United States

Traffic Signs Driving Us to Distraction

Traffic signs on American roadways are so numerous and so distracting to drivers that they are having the opposite effect intended, writes John Staddon.

June 23, 2008 - Atlantic Monthly

U.S. House Debates Smart Growth

The House Select Committee for Energy Independence and Global Warming met Thursday to discuss smart growth and its ability to reduce energy use and emissions.

June 22, 2008 - Grist

Friday Funny: Buy An SUV, Get the Illusion of Low Gas Prices

Chrysler's "Let's Refuel America" campaign promises to subsidize your gas as if you were paying $2.99 a gallon if you buy one of their large vehicles. Cartoonist Ruben Bolling spoofs the thinking behind the program in this cartoon.

June 20, 2008 - Salon.com

'Alarming' Increases In Shopping Center Vacancies

Empty retail space increased dramatically over the last six months, according to data compiled by commercial real estate brokers and investment advisors.

June 20, 2008 - Home Town Advantage Bulletin

An Italian View of U.S. Planning

An Italian city planner visits San Diego to analyze sprawl-fighting techniques first-hand.

June 20, 2008 - The San Diego Union-Tribune

It's Dump the Pump Day

Today is "Dump the Pump" Day, an annual event created by the American Public Transportation Association to bring awareness to the benefits of public transit. Transit agencies across the country are offering free rides, including many in Florida.

June 19, 2008 - Tim Halbur

The Incredible Shrinking Home

A new AIA report shows that new homes under construction are getting smaller in response to market forces.

June 19, 2008 - AIArchitect

How Development Makes Flooding Worse

This article from The Christian Science Monitor looks at how development, farm practices, and population growth have increased the risk of flooding.

June 19, 2008 - The Christian Science Monitor

Using Web Mapping For the Public Good

The use of geographic information systems for the public good is a rapidly growing field. The technology shows great promise for discovering unequal distribution of resources and environmental racism, writes Peter Manzo.

June 18, 2008 - Stanford Social Innovation Review

Riding Amtrak Across the U.S.

GOOD Magazine sends a reporter across country on Amtrak to give a riders-eye view of the system.

June 18, 2008 - GOOD Magazine

Emptying Suburbs Sign of Things to Come

CNN reports on the growing chaos in suburbs emptied by the mortgage crisis, and what they tell us about the future of the American dream.

June 17, 2008 - CNN

Transit Struggling To Keep Up

Transit use is surging, but operators are facing the same fuel crunch as consumers and public monies for new investments aren't up to addressing the new demand.

June 17, 2008 - The Christian Science Monitor

New Urbanism at 15

New Urbanism as a movement is fifteen years old this year; a state by state analysis by New Urban News shows steady growth (in some places more than others) and produced some surprises as well.

June 17, 2008 - New Urban News

Housing Relief Languishes in Washington

As the U.S. Congress and Senate wrangle with each other over how to address the housing crisis, housing advocates worry that federal assistance- if and when it comes- will be inadequate.

June 17, 2008 - Washington Independent

The Reversal Of The American Dream

As walkable urban communities become the neighborhoods of choice, are suburban subdivisions destined to become twenty-first century slums?

June 16, 2008 - CNN

Bicycling in U.S. is Risky Business

The US has never encouraged cycling as a practical mode of travel, and as a result, biking to work is a rare and hazardous activity, with four times the fatality rate of some European countries. A Rutgers University study shows how that can change.

June 15, 2008 - New Urban News

Study Calls for Better Cooperation Between Feds and Metropolises

The federal government needs to recognize the economic power of the country's metropolises and work with them to create successful regions, according to a recent study from the Brookings Institution.

June 15, 2008 - The Christian Science Monitor

Oklahoma's Car Culture Forced to Adapt

Oklahoma City residents used to 70-mile commutes are turning to carpooling as gas hovers at $4 a gallon. But with the largest land area of any U.S. city, providing public transit remains a major challenge.

June 14, 2008 - CNNMoney.com

Infrastructure Deficit Called a 'Quiet Collapse of Prosperity'

Big city mayors testifying before a Senate committee are asking for more federal infrastructure investments, but admitted that even the $1.6 trillion estimated by the American Society of Engineers wouldn't be enough.

June 14, 2008 - CNN

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.