World

Global issues, U.N., etc.

Turning an Eye on Big Brother

Ever wonder just how many prying eyes are watching you as you amble down a city street? A new app seeks to develop a comprehensive catalog of Big Brother's presence by documenting the locations of security cameras covering a city's public spaces.

June 17, 2013 - Fast Company Co.Exist

Where’s the Heat Going? Global Warming Lull Befuddles Scientists

Despite record levels of greenhouse gas emissions, global surface temperatures have risen at a much slower rate over the past 15 years than the 20 years prior. Scientists are struggling to explain a warming plateau.

June 17, 2013 - The New York Times

Elite Citadels: The Global Growth of the Gated City

Gated communities were once confined to specific neighborhoods or suburban areas, but as the global financial sector grows, entire cities are becoming gated enclaves where the 'one per cent' network and drive national policies, says Simon Kuper.

June 17, 2013 - The Financial Times

Shanghai Maglev

Surveying the World's Fastest Trains, and a Possible New Entry to the List

The Telegraph compiles a list of the fastest train trips in the world, from the 90 minute journey from Brussels to Paris at 186 miles per hour to Shanghai's 268 mile per hour maglev train. A new service is poised to join them.

June 16, 2013 - The Telegraph

Hong Kong Towers

The Case for Hyperdensity

On Places, Vishaan Chakrabarti argues that the hyperdense city is more prosperous, equitable, ecological and delightful — and vital to America's strength as a nation.

June 16, 2013 - Places Journal

5 Pointz New York

Are Cities Killing Their Creative Edge in the Quest for More Revenue?

As the world's centers of business and politics compete to create ever more lucrative commercial and residential zones, creative spaces are being razed and redeveloped. Is the ability to nurture creativity and diversity being lost in the process?

June 15, 2013 - Urban Times

Can a New Exhibition Burnish the Reputation of an Architect Reviled by Planners?

An exhibition opening at the Museum of Modern Art this weekend presents a comprehensive review of the career of Le Corbusier, one of the most influential and controversial architects of the 20th Century. How will it change perceptions of his work?

June 15, 2013 - The Atlantic Cities

Google Faces

Friday Eye Candy: Is That Mountain Range Staring at Me?

Google Faces is a fun, and slightly freaky, project that plays off of humans' penchant for seeing faces in everything by testing if a computer could do the same.

June 14, 2013 - Wired

Why Bike Share is a Boon to the Safety of All Cyclists

Counter to the predictions of mass chaos due to inexperienced riders being unleashed on city streets, the launch of bike-sharing in New York and elsewhere increases safety for all cyclists.

June 14, 2013 - The New York Times

The Enduring Allure of Urban Environments

Even if the swelling modern metropolis doesn't reflect the gleaming city of science fiction, Edwin Heathcote finds much to be optimistic about with regard to the future of cities on a rapidly urbanizing planet.

June 14, 2013 - The Financial Times

LEED-ND Proves Effective at Reducing Driving

Using complex transportation modeling, new research published in the Journal of Planning Education and Research confirms that developments built to the standards of LEED for Neighborhood Development (LEED-ND) reduce driving and associated emissions.

June 13, 2013 - NRDC Switchboard Blog

Graduation Ceremony

Graduating Into the Workplace: Perspectives from Recent Planning Grads

As a new cohort of young planners prepares to enter the field, more than a dozen recent graduates share their insights on how to make the most of a planning education and navigate one of the most challenging job environments in recent memory.

June 12, 2013 - Erica Gutiérrez

A Streetcar to Desire: An Argument for Converting Roads to Rails

Terra Nova author Eric W. Sanderson builds a refreshingly wonky case for a modern streetcar revival.

June 12, 2013 - Places Journal

How Much of the World's Urbanization is Being Driven by Overseas Land Acquisitions?

Since 2006, agro-businesses, hedge-funds, financial firms, and government agencies have splurged on an overseas land-buying binge. As Saskia Sassen explains, such purchases disrupt the status quo, forcing local residents to migrate to cities.

June 11, 2013 - The Guardian

Coal Mining and Power Station

4 Measures Could Help Stave Off the Worst Effects of Global Warming

A new report from the International Energy Agency has some sobering news about the planet's record setting carbon emissions. But it also identifies four policy recommendations that could help stave off warming in excess of the dreaded 2°C mark.

June 10, 2013 - The Washington Post

The Architectural Image: Who's Fooling Whom?

The architectural image is the currency of contemporary architecture. It's the means by which projects are envisioned, sold, and judged. But is the quest for the perfect image harming Architecture?

June 8, 2013 - Arch Daily

Augmented Architecture: The Ultimate Expression of Function Over Form?

Zachary Edelson speculates on the ways in which Google Glass, and other augmented reality elements, will change the way we experience architecture and our environments.

June 5, 2013 - Architizer

Abandonment, Authenticity, and Transgressive Placemaking

Kelly Bennett writes on the connections between authentic places, abandonment, and a new wave of placemaking.

June 5, 2013 - Citiography

Google Blimps to Bring Internet Access to Remote Regions

With the privacy concerns that've arisen with its questionable data gathering, many people are unlikely to welcome the idea of a Google blimp floating overhead. But the billion people the company wants to connect to the Internet may feel differently.

June 4, 2013 - The Wall Street Journal

Visualizing Global Greenhouse Gas Emissions

A new infographic shows in elegant detail exactly how much individual sources and sectors contribute to global greenhouse gas emissions. Brad Plumer parses the data.

June 1, 2013 - The Washington Post

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.