United States
1/3 Fewer Auto Deaths, Thanks to Rising Gas Prices
Escalating gas prices are depressing, but look on the bright side: a new study shows that they may reduce annual traffic deaths by as much as one-third.
Time to Take Rail Plans National
This article from the San Francisco Chronicle argues it's time for a national rail plan.
The Role of the Government in Home Loans
The Freddie Mac/Fannie Mae crisis is resurrecting the debate over the role the federal government should play in the housing market.
'Shocking' Levels of Disparity Highlighted in U.S. Human Development Report
The American Human Development Project has determined that the U.S. demonstrates huge disparities in life expectancy and other well-being indicators, based on geography, race, sex and class.
Amtrak in the Spotlight
The much-maligned rail system is being reconsidered, as gas prices and environmental awareness send people looking for solutions. But can Amtrak step up to the plate?
Cities Struggling to Meet Surging Transit Use
An informal survey by APTA says that cities across the U.S., cities are experiences surging transit use in all modes. Transit agencies are expanding every way they can, but face budget shortfalls.
Fighting Foreclosure Blight With Demolition
As foreclosures increase throughout the country, more cities are looking to solve the problem of abandoned and dilapidated houses with demolition.
Taking Action for 'More and Better Options'
Congressman Earl Blumenauer (OR-3) is doing more than responding to Gov. Glendening's recent op-ed on Planetizen calling for more and better options -- he's also introducing legislation to do just that.
The Interactive Playground
Architect David Rockwell has some new ideas about what makes a good public playground. With movable, buildable foam blocks, his experimental playground in Brooklyn gets kids actively and creatively involved in their play.
A Scandal At The Nation's Largest Community Organizing Group?
The New York Times reported last week that the country's largest and most successful progressive community organizing group covered up a $1 million embezzlement. Peter Dreier and John Atlas put the controversy in the larger context.
Feds Plan 'Energy Corridors' Through National Parks
The Department of Energy is proposing to construct massive "energy corridors", land designated solely for the purpose of energy conduction like oil, hydrogen and electricity.
The American Lawn, and its Opponents
The New Yorker traces the history of the American lawn from 1841, commenting on their unnatural origins, and finally analyzing the alternatives suggested by anti-lawn movements.
The Best Places to Live in America
CNN Money has released its ranking of the best places to live.
An SUV Owner Reconsiders
Judith Warner reflects back on what made her purchase a Land Rover in the first place ('beating back middle age') and her ideas for what to do with it now that she can't afford to drive it ('in-law apartment').
Cities: The Missing Presidential Campaign Issue
There is a glaring lack of attention in the presidential primaries to urban policy, says Randall Crane.
Amid High Food Prices, USDA Considers Un-Conserving Land
The USDA is considering a plan to put conservation land back into agricultural production -- a move farmers are trumpeting, but environmentalists are opposing.
Fannie, Freddie Falter
With their share prices dropping and prospects for fresh capitalization remote, there are growing concerns that Fannie Mae and Freddie Mac may be heading for failure, and with it grave repercussions for the entire U.S. economy.
Big Business and Small Cities Team Up for Bike Sharing
Residents of small and mid-sized cities in the US and Canada are getting an introduction to bike-sharing thanks to large local companies.
Local Governments 'Heroes' of the Climate Crisis
If buildings are responsible for almost half of the energy consumption and greenhouse gas emissions in the United States, then our energy and building codes are incredibly important tools attaining energy and climate sanity.
Infrastructure: Has America 'Had its Day'?
For the New Statesman's Andrew Stephen, last month's power failure in Washington D.C. exemplified the deterioration of America's infrastructure, which he likens to conditions he found in the dying days of the Soviet Union.
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.
City of Rosemead
Rutgers University, Edward J. Bloustein School of Planning and Public Policy
One Hundred Miles
University of Michigan School for Environment and Sustainability (SEAS)
Hunter College, City University of New York (CUNY)
The Architects Foundation
City of Cambridge
Montrose County
The Pocatello Development Authority
