World

Global issues, U.N., etc.

Green Streets: Even Better Than Advertised

According to a new research study out of the UK, green streets are much more effective at cutting pollution than previously thought.

August 16, 2012 - THE DIRT

Europeans Have More Cars Than Americans - Say What?

The love affair between Americans and their cars is a well known trope. But according to a new paper from the Carnegie Endowment for International Peace on worldwide car usage, America's car ownership rate is among the lowest in the developed world.

August 16, 2012 - The Atlantic

Navigation or Legibility – Which Way?

August 14, 2012 - Fanis Grammenos

Laws Fail to Keep Up With Efforts to Encourage Biking and Walking

As cities across the world expand their infrastructure to support more bicycle- and pedestrian-friendly environments, outdated laws still support the use of streets by automobiles over people.

August 11, 2012 - Governing

James Hansen: Extreme Weather Linked to Climate Change

NASA scientist James Hansen, considered to be the 'godfather of global warming' has co-authored a new report that shows the connection between 'extreme weather events', such as the drought most of the U.S. is now experiencing, and climate change.

August 7, 2012 - PBS NewsHour

Is Density Inherently Desirable?

Kaid Benfield wades into the density debate by pointing out that density and sprawl can go hand in hand.

August 6, 2012 - Switchboard

Will Engineered Resilience Eclipse Sustainability?

Rives Taylor pens an editorial for Urban Land advocating for "engineered resilience", which he describes as "next-generation sustainability" that "adds adaptability and the protection of human life" to planning for the well-being of the planet.

August 6, 2012 - Urban Land

New Research Suggests Immersive Urban Parks Work Best

Looking to escape the hustle and bustle of the city in your neighborhood park? For a true mental vacation, head for the park with the densest vegetation, writes Eric Jaffe.

August 5, 2012 - The Atlantic Cities

The Community-Building Power of Communal Gardens

Planted to solve a perceived food desert problem, urban gardens are harvesting more than just fresh, nutritious food. Neighborhoods surrounding gardens are seeing surprising declines in violent crime.

August 3, 2012 - Mother Jones

Learning to Love Congestion

August 2, 2012 - John Norquist

You've Got a Friend in Me: Community Development and Health Sectors Working Together

Sixty percent of premature deaths are accounted for not by medical care or lack thereof, but by social circumstances, environmental conditions, and behavioral patterns. So perhaps the medical field on its own can't prevent them.

August 2, 2012 - Shelterforce

Uncovering the History Behind Our Own Homes

Is your home historic? The Atlantic Cities challenges its readers to look at the history behind their own homes, providing a list of 10 things one can do to learn something new about the place we spend most of our time.

August 2, 2012 - The Atlantic Cities

Getting Serious About Resilience in Planning

July 31, 2012 - Kevin C. Desouza

Home, Home on the Bridge

The habitable bridge, "out of favor since the Renaissance," is having a moment, as cities across America seek to "shift the task of mending the urban fabric toward the private sector," reports Henry Grabar.

July 31, 2012 - The Atlantic Cities

Time to Eat the Dog? On the Cost of Casting Judgement

Scott Doyon discusses the dangers of simplification and the counter-intuitive soundbite, which work against the creation of partnerships that are essential to solving some of our biggest challenges.

July 31, 2012 - PlaceShakers

It's Not the Size of the Building That Counts, But How You Use It

In an urbanizing world, density is being recognized for its ability to stimulate the "metabolism of daily life." In an essay for The Wall Street Journal, Richard Florida argues that all density is not created equal, however.

July 31, 2012 - The Wall Street Journal

Temporary Urbanism's Short Shelf Life

London's Olympics are just the most recent example of the growing trend in building temporary architecture and urbanism in response to financial and practical considerations. Christopher Hawthorne asks whether this trend is too short sighted.

July 31, 2012 - Los Angeles Times

A Public-Private Partnership Primer

Sandy Apgar and Tony Canzoneri aim to clear up myths and misconceptions about PPPs (P3s), "the vehicle of choice to plan and execute many development projects that neither private nor public sector participants could perform on their own."

July 30, 2012 - Urban Land

NASA Images Depict Stunning Urban Growth

Animated GIFs provided by The Atlantic Cities show the dramatic growth of several global cities over the past four decades, as captured in photographs taken by NASA's Landsat satellite system.

July 29, 2012 - The Atlantic Cities

Who's Building Livability? And Where?

Several collaborative Google Maps cover Traditional Neighborhood Developments (TNDs) across the US and Canada as well as form-based codes globally. Are yours listed?

July 28, 2012 - PlaceShakers

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.

Comprehensive Bikeway Design Workshop

Transportation Research & Education Center (TREC) at Portland State University

Early Bird Deadline – save on your tuition fee!🚨

Institute for Housing and Urban Development Studies (IHS)

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.