United States

TODs Go Mainstream?

With the Wall Street Journal weighing in on transit-oriented development, has the movement that ties intensive, mixed land uses to transportation activity nodes finally reached the mainstream?

December 7, 2006 - The Wall Street Journal

Planners Largely Absent From '100 Most Influential Americans' List

The Atlantic magazine has released its list of the top 100 most influential figures in American history. The field of planning is sparingly represented.

December 7, 2006 - The Atlantic

Will Insurance Become A Catalyst For Land Use Reform?

Blaming an increasing degree of risk due to climate change, insurance companies are ending the practice of providing flood insurance in many coastal areas, triggering a potentially enormous effect on housing and land use patterns.

December 7, 2006 - The Washington Post

Hollywood's Latest Foray With Urban Planning

A new film centers on the efforts of one determined inner-city resident to confront the architect who designed the low-income housing project she lives in with her family.

December 6, 2006 - The Village Voice

Changing Auto Industry Links The Fates Of Two Towns

While Rustbelt cities cope with job losses at ailing U.S. auto makers, the south is benefiting from Asian auto makers' success.

December 6, 2006 - The New York Times

Are Hybrid Car Sales Headed For A Crash?

With gas prices falling and the amount of federal tax credits dwindling, sales of hybrid cars have hit a downward slide.

December 6, 2006 - The San Francisco Chronicle

Public Transit Vital For Future Of The U.S.

In the second of his two op-eds on the future of transportation in the United States, columnist Neal Peirce looks at the role of public transit.

December 6, 2006 - The Seattle Times

New Wave of Granny Units Stirs Community Debate

"Do they damage the 'look and feel' of the neighborhood character, or provide a necessary housing alternative?" Welcome to the granny unit debate in today's suburbs. Zoning revisions are being written that reflect the outcome of the debate.

December 5, 2006 - The New York Times

Infrastructure Projects Can Save America's Middle Class

Joel Kotkin and David Friedman believe investing in massive infrastructure projects can save the nation's middle and working classes.

December 4, 2006 - The Los Angeles Times

The State of Cities In The US And The UK

The report comparing American and English cities determines that communities on both sides of the Atlantic are dealing with similar challenges.

December 4, 2006 - The Brookings Institution

How Will 400 Million Americans Get Around In 2043?

With traffic congestion already growing intolerable in many cities, how will Americans be able to get to work when there are 400 million of us, asks Neal Peirce.

December 4, 2006 - The Seattle Times

Disguising Cell Phone Towers

Telecommunication companies are camouflaging cell phone towers in elaborate disguises

December 3, 2006 - CBS News via YouTube

Fighting Obesity With Urban Planning

CNN's Dr. Sanjay Gupta takes a look at several New Urbanist communities changing that are encouraging walking and physical activity.

December 3, 2006 - CNN.com

Expensive Gas Equals Less Driving

Reflecting the power of market price signals in influencing behavior, the average American traveled fewer miles behind the wheel in 2005 -- the first time in 25 years.

December 2, 2006 - CNN.com

HUD Housing Discount Extended To First Responders

A program that allows police officers and teachers to buy foreclosed homes in designated neighborhoods at half of their appraised value has been extended to include firefighters and emergency medical technicians.

December 2, 2006 - The Chicago Tribune

Supreme Court Considers Global Warming Rules Case

The long-awaited Supreme Court case, Massachusetts v. Environmental Protection Agency, No. 05-1120, that will determine whether the EPA should regulate carbon dioxide as an air pollutant from motor vehicles was heard on Nov. 29.

December 1, 2006 - The Los Angeles Times

Shrinking Smart: A New Planning Paradigm?

How to adequately plan for cities in decline is a growing problem that has received little attention.

December 1, 2006 - Governing Magazine

Voters, Ballots...Action!

In both Red and Blue states, voters cast their lot with getting things done during this year's midterm election. The Brookings Institution provides a rundown of all the ballot box results.

December 1, 2006 - The Brookings Institution

Finding Exurbia

The Brookings Institution sheds some light on the growing number of "exurbs" in the United States.

December 1, 2006 - The Brookings Institution

Most Americans Oppose New Development

The latest results from an annual survey once again confirms that a large majority of citizens are unsupportive of more growth and development in their communities.

November 30, 2006 - Globe St.com

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.

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.