World
Global issues, U.N., etc.
New Software Can Distinguish a City's DNA
Jacob Aron reports on the promising new software developed by an international group of researchers that can recognize "what makes Paris look like Paris."
What is the Surest Way to Increase Transit Ridership?
Eric Jaffe discusses findings reported in the upcoming issue of Transport Policy that compare the relative effectiveness of subsidizing fares, regulating auto use, and expanding systems to increase transit ridership.
Earth at the Precipice
A new paper by a group of international scientists warns that the planet may be at the tipping point of causing a rapid irreversible transition to a "state unknown in human experience," reports Bettina Boxall
New Global Environmental Performance Rankings Released
The Dirt reports on findings disclosed by this year's iteration of the Yale and Columbia University produced Environmental Performance Index (EPI). A new metric unveiled this year tracks the trend in each country's environmental performance.
New Video Game Explores Susceptibility of Smart Cities
The fact that cities are becoming more technologically reliant and interconnected is good, right? But, what happens if the controls of the "smart city" fall into the wrong hands? A new video game explores such a scenario, writes Nate Berg.
What Drives People?
Hazel Borys argues that "the payback of livable places really can’t be calculated in dollars, or pounds of fat or carbon, or even hours. The payback of place is passion."
Is Urban Desegregation Finally Possible?
According to Carl H. Nightingale, urban centers have been racially divided since Mesopotamia. However global organizations and demographic changes are making the possibility of increased integration a reality.
Cities Frown Upon Air Conditioned Sidewalks
As the Summer months heat up, Sarah Laskow reports on cities' efforts to keep retailers' doors closed.
How Green Do You Want To Get?
Elizabeth Daigneau looks at the various ways in which cities and counties can earn eco-certification, including everything from "the roads they build to the vehicles that ride on them."
Beer Bikes: Coming Soon to America
As European bike culture spreads across America, get ready for the next import from Amsterdam - the Beer Bike.
Building Typology as One Solution to Visualizing and Embracing Density
While raw density numbers are sure to pick a fight, discussing character-based building typologies one neighborhood at a time may help find common ground.
Is Alienation from the Natural World Harming Our Health?
Joel Kato speaks with Richard Louv, author and founding chairman of The Children and Nature Network, about his new book and how 'nature-deficit disorder' is making us fat, sick, and depressed.
Will Urbanization Be a Global Health Boon or Hindrance?
A new report released this week seeks to address whether the "urban health advantage" can be extended to more of the world’s population as cities continue to grow in the coming decades, reports Katherine Harmon.
Could Fractals Provide the Secret to Designing Optimal Cities?
Michael Mehaffy and Nikos Salingaros explore the application of fractal structures to the design of the built environment, and why they believe they hold the key to improving our understanding of and appreciation for our cities.
The Biggest Challenge Facing the Century of the City
Whether we've embarked on a new era of global urbanization is indisputable. The ability of architects to design attractive and humane high-rise towers to house the urban masses, however, is open to discussion, writes Sarah Williams Goldhagen.
How Well do You Know the World?
The Atlantic offers a brain teaser tailor made for the readers of Planetizen.
What Income Inequality Looks Like From Space
Tim De Chant compares satellite images of neighborhoods from cities around the world to see if inequality is manifest in the patterns of the landscape. The differences are striking.
Shoring up the Disappearing Public Realm
As libraries and and post offices are replaced by private development while streets and sidewalks lack funding, what can be done to enliven the public realm?
Maximizing the Metro
Looking for a long read this long weekend? Check out Bruce Katz and Jennifer Bradley's article on the keys to creating collaborative metropolitan areas that can successfully compete in the global economy.
Friday Eye Candy: Earth at 121-Megapixels
For your holiday weekend delight, we bring you some astonishing HD time-lapse videos of Earth taken from a Russian weather satellite.
FREE Course: Walkable City 1: Why Walkability?
After describing his path towards focusing on walkability as the essence of good planning, Jeff Speck marches through his five principal reasons for making more walkable places.
Reinventing Malls: Planning Alchemy—Turning Gray Fields Into Gold
The course focuses on the opportunities and imperatives that shape reinvention of mall sites.
City of Rosemead
Rutgers University, Edward J. Bloustein School of Planning and Public Policy
One Hundred Miles
University of Michigan School for Environment and Sustainability (SEAS)
Hunter College, City University of New York (CUNY)
The Architects Foundation
City of Cambridge
Montrose County
The Pocatello Development Authority
