United States

Nation's Energy Policy Is 'Stuck In Neutral'

Both political parties are to blame for the nation's energy crisis, writes Ronald Brownstein.

May 2, 2006 - The Los Angeles Times

Faith In Real Estate: Churches Sell Development Rights For Millions

Churches in New York, Chicago, and Washington, D.C, are selling land and air development rights to provide major funding for outreach programs.

May 2, 2006 - The Washington Post

The New Advertising: Satellite Graffiti

In an era of ever increasing satellite map imagery and tools like Google Maps to view them, savvy advertisers are now creating 'ground ads' large enough to show up on satellite map images. Think: crop circle advertising.

May 1, 2006 - eWeek

Politicians Afraid To Say We Should Drive Less

In this news analysis, Marc Sandalow says that politicians are bemoaning higher gas prices but are afraid to tell the voters the one thing they can do to reduce prices: drive less.

April 29, 2006 - The San Francisco Chronicle

Jane Jacobs' Blocks

Her focus on the literal building blocks of cities inspired countless leaders in the field, many of whom are mentioned here.

April 28, 2006 - The New York Times

Put Your Gas Where Your Mouth Is?

Plenty of senators are criticizing America's addiction to oil and the need for greater fuel efficiency, yet what are they driving?

April 28, 2006 - The Washington Post

U.S Breaks All Records For Increased Greenhouse Gas Emissions

In 2004, U.S. emissions of greenhouse gases increased by 1.7 percent -- the largest rate of increase ever recorded for any country.

April 28, 2006 - Environment News Service

Who Pays the Property Tax?

A critical aspect of the property tax, but one that is rarely addressed in public debate, is its 'economic incidence,' or who actually bears the burden of the tax, as opposed to its statutory incidence, or who literally pays the tax.

April 27, 2006 - Lincoln Institute of Land Policy

The Key Principles For Effective Planning

The Victoria Transport Policy Institute, a Canadian land use and transportation think tank, offers a review of planning principles and practices.

April 27, 2006 - Victoria Transport Policy Institute

Critics Warn Federal Plan Endangers National Monuments Land

Bureau of Land Management plan would permit more mining, grazin, and recreation use in the Arizona Strip -- home of two national monuments.

April 26, 2006 - The Los Angeles Times

Best Places To Retire Near Cities

Charles Longino, a professor of gerontology, identifies the best retiree locales that are close to major metropolitan areas by using FBI and U.S. Justice Department crime statistics and housing costs.

April 26, 2006 - The Wall Street Journal

Are Gas Prices Causing Drivers To Switch To Public Transit?

USA Today reports that public transit systems across the United States are seeing an increase in ridership, presumably due to rapidly increasing gas prices.

April 26, 2006 - USA Today

Mega-Churches Expand Into Former Retail Spaces

With growth of so-called "mega-churches" continuing unabated, congregations are outgrowing their current environs and are getting creative about new buildings in which to worship. But the trend is not without controversy.

April 26, 2006 - The Wall Street Journal

How To Improve Your Commute

A frustrated Houston commuter painstakingly analyzes his travel habits and uses a series of mathematical formulas to determine the optimum commute and save the most time.

April 26, 2006 - OmniNerd

Was Global Warming Behind 2005 Hurricanes?

Scientists debate whether last year's record Atlantic hurricanes can be attributable to greenhouse gases.

April 26, 2006 - CNN

A New Metric Model for Economic Development?

A study of the Northeast Ohio economy provides a different way of analyzing and tracking the impact of economic development initiatives by mathematically analyzing economic data and determining there are eight key factors of regional economic growth.

April 25, 2006 - The Fund for Our Economic Future

Designing A Socially Just Downtown

A grassroots coalition in Oakland used its organizing and design skills to produce a housing proposal the city couldn't refuse, despite the mayor's stiff opposition.

April 25, 2006 - Shelterforce Magazine

Toll Roads: It's Right Thing To Do

Mike Krusee, Texas House Transportation Committee Chair, says tolls are more efficient and equitable than gas taxes.

April 25, 2006 - tollroadnews.com

Drowsy And Distracted Drivers Cause 80% Of Crashes

A new government study sheds light on the cause of most crashes -- and the results are startling. Prior analysis of crashes showed "driver inattention" to be responsible for only 1 out of 4 crashes.

April 25, 2006 - Associated Press via San Francisco Chronicle

What Is The New Suburbanism?

Joel Kotkin, author of the November 2005 report "The New Suburbanism", introduces the new planning theory, clarifies what it means, and describes how it remains very much a work in progress.

April 24, 2006 - Joel Kotkin

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.