United States

America's Global Warming-Fighting Attorney General

California Attorney General (and former governor) Jerry Brown may be to global warming what former NY Attorney General (now Governor) Elliot Spitzer was to corporate reform, as his widely watched lawsuits, and threats of lawsuits, have gained fame.

December 29, 2007 - ASSOCIATED PRESS via San Diego Union-Tribune

House of Cards

A primer on how the economics of housing have been the foundation of not just urban planning but the whole American economy since the 1930s, and why the current housing crisis could have such a far-reaching impact.

December 29, 2007 - AlterNet

Friday Funny: Most Lustful US Cities?

Forbes has published its ranking of the America's 10 Most Lustful Cities. If you're looking for love, start in San Antonio or Cincinnati.

December 28, 2007 - Forbes

Designing The Female-Friendly City

As women become a larger segment of the nation's urban population, more planners are recognizing the importance of addressing the concerns of women through urban design.

December 28, 2007 - USA Today

Is LEED Way Behind?

Flaws in LEED's rating system make it much too easy to get certified, which begs the question: Does LEED really succeed in making our buildings any greener?

December 28, 2007 - Slate

How Temporary Uses Can Revitalize Neighborhoods

Temporary, interim, or intermittent uses are part of a growing trend, evident both in Europe and the U.S., that creatively responds to new planning needs.

December 28, 2007 - Planning Magazine

Pentagon Looks Toward Space For Solar Power On Earth

The Pentagon and an international consortium are investigating the feasibility of 'beaming back' solar energy from a network of space-based satellites and Pacific island-based antennae that could begin operating as early as 2012.

December 27, 2007 - AP via San Francisco Chronicle

The Property Tax and the Fortunes of Older Industrial Cities

Discontent with one particular type of public levy, the local property tax, is gaining momentum across the country. Disgruntled homeowners are demanding that governors and mayors find alternative methods to raise revenue.

December 27, 2007 - Lincoln Institute of Land Policy

Guns or Bridges?

U.S. Rep. Carolyn B. Maloney (D) argues that the war in Iraq is diverting billions of dollars that are badly needed to shore up America's crumbling infrastructure.

December 26, 2007 - Albany Times-Union

Shopping Malls Are Dead -- Long Live Lifestyle Centers

The Economist offers a fascinating review of the evolution of the suburban shopping mall into the hot new "lifestyle center." The conclusion: "It was necessary to kill the American city centre before bringing it back to life."

December 26, 2007 - The Economist

A New Approach To Economic Development Help For Entrepreneurs

Nearly every community talks about attracting more entrepreneurs. But aside from programs like SCORE, which assists entrepreneurs with business plans, and some efforts at growing venture-capital funds, most communities scratch their heads over how to

December 26, 2007 - The Atlanta Journal-Constitution

Saving Lives With Urban Planning

With auto accidents the leading cause of death for teenagers, there's yet another reason to build communities that don't make us dependent on our cars.

December 25, 2007 - Fort Worth Star Telegram

Treating Wastewater Closer To Home

Treating wastewater at the neighborhood level can save money on public infrastructure while providing environmental benefits.

December 24, 2007 - Ecoworld

New Urbanism Examined By Time Magazine, Andrés Duany

Time's environmental reporter examines the American neighborhood with help from New Urbanist founder Andres Duany, who comments on suburbia and its carbon footprint, the role of the car, home size, public space, and ratings of green building.

December 24, 2007 - Time Magazine

'Fuel Poverty' in America?

A new poll shows that millions of Americans will need to borrow money to pay their heating bills this winter, many of them with credit cards.

December 24, 2007 - Yahoo! News

U.S. Mayor Calls Bush Years 'Disastrous' for America's Cities

Salt Lake City Mayor Rocky Anderson condemns the Bush Administration's disregard for America's cities in this video.

December 23, 2007 - AlterNet

Friday Funny: Crumbling Infrastructure Likely Means 'Something'

This article from The Onion looks back at the infrastructure problems that defined 2007, asking what they signify for the country.

December 21, 2007 - The Onion

'Mr. Open Space' Should Have Been Called 'Mr. Rational'

The late Larry Livingston became known in planning circles and elsewhere as "Mr. Open Space." But, Bill Fulton writes, the tag was based on a misunderstanding of a fiscal analysis he prepared regarding housing development in a particular city.

December 21, 2007 - California Planning & Development Report

Town On The Farm

The massive farm bill making its way through Congress will only perpetuate social and environmental sustainability. What's also needed is legislation to boost the urban economics of local food production, writes Christopher Cook.

December 21, 2007 - Common Dreams

U.S.-Mexico Water Treaty Challenged By Mexican Farmers

A 1944 international treaty that requires the transfer of millions of gallons of water from Mexico to the U.S. from the Rio Grande is being challenged by Mexican farmers who are routinely deprived of water every five years when the transfer occurs.

December 21, 2007 - Planet Ark

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.

Associate/Senior Planner

Gallatin County Department of Planning & Community Development

Senior Planner

Heyer Gruel & Associates PA

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.