World

Global issues, U.N., etc.

Paved rural road in developing country with water on either side.

‘Green Roads for Water’ Meshes Transportation With Water Conservation

Simple, sometimes ancient designs can transform roadways into environmental conservation tools.

December 29, 2023 - Wired

Close-up of technician wearing gloves installing photovoltaic solar panel.

The Year in Good Climate News

Despite the ups and downs, there are reasons to feel optimistic.

December 28, 2023 - CNN

View of Seattle skyline on clear sunny day with Space Needle on left and Mount Rainier in the background.

Seattle to Host 2024 Urban Parks Conference

In June 2024, City Parks Alliance, in partnership with Seattle Parks and Recreation, will hold the Greater & Greener conference, which will include a mix of indoor sessions and outdoor experiences focusing on urban parks.

December 27, 2023 - City Parks Alliance

White flag with COP28 cliamte conference logo against lightly cloudy blue sky.

COP28: Beginning of the End for Fossil Fuels?

A deal came together “quickly and unexpectedly" on the final night of the nearly 2-week United Nations climate talks in Dubai, UAE, according to a series of articles by Washington Post climate reporters.

December 20, 2023 - The Washington Post

Close-up of hand scrolling through text website on tablet lying on table.

Planetizen’s Top Posts of 2023

The most-read articles on Planetizen in 2023.

December 14, 2023 - Diana Ionescu

Colorful murals in freeway underpass in San Diego's Chicano Park.

Opinion: Enhancing Inclusive Development: The Crucial Role of the Creative Class in Urban Planning

How bringing local artists into the development process can foster more vibrant, equitable neighborhoods.

December 11, 2023 - Wells Davis

Aerial view of industrial plant with large smokestacks, surrounded by smoke with sunset sky in background.

COP28: Will Developed Nations Reduce Emissions?

Tensions between developed and developing nations surfaced over emissions and energy, with the former focused on reducing fossil fuels and the latter pointing to unrealized emissions reductions from the nations most responsible for global warming.

December 6, 2023 - The Wall Street Journal

Elevated view of five windcatcher ventilation towers on rooftops in Yazd, Iran.

How Design Can Help Mitigate Extreme Heat

To prepare for hotter summers, designers and architects can build resilience into the urban environment.

December 6, 2023 - Sheba Ross

Ground-up view of man using wheelchair waiting to board a light blue bus.

Commentary: Avoiding Ableism in 15-Minute Cities

One author calls on planners to challenge assumptions that exclude people with mobility challenges and other disabilities.

November 21, 2023 - The Conversation

Close-up of bike handlebars with smart phone showing Strava app in handlebar holder. Green grass in background.

How Strava Metro Data Inform Planning and Decision-Making

Strava just announced the ten-year anniversary of Metro, a proprietary web platform that provides data insights to partner organizations to make active transportation better for cyclists and pedestrians.

November 20, 2023 - Strava Press

Silhouette of woman in long coat walking on darkened city street alone at night, passing brightly lit sotrefront.

Designing Safer Cities

For women and other vulnerable groups, navigating the urban space can be fraught with real and perceived dangers.

November 19, 2023 - The Conversation

Group of children running outdoors toward camera.

Designing Cities With Youth in Mind

The car-centric design of many U.S. cities traps young people at home, preventing them from engaging in social activities and urban life.

November 16, 2023 - CNU Public Square

Green trees reflected in high-rise skyscrapers.

Urban Design for Sustainability

The way we build cities can have significant impacts on public health and equity.

November 16, 2023 - Colorado Newsline

Underground parking garage full of parked cars.

An Untapped Energy Source: Underground Garages

A European study measured ambient air and groundwater temperatures in underground parking garages and found that the heat generated by these structures could potentially power thousands of households.

November 14, 2023 - Anthropocene Magazine

Road sign with EXTREME HEAT ALERT surrounded by orange traffic cones

How Extreme Heat Impacts Heart Health

A higher number of high heat days correlates with more cardiovascular deaths, according to new research.

November 6, 2023 - Wired

Two women walking on wide walkway among large trees next to neoclassical building in Cologne, Germany.

How Urban Design Impacts Public Health

With more and more people living in cities, designing equitably healthy urban spaces becomes a key question for policymakers.

November 1, 2023 - Wired

Large blue metal dumpster container in front of wood-frame house under construction.

Bringing Circularity to the Construction Industry

Using more recycled materials could dramatically reduce carbon emissions and waste from construction projects.

October 29, 2023 - Bloomberg CityLab

Side-by-side images of a bike share station and a bus-only lane.

Vehicle Miles Traveled as a Metric for Sustainability

Motor vehicle travel benefits users but also imposes large economic, social, and environmental costs. With better planning, our needs can be met with less vehicle travel. A new ITE report describes why and how to optimize the amount we drive.

October 24, 2023 - Vehicle-Miles Traveled as a Metric for Sustainability

Womanin yellow jacket sitting on bench at outdoor train station with red wood depot building at night.

Turning a Gendered Lens on Transportation

People of different genders, ages, and abilities experience transportation differently. But policies aren’t designed that way.

October 23, 2023 - Streetsblog USA

Single oil derrick on dry prairie with faded blue sky in background.

Do Environmentalists Confuse Oil Production With Oil Demand?

Samantha Gross, the director of the Energy Security and Climate Initiative at the Brookings Institution, argues that the key to reducing emissions is to do the hard work of reducing oil demand rather than focusing on ending U.S. oil drilling.

October 22, 2023 - Brookings Institution

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HUD's Office of Policy Development and Research

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HUD's Office of Policy Development and Research

Top Books

An annual review of books related to planning.

Top Websites

The best of the Internet—since 2002.

Top Apps

Planning apps for a brave new world.

Top Schools

The definitive ranking of graduate planning programs.

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.