World

Global issues, U.N., etc.

Monte Rosa Hut

The World's Most Non-Urban Settlements

From an underwater laboratory located in the U.S. Virgin Islands to a research station built on a 10,500-foot high ice plateau in Antarctica, Gizmodo has assembled the "20 loneliest outposts at the end of the world."

February 11, 2013 - Gizmodo

How Playboy Pushed the Pleasures of Modern Design

A new exhibition at the NAiM/Bureau Europa, in the Netherlands, examines the debt of gratitude that designers such as Mies van der Rohe, John Lautner, and George Nelson owe to the men's magazine for its promotion of the design trends of the day.

February 11, 2013 - Fast Company Co.Design

To Reduce Urban Poverty, Empower

Offering a list of policy innovations in several emerging mega-cities, URB.im managing editor Josephine d’Allant argues for empowerment over charity in the battle to improve conditions for the urban poor.

February 11, 2013 - Huffington Post

Is Bloomberg to Thank for New Yorkers' Increasing Life Expectancies?

New Yorkers can expect to live eight years longer than they could just 20 years ago. Do Mayor Bloomberg's policies and initiatives deserve some credit? A mounting body of evidence ties urban form to human health.

February 10, 2013 - The Guardian

Aberdeen Charrette

Friday Funny: Planners Pointing

A new Tumblr site has been created to collect images of the most essential technique known to plan. In the three days since it's launched, "Planners Pointing" has gathered more than a dozen shots of planners in action.

February 8, 2013 - Planners Pointing

man looking at computer screen

Keeping Up with the Field: Computerized Tools for Tracking Research and New Ideas

Urban planning professionals and researchers increasingly face information overload. Todd BenDor and Rob Goodspeed suggest three techniques for strategically monitoring the web for new research and ideas.

February 5, 2013 - Todd BenDor

A Mobile Encyclopedia of Place

An announcement last week indicates that Wikipedia will become the newest player in the increasingly competitive effort to connect virtual information with physical places.

February 5, 2013 - The Atlantic Cities

The World's Most Expensive Cities

The Economist Intelligence Unit has released its list of the world's most expensive cities. Not one city from North America cracks the top twenty.

February 5, 2013 - CNN

Advanced Graphics Illustrate the World's Extreme Infrastructure

Mike Senese spotlights a new television program on the Science Channel that uses innovative graphics to examine how the world's cities have been built to overcome the challenges of their natural environments and serve their citizens.

February 5, 2013 - Wired

Artist Envisions the Elusive Pleasures of Urban Stargazing

Unless a catastrophic natural disaster strikes your city (we're not hoping it does), the chances of being able to gaze upon the wonders of the cosmos from an urban perch are slim. Thierry Cohen provides a glimpse of the night sky without pollution.

February 4, 2013 - The New York Times

Does America Fumble International Development?

An infographic from the U.S. Global Leadership Coalition compares U.S. development and aid spending to the annual Super Bowl splurge on ads, food, and security.

February 3, 2013 - The Washington Post

SimCity 2013

Grid vs Cul-de-Sac: Using SimCity to Test Development Patterns

Norman Chan uses a beta version of the new SimCity game to test the merits of three familiar types of suburban subdivision design - a rectangular grid, circular sprawl, and cul-de-sacs.

January 31, 2013 - Tested.com

Placemaking Is About More Than Just 'Cool Urban Amenities'

Brendan Crain responds to recent criticism of placemaking as a counterproductive and superficial pursuit with a defense of the social and economic capital building elements that are the foundation, and outcome, of the process.

January 31, 2013 - PPS: Placemaking Blog

Wood-framed Storefront

Picturing Ten Urban Qualities Important for Every City

Writing in The Atlantic Cities, Chuck Wolfe provides ten illustrated examples of enjoyable environments that reflect an evolving recognition for the qualitative aspects of the urban experience.

January 30, 2013 - The Atlantic Cities

Community Dynamics: Stoking or Choking Collective Planning Efforts?

Does your community allow the perfect to become the enemy of the good? Scott Doyon kicks off an ongoing look at community-unfriendly behaviors.

January 29, 2013 - PlaceShakers

30 Must-See Architecture Documentaries

As Oscar season approaches, Arch Daily has gathered a list of "30 of the best Architecture Documentaries which will provoke, intrigue and beguile in 2013."

January 29, 2013 - Arch Daily

Re-Positioning Cities at the Core of Global Trade

Recalling the structure of ancient trade hubs, the Brookings Institute’s Alan Berube calls for local and national policies to once again place cities at the center of international trading strategies.

January 29, 2013 - Project Syndicate

Duany Details the "New, New Urbanism"

At the CNU-FL statewide meeting held last week, Andrés Duany articulated his vision for how planning must adapt to the new realities of "national impoverishment" and climate change by utilizing the tools of tactical urbanism, writes Erin Chantry.

January 28, 2013 - Helm of the Public Realm

Stop Segregating the Rich! Fighting Displacement Fights Crime

Isolating poor residents from rich ones is not only bad for those being segregated, it leads to the worst outcomes for a city as a whole. Fighting displacement results in less crime and more stable and healthy communities.

January 28, 2013 - Rooflines

To Serve a Growing Market, Car-Share Goes Custom

Stephanie Steinberg and Bill Vlasic survey the growing universe of car-sharing services. From big corporations to non-profits, the high demand for car sharing in urban areas allows a variety of alternatives to "coexist comfortably."

January 28, 2013 - The New York Times

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.