United States

Will Planners Save the Country's Overlooked Masses?

From unemployment to rising rents to widespread foreclosures, many major problems face Americans. In his latest column, Neal Peirce argues that planners are the ones who can formulate a broad solution.

May 6, 2008 - The Denver Post

A Micro Approach to A Macro Problem

This article from The Washington Post looks at what local municipalities are doing to reduce greenhouse gas emissions.

May 6, 2008 - The Washington Post

$3.50 Gasoline Is Changing The Nation's Vehicle Fleet

Small car sales, especially hybrids and subcompacts, are jumping while pickups and SUV sales plummet, contributing to a reduction in gas consumption. The $3.50 gallon mark may have been key to influencing vehicle selection as well as driver behavior.

May 5, 2008 - The New York Times

Gas Prices Hurting Housing Market

The bursting of the housing bubble may be tied to rising gas prices, according to one economist.

May 5, 2008 - The Oregonian

Rental Market Heating Up Due To Foreclosures

Americans who've lost their homes to foreclosure are now looking to rent, tightening up already low vacancy rates and driving up prices. Meanwhile, foreclosed homes sit empty.

May 4, 2008 - The Wall Street Journal

U.S. DOT Joins the Blogosphere

Transportation Secretary Mary Peters (or, more likely, her communications team) has taken up blogging, but the new PR outlet comes with a title that's not so friendly to all modes of transportation.

May 4, 2008 - Streetsblog

Pittsburgh, Los Angeles Top List Of Cities With The Worst Air Pollution

The American Lung Association has released its 2008 State of the Air report, which ranks cities with the worst air pollution.

May 2, 2008 - Associated Press

Rethinking The Fountain

For thousands of years, fountains always featured a water basin. Then landscape architect Peter Walker designed Harvard University's Tanner Fountain, and a revolutionary new idea was born.

May 2, 2008 - The Chronicle of Higher Education

Green Incentives Don't Help Small Businesses

While cities are eager to encourage businesses to go green, many government incentive programs are not designed with small businesses in mind.

May 2, 2008 - Globe St.

Even With Soaring Prices, U.S. Gas Is Still Cheap

With gas averaging $3.45 a gallon, the U.S. still only ranks as the 110th most expensive place to buy gas -- out of 155 countries.

May 1, 2008 - CNN Money

For These Homeowners, The Smaller The Better

Smaller, environmentally friendly homes -- ranging from as much as 1000 to as little as 70 square feet -- are a hot trend in modern architecture. Eco-conscious (and wallet-conscious) buyers are increasingly interested in these new "micro mansions".

May 1, 2008 - Metropolis Magazine

Is Residential Energy Use Affected By Urban Form?

In the current issue of Housing Policy Debate, Reid Ewing and Fang Rong argue that sprawling urban form contributes to higher residential energy use. Two responses -- one from Samuel Staley and another by John Randolph -- rebut the paper.

May 1, 2008 - Housing Policy Debate

Smart Growth's Role In The Housing Crisis

The housing markets most affected by the subprime mortgage fallout are those with the toughest land use regulations, argues Wendell Cox.

May 1, 2008 - The Heritage Foundation

'Gas Tax Holiday' Won't Help Americans

New York Times columnist Thomas Friedman holds no punches in expressing his displeasure in the 'gas tax holiday' proposal now that presidential candidate Hillary Clinton has joined presumptive Republican nominee John McCain in endorsing it.

April 30, 2008 - The New York Times

Questioning The Value Of Stadium Subsidies

Taxpayers typically contribute more than 50 percent of the cost of a new stadium or arena these days, but what are they getting for their money?

April 30, 2008 - The American

Did Rising Gas Prices Burst The Housing Bubble?

A new reports says high gas prices have contributed to falling house prices in the nation's suburbs.

April 30, 2008 - The Oregonian

Economic Woes May Cut Down Sprawl

The downturn in the economy could bring about major changes to the pattern of suburban sprawl development.

April 30, 2008 - Marketplace

City Mayors To Candidates: Notice Us!

Mayors of Reading and Scranton, Pa. plead for presidential candidates to address substantive city-region issues, such as transit access, investment in high-tech industries and increased federal funding for sustainable infrastructure improvements.

April 30, 2008 - The Philadelphia Inquirer

Earth To Houston: Wake Up And Smell The Greenhouse Gas Emissions

While the American Dream Coalition celebrates the 'freedom and affordability' of Houston -- Robert Steuteville wonders why the group ignores the environmental and financial consequences of such an auto-dependent city.

April 29, 2008 - New Urban News

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.