World
Global issues, U.N., etc.
Recognizing and Addressing Safety Issues for Women in Cities
Safety is a major concern for the world's women on a day-to-day basis. From riding the bus to walking at night, if women don't feel safe, they won't do it. Cities need to take a more active role in addressing this challenge, according to this post.
The Agora from Athens to Atlanta: Public Space as Marketplace, Park and Center of Urban Life
The popularity of the agora, or central marketplace, has waxed and waned throughout the centuries. Park designer Richard Light looks back at the history and meaning of the agora from Ancient Greece to today.
Productivity Through Density
People naturally want to be near each other, which some suggest is one explanation for the increasing urbanization and densification of the world. Edward L. Glaeser argues that the information-based economy will push that trend even further.
The Rise of Soft Infrastructure
Infrastructure is undeniably important to our cities and places, but a new kind of infrastructure -- soft infrastructure -- is becoming increasingly important.
Solution for Shrinking Cities: Art and Parks
After unification, many East German towns began losing jobs and population. In 2003, the government formed a group to study how these cities could best recover. The results are in.
Art and the Built Environment
Artist Roberto Mollá finds inspiration in the urbanity of Tokyo, and the isolation of city life.
Cable Cars See Increased Usage As Transit In Developing World
Low-cost, high capacity urban gondolas and cable cars are being successfully used as public transit and tools of urban revitalization in Colombia, Algeria and other parts of the developing world.
How the Internet is Improving Your Walkshed
Worldchanging's Alex Steffen reflects on the increasing impact of Internet-enabled information sharing at the community level, and suggests that it's helping to make neighborhoods more walkable.
The Future of the Urban Biking Experience
Treehugger lists five of the coming innovations that experts expect to revolutionize urban bicycling.
Global Leaders Discuss the Mutual Challenges of Urbanization
The recent World Urban Forum in Brazil attracted media from around the world, but surprisingly few from the U.S. But as Neal Peirce writes, that doesn't mean the U.S. government wasn't involved.
The Evolution of GIS
Thomas L. Millette looks back at how far GIS has come, and how it has become an essential tool for urban planning.
How Fungi Can Restore the Land
Mycologist Paul Stamets believes that mycelium, a fungi, could be integral to restoring damaged soil, repairing habitats, and even cleaning brownfields.
What Can A Planner Learn From 2 Hours on Chatroulette?
Jennifer Evans-Cowley, Phd, AICP, spends a couple of hours exploring the phenomenon that is chatroulette.com. Chatroulette sets you up to videochat with a complete stranger. Are there applications for the future of public participation in planning?
Land Use, Transportation and the World Cup in South Africa
Nate Berg reports on the effects of the upcoming World Cup in South Africa. Will the stadia be built on time? And what will be the impact on after they're built?
4/1 Funny: "Demographer Today" Magazine Targets Demographers
Audio advertisement from The Onion highlights how the new magazine "Demographer Today" will present data about people for people interested in data about people.
Here Comes the Sun...and it's Not Alright
A recent report from NASA outlined the threat solar storms pose to Earth-based electrical and communications systems, and warned that the social and economic disruptions could be catastrophic.
A Toolkit to Improve the Slums of Brazil
Brazilian slums represent huge segments of the country's urban population, especially in Sao Paulo. Upgrading them into economically sustainable segments of the city is a challenge, but a new toolkit offers a path to success.
The Design Challenge of Cities
With increasing urbanization spreading throughout global cities, Justin McGuirk argues that city design is the biggest challenge acing designers.
Renewable Energy Convergence
One source of renewable energy isn't going to cut it; the future is in using multiple sources, and even combining them in a single power plant, says blogger jnshere.
Travel for Planners Not A "Junket"
Cities often get criticized for sending staff to check out other cities, but Tim Campbell says it's necessary for planners to see what other cities are doing.
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.
Smith Gee Studio
City of Charlotte
City of Camden Redevelopment Agency
City of Astoria
Transportation Research & Education Center (TREC) at Portland State University
US High Speed Rail Association
City of Camden Redevelopment Agency
Municipality of Princeton (NJ)
