United States

Learning From Bangalore: Lessons For Declining U.S. Cities

What declining Detroit can learn from booming Bangalore.

June 6, 2006 - Abhijeet Chavan

Bill Clinton Pushes LEED On Shopping Center Industry

Former President Clinton, addressing the shopping center industry's convention in Las Vegas, urged the adoption of LEED certification for new centers, explaining how it would benefit the security of the country and the economy.

June 6, 2006 - The Denver Post

The Top 15 Sustainable Cities In The U.S.

The Pacific Northwest trumps this year's rankings, although a number of older East Coast cities also make the top ten. Criteria considered include commitment to public health, the local economy, and citizens and city cooperation on long-term goals.

June 6, 2006 - Marketwatch

Future Silicon Valleys Need More Than 'Rich People And Nerds'

Joel Kotkin takes issue with Paul Graham's recent commentary on "How To Be Silicon Valley", asserting that his logic is elitist and much of his evidence incorrect, in this three-part Inc.com blog entry.

June 5, 2006 - Inc.com

Is There A Nationwide Gentrification 'Conspiracy'?

In New York City, big landlords are driving out thousands of low income residents. Juan Gonzales believes this may be a national trend and local governments are actively assisting in gentrification.

June 5, 2006 - Democracy Now

Faux Suburban Downtowns Challenge Traditional City Centers

The popularity of mixed-use suburban town centers is threatening the viability of older, traditional downtowns. While many tout their urban-style amenities, the suburban centers often lack transit and -- sometimes -- even sidewalks.

June 3, 2006 - The Wall Street Journal

How Trains Can Preserve 'America the Beautiful'

Alfred Runte, author of "Allies of the Earth: Railroads and the Soul of Preservation", calls on the United States to revive its passenger rail service in order to conserve energy and preserve the natural landscape.

June 3, 2006 - The Seattle Times

Problems With Water Privatization

Water privatization brings a flood of problems in U.S. cities. Is this a preview of a global issue?

June 2, 2006 - The Los Angeles Times

The Evolution Of Online Mapping

Interesting mapping applications are emerging from museums and other organizations dedicated to education and conservation.

June 2, 2006 - The Christian Science Monitor

Public Infrastructure: A Good Real Estate Investment?

Experts speculate that as record amounts of investment continue to pour into the commercial real estate industry, infrastructure represents the next big frontier for real estate investors.

June 1, 2006 - National Real Estate Investor

The Problems With Toll Roads

The Denver Post publishes an investigative series entitled "Truth Be Tolled", exposing errors in toll road forecasting, and suggesting that financial conflicts of interest may be responsible.

June 1, 2006 - The Denver Post

FEMA Facing Class-Action Lawsuit Over Changes To Post-Katrina Housing Aid

Thousands of Katrina survivors scattered throughout the country may be about to lose their homes due to changes in FEMA funding.

June 1, 2006 - The New Standard

Seven Housing Markets With Most Potential

How to identify and invest in housing markets with good short- and long-term appreciation potential.

June 1, 2006 - The Los Angeles Times

Multigenerational Households Increase Across Country

Living together for economic and social reasons, multigenerational households begin to influence architects and developers.

June 1, 2006 - The New York Times

City Life: New 3D Planning Game Called 'SimCity With a Conscience'

City Life is a stunning city-building simulation which gives players the opportunity to build and manage a modern day metropolis in a fully 3D world. The game is being hailed as "SimCity with a conscience."

May 31, 2006 - GameSpot

Who Is To Blame For High Gas Prices?

Don't blame just the oil companies writes Rosa Brooks.

May 31, 2006 - Abhijeet Chavan

Loft-Style Living Becoming Popular In Smaller Towns

Even humble burgs like Mount Airy, N.C., inspiration for Mayberry on the "Andy Griffith Show," are experiencing the trend. A local tobacco warehouse there is slated to be redeveloped into 43 market-rate apartments.

May 31, 2006 - The Atlanta Journal-Constitution

Bush Says Nuclear Energy Is Safe, Eco-friendly

President Bush says that nuclear power would help nation deal with high oil prices and calls the nuclear industry "overregulated".

May 31, 2006 - Abhijeet Chavan

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.