United States

Report Calls for More Transit Investment

A recent report form the U.S. Public Interest Research Group highlights the arguments for increased investment in public transportation.

March 14, 2008 - U.S. PIRG, the Federation of State Public Interest Research Groups

Anti-McMansion Movement May Benefit Architects

A recent ruling that upholds the right of local communities to control overbuilding may prove to increase the crackdown on McMansions -- and demand for design professionals and architects.

March 12, 2008 - Architectural Record

South Parked

James Howard Kuntsler muses on how the end of cheap oil will mean the parallel decline of the suburban sprawl economy of the South and its NASCAR subculture.

March 12, 2008 - AlterNet

Universities Reconnect with Cities

Universities across the country are reviving their connections to their host cities, participating in urban renewal projects and investing in their cities' futures.

March 11, 2008 - The Columbian

The Developing Role of Charrettes

This episode of Smart City includes a discussion about charrettes with Bill Lennertz of the National Charrette Institute.

March 10, 2008 - Smart City

States Respond to Growth With Dam Plans

Growth and rising populations have many Western states reconsidering dams.

March 8, 2008 - Associated Press

Traffic Crashes Cost Twice as Much as Congestion

A traffic safety study released March 5 by the AAA highlights the enormous costs of traffic crashes, in terms of lives and dollars, to the U.S. The cost exceeds that of congestion while deaths amount to 117 daily.

March 7, 2008 - The Wall Street Journial

U.S. Homeowners Owe More Than They Own

For the first time since 1945, home equity rates in the U.S. have dropped to below 50% -- figures that could worsen if home prices continue to drop.

March 7, 2008 - CNN Money

U.S. Gas Consumption Drops - First Time In 16 Years

Economic recession and soaring gas prices have resulted in the largest, demand-induced, sustained decline in gas consumption in 16 years. Motorists are reacting to the higher prices and weaker economy in their vehicle selection and driving behavior.

March 6, 2008 - The Wall Street Journal

The Placemaking Checklist

The Project for Public Spaces offers this checklist to help determine if your city is a "great" city.

March 6, 2008 - Making Places

AICP's Continuing Education Program Needs To Be Fixed

The new continuing education program set up by the American Planning Association's American Institute of Certified Planners is an unfair system that will prevent AICP-certified planners from getting affordable, high-quality education.

March 6, 2008 - Nate Berg

5 Proven Ways to Preserve Open Space

What is your county doing to preserve open spaces important to your community? And is it effective? If the answers to those questions are "not enough" and "no", read on and take these effective strategies to your lawmakers.

March 5, 2008 - The Daily Green

Government Programs Stifle Local Farmers

Government subsidy programs designed to support the production of the four major food crops are limiting - even penalizing - small farmers' ability to meet regional demand for local fruits and vegetables.

March 5, 2008 - The New York Times

Cities Don't Need Special Treatment

This opinion piece from The Boston Globe calls for an end to the special treatment and unfair taxes levied on city residents.

March 4, 2008 - The Boston Globe

Climate Change May Prompt Revolution In Transportation Planning

Transportation planners and public officials have begun to consider ways to reconfigure cities and alter driving patterns in order to reduce vehicle miles traveled and reduce greenhouse gas emissions.

March 3, 2008 - InTransition Magazine

Obstacles Remain for Renewable Energy

John White, executive director of the Center for Energy Efficiency and Renewable Technology (CEERT) describes the obstacles that must be overcome for states and municipalities to reach their renewable energy targets.

March 3, 2008 - VerdeXchange News

Taking America's Infrastructure to the Bank

All indicators show that America's infrastructure -- from roads to bridges to sewers to airports -- is in dire need of investment and repair. Can a National Infrastructure Bank make the difference?

March 2, 2008 - Campaign for America's Future

Libraries in the Digital Age

In this slideshow from Slate, Witold Rybczynski looks at public libraries from across the country and wonders how they will and should react to the increasingly digital age.

March 1, 2008 - Slate

Redirecting Sprawl

Reining sprawl may require "redirecting" it.

March 1, 2008 - The Hartford Courant

End of Downtown Construction Boom May Be Near

Two notable large-scale projects in downtown L.A. have not broken ground on time, which many see as a sign of the end of downtown's real estate boom.

March 1, 2008 - The Architect's Newspaper

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.