Tom Sanchez, PhD, AICP, taught urban planning for 30 years. Over the past several years, he's been researching the application of AI to urban planning. His book, AI for Urban Planning (Routledge), came out in 2025. His new book, The Handbook of AI and Urban Planning (Elgar), is due out in 2027. He also teaches a 6-Week Planetizen course, "Preparing Your Planning Agency for AI."
AI agents: What urban planners should know
The self-driving cars of the AI world open a trove of opportunities for planners — and a whole new set of challenges to overcome.
Getting Started with AI: A Practical Guide for Urban Planners
Planetizen’s resident AI and planning expert answers the number one question he gets asked: where do I begin?
What the Data Center Boom Means for Planners
It’s tempting to write off the havoc that data centers are wreaking in communities across the country as an IT problem. The truth? It’s a planning problem.
AI for Planners Explained: Urban Digital Twins
When AI stops talking and starts showing.
The Dos and Don’ts of Using AI in Community Engagement for Urban Planners
AI promises more engagement more efficiently and, finally, a solution to those empty consultation rooms. The reality is a little more nuanced.