United States

How Aerial Trams Can Play A Role In Urban Transit

Aerial trams are an effective, if idiosyncratic, mode of transportation. Reconnecting America's Jeff Wood reflects on how and when to explore this dramatic transit option.

June 12, 2007 - Reconnecting America

Cities Take Action On Climate Change

While the federal government resists taking action on climate change, municipalities are implementing their own plans and guidelines to reduce energy consumption and the production of greenhouse gases.

June 12, 2007 - The Washington Post

Making Housing Work For Grandparents And Grandchildren

With more and more grandparent raising their grandchildren nationally, developers are responding to the demand for housing that can accommodate both age groups and provide the specialized services each needs.

June 11, 2007 - The Chicago Tribune

A Browner Shade of Green: The New Water Rules and the Next Chapter of Sprawl

Stormwater mitigation rules are supposed to help protect the environment, but the current regulations also end up encouraging sprawl over urban redevelopment.

June 11, 2007 - Lisa Nisenson

'Green' Was The Theme At AIA Convention

Over 20,000 people descended on San Antonio to celebrate the 150th anniversary of the American Institute of Architects -- whose conference focused on how sustainable design is changing the way buildings are located, designed and constructed.

June 11, 2007 - Multi Family Housing News

The Price Of Cheap Energy: High Carbon Emissions

A state's carbon emissions is largely correlated with the source of its electricity -- the more coal power, the larger the carbon footprint, and the lower the electric rates.

June 10, 2007 - AP via Seattle Post-Intelligencer

Small Rural Towns Take Reins In Providing Internet Service

Rural towns are making moves to provide their own high speed internet services. Many rural areas are underserved by big internet service providers, and public officials recognize the importance of internet access to the future of their communities.

June 8, 2007 - The Christian Science Monitor

Houston's 'Opportunity Urbanism' Demonstrates Future Of Cities

A recent report by Joel Kotkin and the Greater Houston Partnership offers an alternative to Richard Florida's Creative Class model for the future of cities -- using the Sunbelt metropolis as a case study.

June 7, 2007 - Greater Houston Partnership

Cities In US And UK Consider Public Wi-Fi

In both the US and the UK, local governments are looking to offer wireless internet access in public spaces as a way to get more people out on the streets and near businesses. But they are carefully considering the idea's sustainability.

June 6, 2007 - The Seattle Times, BBC

Nicollet Mall, Minneapolis: Successful, But Buses Need to Go

Minneapolis' signature street has fulfilled its promise as an urban oasis. But belching buses and sidewalk cafes don't mix.

June 6, 2007 - Minneapolis Star Tribune

Google Maps Begins To Integrate Transit Information

The internet firm has launched new features making it easier for users to learn about transit options when getting directions.

June 5, 2007 - WorldChanging

Why Americans Like Big Homes

Americans generally see bigger as better, and a desire for status combined with local government's desire to attract high-income residents often drives the development of large homes on large lots.

June 5, 2007 - The Environmental Report

Google's 'Street View' Sparks Privacy Questions

"Street View," a new feature of Google Maps, offers panoramic street-level views of major urban areas. Where do you draw the line between public & private?

June 4, 2007 - The New York Times

Planning For The Afterlife

Most cities and planners seem unprepared to deal with the land use issues surrounding the nation's burgeoning cemeteries.

June 4, 2007 - Debbie Woodell

All Disaster Planning Now Under Control of the White House?

In the case of a national emergency such as a Katrina-type storm or an act of terrorism, the White House will assume control over the other branches of government, according to a new Presidential Directive.

June 4, 2007 - The Progressive

Conserving Gas By Buying A Third Car

Rather than down-sizing to a more economic vehicle, many commuters are instead choosing to up-size their car ‘fleet’ to include the smaller vehicle, rather than trading-in their gas-guzzler, resulting in an explosion of three-car households.

June 4, 2007 - The New York Times

Poor Communities Victimized by Subprime Fallout

Subprime lenders appears to have deliberately targeted some of America's poorest communities. The resulting wave of foreclosures could eliminate more homeowners than were added.

June 3, 2007 - The Wall Street Journal

A Collaborative Approach to Eminent Domain

With the fallout of Kelo v. New London, its critical that planners rethink how redevelopment happens, and who it serves.

June 3, 2007 - Real Estate Issues

Why The Coal-To-Liquid Fuel Alternative Is 'Unacceptable'

Not all energy alternatives are created equal. In fact, some are twice as bad as gasoline from a global warming perspective. This editorial points the finger at coal-to-liquid as the worst of them and cautions Congress not to subsidize the technology

June 2, 2007 - The New York Times

Google Adds Photorealistic 'Street Views'

Available for select cities, "Street View" feature provides a 360-degree view of a neighborhood. New "Mapplets" enables users to create their own maps.

May 31, 2007 - Red Herring

Urban Design for Planners 1: Software Tools

This six-course series explores essential urban design concepts using open source software and equips planners with the tools they need to participate fully in the urban design process.

Planning for Universal Design

Learn the tools for implementing Universal Design in planning regulations.

Associate/Senior Planner

Gallatin County Department of Planning & Community Development

Senior Planner

Heyer Gruel & Associates PA

Top Books

An annual review of books related to planning.

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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.