World
Global issues, U.N., etc.
ASLA Creates Sustainability Guide
The American Society of Landscape Architects has released an extensive online guide to resources for sustainable urban development.
Brainstorm: Who Are the Top Urban Thinkers?
Planetizen is creating a list of the most important people who have shaped urban places, and we want to know what you think. Vote on people nominated by the Planetizen community, or suggest your own. The polls close September 7.
The Charter City of Guantánamo Bay?
Economist Paul Romer proposes the creation of new "charter cities", taking uninhabited areas and creating new innovative charters for cities that avoid the burden of national regulations. Guantánamo Bay is an ideal location, he says. (VIDEO)
Free Parking
At a digital security conference in Las Vegas, a presenter showed that newer "smart" parking meters can be hacked, giving the hacker free parking wherever they go.
Oil Crunch Coming
Peak oil will happen at least 10 years earlier than most governments are expecting, and an oil crunch will occur in the next 5 years, says Dr Fatih Birol, chief economist at the International Energy Agency.
The Effects of the Background Noise of City Life
Urban sounds can have an effect on people -- both physically and mentally. This sonic tour through New York City examines how sounds affect urbanites.
'Disaster City' Trains Rescuers for Real-Life Catastrophes
Disasters happen. Being prepared is almost always the ideal, but rarely the reality. A disaster training facility in Texas is trying to change that.
Building for the Multicultural
Builder Fernando Pagés Ruiz discovered by accident that the multicultural groups in his community had special needs that weren't being met.
Cities Without Cars
This slideshow form Mother Nature Network shows seven globa cities that are completely free of cars.
Sewer Robot Frees Up Streets
The Urban Mole is a proposed package delivery robot that uses existing sewer tunnels to deliver packages underground, taking delivery trucks off of the streets.
Visualizing and Analyzing Plans with CityCAD
Planning technology expert Charles A. Donley reviews a new piece of software that combines the worlds of Computer-Aided Design and Geographic Information Systems to help site planners visualize and analyze their plans.
Rybczynski on the History of Airport Architecture
Witold Rybczynski provides an illustrated history of airport architecture on Slate [Slideshow].
Geoengineering the Problem of Climate Change
This piece from The Atlantic looks at the emerging concept of "geoengineering" -- a set ideas that seek solutions to climate change by manipulating the environment.
Connecting the Museum With the Community
Museums are transitioning from niche cultural sites to community hubs, and expanding their engagement with their cities.
Wayfinding in the City
A review of The Wayfinding Handbook: Information Design for Public Places by David Gibson finds it rich with great ideas for designing new systems, but lacking in ideas for fixing old ones.
A Bus-Powering, Rider-Paying Bike Share System
A new city bike sharing design concept not only gives people access to bikes, but also provides power for the local bus system and even pays riders to do it.
Combining Trails and Transit
Cities can expand transit service areas by providing convenient access by bike.
Regions of Water's Future Uncertainty
This interactive map from Good's Water issue highlight seven regions in the world that are likely to experience conflict over water shortages.
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
Institute for Housing and Urban Development Studies (IHS)
City of Grandview
Harvard GSD Executive Education
Regional Transportation Commission of Southern Nevada
Toledo-Lucas County Plan Commissions
