United States

Funding Bike Infrastructure: Point-Counterpoint

Part of a week-long series, Randal O'Toole and blogger Will Campbell debate federal funding for bike infrastructure and question whether a broad bike system should be built before or after the demand presents itself.

January 13, 2008 - The Los Angeles Times

Friday Funny: The 'Transcontinental Straw' and Other Urban Water Supply Strategies

The satirical newspaper The Onion lists some dubious water conservation strategies being contemplated in American cities.

January 11, 2008 - The Onion

The Era of the 'Ghost Mall'

A slowing economy will lead to the era of the 'ghost mall', according to this article from Slate.

January 11, 2008 - Slate

When Pieces of National Parks Go on Sale, U.S. Can't Pay

Funding shortages are leaving officials at the national parks with little or no power to acquire new lands, enabling private interests to buy up sensitive lands before they can be protected federally.

January 11, 2008 - The Christian Science Monitor

Reserach Shows Misconceptions About Trees and Street Safety

Engineers have cited safety concerns in advising against tree planting along streets, but recent research shows that the rare tree-lined street may be less dangerous than the much more common street lined with parked cars.

January 11, 2008 - Access

Making Congestion Pricing Politically Feasible

In this article from Access, authors David King, Michael Manville and Donald Shoup suggest that distributing the revenue created by road tolling and congestion pricing will make the controversial idea more politically viable.

January 10, 2008 - Access

The Revolution Will Not be Internally Combusted

By staking claim to public space, Critical Mass rides are a powerful means of supporting First Amendment rights to free speech and free assembly, according to this piece from Yes! Magazine.

January 10, 2008 - Yes! Magazine

Leave Planning To Planners

In this column, APA Executive Director Paul Farmer expounds on the other professions that are inappropriately making planning decisions, and discusses how New Urbanists are close to repeating the mistakes of other modernist movements.

January 9, 2008 - Planning

Report Examines Flow of Jobs and Workers

This report from The Brookings Institution examined census data for the largest 150 municipalities in the U.S. to determine if and how jobs follow rising populations of workers, and what cities can do to increase access to jobs and workers.

January 9, 2008 - The Brookings Institution

Urban Parks Rebound

High-profile urban parks in Denver and Irvine, California, hint at a resurgence in the creation of outdoor spaces in America's urban areas.

January 9, 2008 - The Economist

This is the End, My Suburban Friend, the End

James Howard Kunstler reflects on how the housing crisis fallout will affect American society in an election year.

January 8, 2008 - Jim Kunstler's Blog

Extreme Makeover: Government Edition

According to columnist Ken Miller, government agencies can learn a lot from the television show "Extreme Makeover: Home Edition".

January 8, 2008 - Governing

Housing Questions for the Presidential Candidates

City Limits Weekly presents a rundown of some of the biggest housing-related issues facing presidential candidates this year and looks at the policies and records of those vying to take over the country's top post.

January 8, 2008 - City Limits Weekly

Mortgage Crisis Solution Is In The Past

In this column, Neal Peirce argues that the country needs to take a step back in time to the regulations and policies of the early 1970s to solve the current mortgage meltdown.

January 7, 2008 - The Denver Post

Sub-Prime Crisis + Expensive Gas = End Of Sprawl?

This op-ed by Eduardo Peñalver, a Cornell professor of property and land-use law, suggests that escalating gas prices and declining home prices may drive development inward, presenting a great opportunity to end sprawl using regional planning.

January 7, 2008 - The Washington Post

Cities Keep Broadband In Mind

Many big cities' plans for free citywide Wi-Fi networks fell apart in 2007. But this column from Governing argues that cities should keep broadband Internet access as a priority to remain competitive.

January 4, 2008 - Governing

How Presidential Politics 'Hurts Cities'

In this video clip, Buffalo Mayor Byron Brown discusses how presidential politics are unduly influenced by rural power, at the expense of the interests of cities.

January 4, 2008 - AlterNet

Remembering John Parr, Champion Of Regionalism

John Parr was one of the few people who could get narrow-minded local politicians, neighborhood organizers and business leaders to work together for the regional good. Tragically, Parr died in a highway crash just before Christmas.

January 4, 2008 - California Planning & Development Report

'Phenomenal' Impact of Mortgage Crisis on States, Cities

Numerous foreclosures and vacant properties mean dramatically reduced property and sales tax revenues and hence significant budgeting shortfalls.

January 3, 2008 - The Los Angeles Times

Federal Transit Grants Favor Buses Over Portland Streetcar

Portland wants to expand its streetcar system, and is relying on federal funds to do it. But the Federal Transit Administration says it will give grants to only cost-effective proposals -- creating a heavy bias toward buses and away from streetcars.

January 3, 2008 - The Oregonian

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.