United States

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

The Battle Over Gated Greenspace

Communities are stepping up measures to prevent developments from fencing in public areas. The new round of protests comes as the amount of open land in the U.S. is shrinking.

May 31, 2007 - The Wall Street Journal

The Pros And Cons of Gentrification

Policies can create a yin and yang effect in gentrification movements.

May 30, 2007 - On Common Ground

Carbon Tax Vs. Carbon Trading

L.A. Times editorial compares carbon taxes and carbon trading schemes and argues that carbon taxes are the best way to combat global warming.

May 29, 2007 - The Los Angeles Times

Building A Home Everyone Can Visit

May 29, 2007 - Wayne Senville

Stagnant Federal Gas Tax Lies At Heart Of Transportation Funding Crisis

Congress' reluctance to raise the gas tax, as well as the President's refusal to approve an increase, lies at the heart of the transportation funding crisis, affecting both roads and transit.

May 26, 2007 - Associated Press via Inside Bay Area.Com

A Vision For An Environmetally Friendly House In The Desert

Diller Scofidio + Renfro, in collaboration with the environmental-design firm Atelier Ten, have imagined a luxurious and sustainable house for the style and eco-conscious set.

May 26, 2007 - The New York Times

Gas Prices Be Damned, SUVs Are Back!

Just as gas prices have soared to their highest, inflation-adjusted prices, SUV sales, including the new 'crossovers', have rebounded following a two-year drop in popularity, to the chagrin of many environmentalists.

May 25, 2007 - The San Francisco Chronicle

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.

Transportation Planner I

KFH Group Inc.

Director, Strategy and Research

Greater Baltimore Committee

Senior Planner

Eagle County Government

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.