United States

Rise in Vacant Housing Leading to Scams

The epidemic of vacant housing is leading not just to squatting, but to people illegally 'renting' out homes they don't own.

May 21, 2008 - Reuters

Best U.S. City to Raise a Family: Honolulu?

Let the controversy begin -- Best Life Magazine named Honolulu #1 on its list of "The 100 Best Places to Raise a Family", while Flint, Michigan scrapes the bottom. Where does your city rank?

May 21, 2008 - Best Life Magazine

Planning For The End Of The Cul-de-sac

With Cul-de-sac restrictions catching on in the South, one Arkansas town is beginning to make plans to create complete, compact and connected neighborhoods.

May 21, 2008 - Northwest Arkansas Times

Making Amtrak A National Priority

With ridership up nationwide, the next president should start getting serious about investing in passenger rail service, argues a recent column.

May 20, 2008 - The Boston Globe

Back in the (Bike) Saddle Again?

While Americans have not turned to the bicycle as a mode of transportation in the same numbers seen elsewhere in the world, some predict that soaring gas prices and increased infrastructure investments could change that.

May 20, 2008 - Reuters

Trading Planning Tips With Shanghai

While the city's regional approach is the envy of many American planners, Shanghai is also guilty of top-down planning that may end up encouraging sprawl.

May 20, 2008 - The Hartford Courant

Coping With Vacant Big Boxes

To deal with the problem of vacant big-box stores that have proliferated across the country, one Milwaukee suburb is levying a fee on developers to help pay for demolition. Other cities are exploring similar options.

May 19, 2008 - Milwaukee Journal Sentinel

The Importance Of Street Parking

New research from the University of Connecticut shows that on-street parking is a key ingredient in a vibrant and pedestrian-friendly downtown.

May 19, 2008 - The Hartford Courant

Should Apartment Buildings Be Made Smoke-Free?

A recent survey shows that while many renters support the idea of smoke-free apartment buildings, an equal number are concerned about infringing on the rights of tenants -- even if they don't smoke.

May 18, 2008 - Multi-Housing News

Congressman Says U.S. Needs To Get Onboard High Speed Rail

The top Republican on the House Transportation and Infrastructure Committee is leading a bill to fund new high-speed rail, stating he's ready to fight the air travel lobby that has traditionally opposed plans for high-speed rail.

May 18, 2008 - CNN

Multifamily Housing Construction Surges In April

While the market for single-family homes remains deeply troubled, developers of apartment buildings are moving ahead with new construction -- likely expecting rising rents from tightening rental vacancy rates due to displaced homeowners.

May 17, 2008 - The Wall Street Journal

Cities Want Banks To Pay For Blight Caused By Foreclosures

Minneapolis is one of several cities that have filed lawsuits against mortgage companies, seeking damages for the blight caused by the large number of foreclosures in some of its neighborhoods.

May 16, 2008 - USA Today

The Wildflower Wars

A dazzling wildflower season spells trouble for master-planned communities across the West.

May 16, 2008 - The Next American City

Cities Should Be Like Pizza

Keeping land uses separate is like keeping the ingredients of pizza separate, according to Congress for New Urbanism President John Norquist. The result is an urban pie that doesn't taste as good as it could.

May 16, 2008 - Columbus Ledger-Enquirer

Infrastructure Needs to be a Major Election Issue

None of the major presidential candidates are paying enough attention to the nation's deteriorating infrastructure, according to this article.

May 16, 2008 - Scholars & Rogues

Beneath the Bright Lights, But Not Talking Energy

In a report back from the APA conference in Las Vegas, Daniel Lerch worries that planners are not concerned enough about planning for a constrained-energy future.

May 15, 2008 - Post Carbon Cities Blog

Aging Wastewater Systems Threatening Water Supplies

Aging sewage systems in municipalities across the country are falling into disrepair, resulting in massive leaks and spills that threaten drinking water and public health.

May 15, 2008 - USA Today

The City, the College and the Hospital

This article from Governing looks at the role of higher education and medical facilities in keeping urban areas alive.

May 14, 2008 - Governing

Homeowner Associations Feel Impact Of Foreclosure Crisis

With high foreclosure rates and growing numbers of residents delinquent with their dues, many homeowners associations are having a hard time paying for repairs and amenities.

May 14, 2008 - The Wall Street Journal

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.