United States

Sensationalist 'Lara Croft' Architecture Damages Cities

Deyan Sudjic laments the popularity of "icon" architecture such as the works for Frank Gehry and Santiago Calatrava but suggests that the style is about to fade away.

October 30, 2003 - The Observer

The Backlash Against Smart Growth

Writing in Innovation Briefs, Ken Orski charges that the Smart Growth forces -- long basking in uncritical acclaim -- now find themselves on the defensive.

October 30, 2003 - Innovation Briefs

9/11 And The Economic Prospects Of Major U.S. Cities

An academic article examines the likely longer-term urban impacts of the September 11, 2001 terrorist attacks.

October 30, 2003 - Planning and Markets

Cobblestone: Charming . . . and Dangerous

Drivers say cobblestone intersections are slippery and dangerous but New York State Dept. of Transportation says they are aesthetic enhancements that serve as a "traffic calming method."

October 29, 2003 - Times Union

Make Room For Different Tastes

If you're in the business of designing environments people will pay money to live in, you can't design your idea of utopia and force everyone to conform to it, writes Virginia Postrel.

October 29, 2003 - Reason Online

The More Sprawl, The Shorter The Average Commute

An academic journal article examines U.S. commuting data between 1985 To 1997.

October 29, 2003 - Planning and Markets

The Cost Of Driving: 4 Tons Of Nature Per Mile

Readers discuss a recent study by University of Utah that found that the amount of gasoline needed by a reasonably efficient car to travel a single mile comes from 4 tons of prehistoric plant material.

October 28, 2003 - Slashdot

The Future Of Oil

The Economist predicts the end of the age of oil is within sight.

October 28, 2003 - The Economist

How America Is Ravaging The Planet

In a major investigation, Matthew Engel reports on how the Bush administration is ignoring all attempts to curb serious environmental damage to the nation and the planet.

October 28, 2003 - The Guardian Unlimited

Is Your Town Funky?

A list of the world's top design hot spots.

October 27, 2003 - Newsweek

U.S. Metro Air Quality Not Improving

EPA reports that despite nationwide efforts there have been no overall air quality gains in the last decade.

October 27, 2003 - USA Today

The World's Greatest Living Architect

Jay Merrick reviews the life and work of the "world's greatest living architect."

October 27, 2003 - The Guardian Unlimited

Anti-Smart Growth Group Debunks Transit 'Myths'

A group that considers Smart Growth as one of the "greatest threat to American mobility, affordable housing, and freedom," calls rail transit "a costly and foolish investment."

October 27, 2003 - American Dream Coalition

The War On Sprawl

It is time to face sprawl politics and the sprawl lobby, writes Joel Hirschhorn.

October 27, 2003 - Planetizen

In Search Of A New Planning Philosophy

Shaking off the legacy of modernism in urban planning and design.

October 26, 2003 - The Planning Report

China's Booming Construction Industry

New high-rises are begun almost daily as displacement, housing and property rights remain large concerns.

October 25, 2003 - Knight Ridder Newspapers

Highways Becoming Parking Lots

Complete highway standstills - over three hours in length - have British transportation officials scrambling to help.

October 25, 2003 - The Observer

Korea's Apartment Mystery

A French geographer investigates the startling prevalence of apartment buildings in Seoul.

October 25, 2003 - Korea Herald

The Challenge Of Rebuilding Iraq

In looking for the secret to successfully rebuilding Iraq, the Bush Administration may review previous reconstructions in other war-torn lands such as Kuwait, Bosnia-Herzegovina and Afghanistan.

October 25, 2003 - McGraw Hill Construction

Friday Funny: Embarrassing Street Name Forces Couple To Move Out

A lesson to be learned on the sensitive nature of street identity, and the effect it can have on residents.

October 24, 2003 - The Boston Globe

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.