United States

Brits Say US Cities Should Look To UK's Successes

Dermot Finch of the Centre for Cities, an independent research group, says that the U.S. could learn a lot from the U.K.'s urban renaissance.

June 14, 2008 - BBC News

Golf Carts on Main Street

Soaring fuel costs are seeing more people turning to non-conforming vehicles, such as golf carts. But studies show that they are a risky mode of transportation.

June 13, 2008 - The Globe & Mail

Municipal WiFi: Boon or Boondoggle?

Santa Monica, CA is succeeding where other larger cities have failed, creating a public WiFi system that actually makes money.

June 12, 2008 - Marketplace

The Sudden Death Of The SUV

Gas-guzzling SUVs no longer rule the U.S. auto market.

June 12, 2008 - Wired Autopia

Rural U.S. Hit Hardest By Gas Prices

Gas prices have just surpassed the $4 mark, but the impact is far from uniform throughout the nation- poor, rural counties, particularly in the south and west, suffer disproportionately.

June 11, 2008 - The New York Times

Making Suburbs Act Like Cities

In order to respond to the changing climate and economy, many say suburbs need to start acting more like cities.

June 11, 2008 - The New York Times

America's First Archaeological Suburb?

Most developers dread finding archaeological remains. Normally it means months of delays and increased costs while archaeologists investigate the site. However, some savvy developers are turning archaeological finds into a marketing advantage.

June 10, 2008 - The Economist

Propane: Cheaper and Cleaner Than Gasoline?

The California Air Resources board is expected to approve a new propane-fueled engine this week, opening the door for an alternative fuel source for cars and trucks. Supporters say its also convenient because distribution channels already exist.

June 10, 2008 - CNET News

Obsessive Behavior Saves Gas

NPR reports on 'hypermilers', drivers who practice active gas-saving techniques like braking lightly and combining trips. One hypermiler says he isn't doing it to be green: 'The environment I'm concerned with is my wallet.'

June 10, 2008 - NPR

June is Public Participation in Urban Planning Month

Urban planning commentator Robert Goodspeed declares June "Public Participation in Urban Planning Month" and offers a four part series examining how technology and public participation might be more closely linked.

June 9, 2008 - The Goodspeed Update

Obama and McCain's Energy, Environment Policies Compared

The Wall Street Journal and other publications compare the energy and environmental policies of Sen. Barack Obama and Sen. John McCain, presumptive nominees for the 2008 U.S. presidential election.

June 9, 2008 - The Wall Street Journal

Now That People Are Using Transit, Improve It

Driving is down, transit ridership is up, but few are serisouly talking about how to improve America's transit system, according to this article from Grist, which wonders why.

June 9, 2008 - Grist

Drivers Cling to Their SUVs

Even as SUV sales have dropped 33% this year, some drivers hang on to their gas-guzzlers. "You've got to have that room when you're moving around," says a Georgia man. The cost of switching is another major factor for families.

June 8, 2008 - CNN.com

Portland Congressman Leading Push for Federal Infrastructure Investment

Rep. Earl Blumenauer (D-Oregon) has been selected by House Speaker Nancy Pelosi to lead a campaign to 'Renew and Rebuild America.'

June 8, 2008 - The Planning Report

The Connection Between Gas Prices and Car Choice, Explained

The cartoon strip 'This Modern World' looks at how gas prices have influenced motorists' selection of motor vehicles in the United States - from the 1970's to 'five minutes from now'.

June 7, 2008 - Salon.com

Robert Reich Stumps for Transit

Former Secretary of Labor Robert Reich gives his two cents about the need to expand public transit.

June 7, 2008 - Robert Reich's Blog

Unfortunately, More Trains Means More Noise

A peaceful suburb wanting to preserve its tranquility is pitted against a large rail company attempting to lessen freight congestion around Chicago by running its trains through it and other suburbs on an existing rail line it hopes to purchase.

June 5, 2008 - Associated Press via Miami Herald

The ROI of Hybrids

With gas prices as they are, does it make sense to ditch your SUV and buy a hybrid? Count on the Wall St. Journal to break it down a discussion of your return on investment.

June 5, 2008 - Wall St. Journal

Turning Garbage into Power

A new technology called plasma gasification may make landfills a thing of the past, and make city garbage collection a profitable service.

June 4, 2008 - Popular Science

Pushing New Fuel Taxes In The Era Of $4 Gasoline

As drivers complain about higher gas prices, one California lawmaker is promoting a new 9 cent fee on gasoline to fund public transportation and congestion relief in Los Angeles County.

June 4, 2008 - NPR

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.