World
The COVID-19 pandemic and massive mall-retailer closings has left millions of highly skilled workers from the retail and food and beverage industries unemployed and eager to work. Many will seek to open their own businesses in downtowns.
ASLA The Dirt
Feature
Perceptions of what makes density either "good" or "bad" have shifted over the years, and the pandemic is likely to precipitate another shift.
There is no planning without public health, according to a new guide released in a moment of global crisis for both professional fields.
World Health Organization
The terminology of the coronavirus pandemic isn't applied consistently, particularly when dealing with areas seeing a resurgence of infection after states have relaxed social distancing restrictions. The World Health Organization added some clarity.
Reuters
The usual sounds of the city have subsided, replaced by birds and quiet that at times can be eery and unsettling.
The New York Times
North America has experienced a 5% jump in rates of cycling since the U.S. started staying home. As electric bikes enjoy impressive sales increases, cities around the world consider making the shift permanent by planning bike-friendly infrastructure.
The Verge
A recently published study predicts a 4 to 7 percent decline in greenhouse gas emissions for 2020 compared to 2019.
The Washington Post
Findings from graduating doctoral students undertaking urban-related research.
Penn IUR Urban Link
On Monday, the 73rd World Health Assembly convenes virtually for two days. NPR's Scott Simon speaks with a WHO spokesperson about how long we can expect to live with the coronavirus that causes COVID-19.
NPR Weekend Edition Saturday
Mapping of the crisis is producing a fascinating and important trove of cartographic records.
CityLab
The pandemic has raised alarms about density. Post-pandemic, urban planners should fight more passionately than ever for progressive principles that make cities more equitable, pleasant, and, yes, healthy.
California Planning & Development Report
Cities around the world are putting sustainability and climate change at the forefront of economic recovery plans.
The Guardian
Perhaps no nation has captured more media attention in its handling of the coronavirus pandemic than Sweden. Unlike most of Europe, it never went into lockdown, relying mostly on voluntary social distancing. The state epidemiologist devised the plan.
Financial Times
Second in a series of conversations about what comes next in local government policies and processes, this time between Geoff Koski and Ben Brown on housing, retail, and broadband
PlaceShakers
Transportation activity is down considerably, but other sources of carbon dioxide are still going strong.
Grist
The coronavirus crisis is highlighting the contributions of cities as well as their vulnerabilities and the planning issues that need to be priorities in the future.
The City Fix
It's the end of the scooter as we know it.
Smart Cities Dive
Among unwelcome lessons of COVID-19 is growing evidence of what was already broken in politics and business. Ben Brown looks at making bold changes in order to improve the lives of the left out and left behind.
PlaceShakers
The fiscal effects of the pandemic are likely to make it very difficult for governments to invest in economic and quality of life improvements for people on the edge of poverty.
Thomson Reuters Foundation
Don’t delude yourself. The likelihood that we attend large conferences and trade shows this year in the same way as before is slim to none.
Iot Times
