Magazine updates readers on new methods for making cities cycle-friendly, and provides a brief history of cycles in cities.

November 11, 2008 - Urban Velo Magazine

In Poor Housing Market, Workers Won't Relocate

Afraid of losing their investment in a down market, homeowners aren't moving out of their neighborhoods - even if their jobs do.

November 10, 2008 - The Christian Science Monitor

HUD Seeks Dollar House Buyers

Desperate to sell dilapidated, foreclosed homes, as well as to lure in local governments willing to build affordable housing, the Department of Housing and Urban Development is offering those properties for just a dollar.

November 7, 2008 - The Atlanta Journal-Constitution

The 'Creative Class' Takes Over

Joel Kotkin believes that the Obama victory is a sign that the 'creative class' - as detailed by Richard Florida - is coming into power, and that traditional business will be pushed aside.

November 7, 2008 - New Geography

'Gold Rush' for Geothermal

Warren Buffett, Google and others are investing heavily in geothermal energy development, spurred on by state incentives for renewables and higher gas prices.

November 7, 2008 - The Los Angeles Times

President-Elect Obama's Top Eco-Priorities

David Morris of the Institute for Local Self-Reliance and Maude Barlow, Chair of the Board of Food and Water Watch lay out key priorities for an Obama Administration in terms of transportation and water policy.

November 7, 2008 - AlterNet

Planning: The Solution America Needs

As part of a series in Harper's on how to save capitalism, James K. Galbraith argues that America can fix many of its economic troubles with better planning -- urban planning, infrastructure planning, and financial planning.

November 6, 2008 - Harper's

Americans Less Green Outdoors

The American Society of Landscape Architects has released a study revealing that while most adults practice energy-efficient strategies at home, they are considerably less green in their yards and lawns.

November 6, 2008 - Land Online

Too-Close Wind Turbine Noise May Be Unhealthful

Some residents living too close to wind turbines are feeling the negative effects of the noise they produce: nausea, headaches, and vertigo, to name a few.

November 6, 2008 - USA Today

The New Age of Trains

Passenger rail is on the minds of voters and politicians more than ever. Some say the next train era is on its way.

November 5, 2008 - San Francisco Chronicle

Bike Racks as Public Art Gaining Popularity

Quirky, artistic bike racks are cropping up in cities around the country--a trend that benefits more than just cyclists.

November 5, 2008 - USA Today

News Summary: Urban Policy and the Obama Presidency

The balloons have fallen, and the yard signs have been yanked up. The people have chosen, and in a historic win, Senator Barack Obama will soon be our next president. Now the hopes and promises of the campaign must harden into reality. Managing Editor Tim Halbur summarize what we can expect from an Obama presidency in regards to urban issues.

November 5, 2008 - Tim Halbur

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.