United States

Does The Built Environment Influence Physical Activity?

Evidence is sparse but supports a relationship between physical activityand the built environment.

February 15, 2005 - Transportation Research Board

So Why Public Transit?

Two transit advocates explain the need for high quality public transit in the United States.

February 15, 2005 - Public Transit

The Greening of Chinese Politics

The abrupt slowing and halting of over 20 dam projects in China represents one of the "most dramatic" turns toward environmental politics of any government.

February 15, 2005 - The Independent

Reflecting Sunlight into Space Could Slow Global Warming

Scientists see unmanned yachts "seeding" Earth's clouds with seawater as a hedge against global warming.

February 15, 2005 - The Guardian Unlimited

Mixing Economic Development And Planning

Ask planners if they are involved in economic development in their community and often the response is "no" or "not really," when the answer ought to be "yes."

February 15, 2005 - Planning Magazine

Addicted to Their Cars

Commuting in the Washington region is brutal, and no let-up is in sight.

February 14, 2005 - The Washington Post

Health Facilities Master Planning Case Study

Healing exterior spaces are moving from options to necessities as health systems compete for patients, staff and community good will.

February 14, 2005 - Health Facilities Management

Entertaining Development

Retail entertainment has exceeded the seemingly inflated expectations of a decade ago.

February 14, 2005 - Urban Land Magazine

In Memoriam: Is Stollman

Israel Stollman, FAICP, distinguished urban planner and key negotiator in the merger that created APA, died February 2 in New Zealand at the age of 81.

February 14, 2005 - American Planning Association

Suburbs Are Here To Stay, So Stop Complaining

Planning and related professions should stop condemning suburbs -- and focus on making them better.

February 14, 2005 - Architecture

Can Public Space Be Copyrighted?

Security guards stop a photojournalist from photographing public art in a city-owned park.

February 13, 2005 - New (sub)Urbanism

Bush Budget Goes Off The Rails

The budget tabled by President Bush seeks to eliminate the subsidy for Amtrak, at a time when countries around the world are investing in their passenger rail systems.

February 13, 2005 - The Boston Globe

Bush Budget Reduces Amtrak

Proposed 2006 budget would cut Amtrak's $1.2 billion federal funding possibly ending passenger service in many states.

February 12, 2005 - MSNBC

Study: Eminent Domain Used As First Resort, Not Last

A new report by the Reason Foundation finds that using eminentdomain often fails to help achieve economic development goals.

February 12, 2005 - Reason Public Policy Institute

Cars Killing Suburban Dwellers But Not By Accidents

The problem is that suburban and rural dwellers are much more likely to drive everywhere, and that means they have a higher chance of being obese or overweight, a health lobby group says.

February 12, 2005 - Canadian Broadcasting Corporation

Friday Funny: Census Bureau's Employment Estimate

Between 9,000 and 15,000 people work at the US Census Bureau, according to the Bureau's 2004 figures.

February 11, 2005 - The Onion

Universities And Modern Architecture: A Symbiotic Relationship

Distinctive architecture is making it's mark on British university campuses.

February 11, 2005 - The Independent

Does New Urbanism Create Crime-Friendly Neighborhoods?

Stephen Town and Randal O'Toole argue that in the name of "openness" New Urbanists are creating crime-friendly neighborhoods.

February 11, 2005 - Reason Online

Building On Manhattan's Most Important Site

The Super Bowl is over, but the big game -- a contest for the right tobuild on one of Manhattan's most important sites -- is heating up.

February 11, 2005 - The Slatin Report

Think Small To Address Big Environmental Problems

Nanoparticles are emerging as a cost effective method to attack some of the most vexing underground pollutants.

February 11, 2005 - The Christian Science Monitor

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.

Professor of Urban Planning

Harvard University Graduate School of Design

Transportation Planner I

KFH Group Inc.

Director, Strategy and Research

Greater Baltimore Committee

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.