World
Global issues, U.N., etc.
'Urbanism Is the Most Cost-Effective Solution to Climate Change,' says Calthorpe
Phil Langdon reviews Peter Calthorpe's latest, called 'Urbanism in the Age of Climate Change'. Langdon says it is "a densely packed, yet concise overview of the troubling situation we all find ourselves in."
Listening for Landslides
Researchers have developed a new technology to sense the acoustic conditions that indicate oncoming landslides.
Wasted Oil, By Design
This episode of public radio program 99% Invisible looks at oil, and how the way people move from work to home has been seemingly designed to waste fuel.
Burning Man a Dome Zone, But Not Beyond
Buckminster Fuller's geodesic dome housing design is a popular form of housing at the temporary festival Burning Man. But why hasn't a good idea caught on in the mainstream?
Would People Obey Speed Limits If They Were - Fun?
Kevin Richardson came up with a fanciful idea for rewarding good drivers while punishing bad ones: speed cameras could ticket speeders, the money would go into a pot, and good drivers would be selected randomly by the camera to win big money.
A Very High Density Future for Cities
Architect Peter Weingarten discusses the importance of high-rise buildings, and why the future of cities will be very high density.
Replacing Costly Asphalt With Sand
Could sand be the next great paving material? Thomas Kosbau and Andrew Wetzler recently won a design competition in Korea with their idea to combine sand with a bacteria that turns sand to stone.
Poor Ridership = Poor Efficiency
Randal O'Toole argues that transit will never be energy efficient because ridership is never high enough to warrant the energy expelled.
Critiquing The Landscape Urbanism
As landscape urbanists hover in the exalted world of the designer-hero-genius, Emily Talen asks — where are the people?
Five Alternatives to the Mall Worth Looking At
With malls failing around the country, America may want to consider innovative new projects from international sites like Morocco or the Philippines.
Retro Trains of the Future
Popular Science digs through their archives to unearth a collection of fantastical, futuristic trains such as amphibious monorails, suspended railways and "two-headed trains."
Sustainability, Minus the Doom and Gloom
James Way reviews two new books that propose sustainable approaches to architecture that don't dwell in post-oil, post-apocalyptic scenarios to make their point.
Are Smaller Cities Better Equipped for the Future?
Joel Kotkin puts forward the premise that smaller urban regions are more nimble than big cities. Kotkin dubs these smaller cities like Austin, Columbus and Raleigh-Durham "efficient cities."
A Look at the World's Most Walkable Cities
NRDC's Kaid Benfield offers a photographic look at the 10 most walkable cities in the world, as chosen by Frommer's.
Top 10 Books - 2011
Planetizen is pleased to release its ninth annual list of the ten best books in urban planning, design and development published in 2010. This year's selection includes some big names, some big ideas -- and a book called "Toilet."
How To Be a Blind Architect
99% Invisible talks with Chris Downey, an architect who lost his sight three years ago and who continues to work.
Space: 2069
The nonprofit urban planning group SHIFTboston has unveiled the results of their competition to imagine a lunar city that might be feasible by 2069 [slideshow].
When in Doubt, Adapt
Bjorn Lomburg argues that cities should not despair over rising sea levels climate change. Instead, they should adapt.
People Won't Care if They Can't See the Problem
It's kind of hard to tell, on a day-to-day basis, that humankind is drastically affecting the health of the environment -- a reality that makes arguing for sustainability even more difficult, according to Harry West.
Turning Yellow Cabs Green
Cities in the C40 climate leadership group from across the globe are looking into improving taxi services, citing them as key to mobility in urban centers.
Pagination
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.
New York City School Construction Authority
Village of Glen Ellyn
Central Transportation Planning Staff/Boston Region MPO
Chaddick Institute at DePaul University
Institute for Housing and Urban Development Studies (IHS)
City of Grandview
Regional Transportation Commission of Southern Nevada
Toledo-Lucas County Plan Commissions