World
Global issues, U.N., etc.
The Legacy of Brasilia
The Atlantic Monthly reviews a new book on architect Oscar Niemeyer and his work that- like the infamous city of Brasilia- "continues to enchant and appall students of architecture and urban planning."
Friday Funny: Creepy Mansions Not Exempt From Housing Market Slump
The recent housing slump is now showing its face in the "creepy mansion" market, where sales have plummeted, according to this article from The Onion.
Zurich, Geneva and Vienna: Best Quality of Life?
Central European cities lead the world in this assessment of 'quality of living.' The survey is oriented towards companies who could locate workers in those countries and need to calculate 'hardship allowances.'
Re-Imagining Suburbs as Towns
This article from City Journal looks at the anti-modernist architect Leon Krier's plan for remaking suburbs into self-contained towns.
Skylines Rising in New Global Cities
Cities across the world are rising higher and beefing up their skylines with high-profile skyscrapers. A building boom in emerging global cities has put a new face on the battle for the best skyline.
Assessing Future Planning Through Film
Film is much more effective than planners or architects at assessing the possible future forms of cities, according to this article from film critic A.O. Scott.
'Instant Cities' Are Instant, But Not Cities
In this article from The New York Times Magazine looks at "instant cities" like Dubai and Shenzhen that have developed in hyperspeed in recent years, and discusses why they aren't yet "real" cities.
Finding Ancient Cities Below the Surface
This slideshow form Popular Science takes a step-by-step look at how to detect and uncover ancient buried settlements from satellite imagery.
A Tour of the World's Best Subways
This slideshow from Wired takes a tour of some of the best subway systems in the world, boasting some of the world's most extravagant stations and efficient commutes.
Fly the Costly Skies
With fill-ups costing close to $70,000 for a transatlantic flight, airlines are facing a grim future.
Weird Energy Sources Debunked
One of the hosts of Mythbusters turns his eye on new ideas for energy sources, from grape juice to used tires.
Will We All Become 'Envirogees'?
Climate change, desertification and resource wars are displacing millions of people, and threaten to turn us all into environmental refugees, warns Scott Thill.
The Possibilities of 'Spime'
Noah Radford of Space Syntax gave an interesting presentation on the possible future of "spimes", objects like bricks that are given self-awareness in space and time (hence, spime) and what such objects might mean for future planning and design.
Earthquakes, Building Codes and the Politics of Architecture
Mark Kingwell observes the sharp -- and deadly -- contrast between shining Shanghai skyscrapers and the poorly-built prefab concrete structures in China's rural areas that proved to be deathtraps in the recent earthquake.
New Bike Racks Thwart Theft
A new design for a public bike rack could help prevent crime.
YouTube Exposing Cities' Traffic Problems
The video website YouTube is home to a growing number of clips that document traffic conditions in cities around the world.
Living Well In The Era Of High Gas Prices
Want to learn how Americans can maintain a high standard of living in an era of sky-high gas prices? Just look at Europeans, who've been going it for decades, argues economist Paul Krugman.
Cars Don't Cause Traffic, Drivers Do
Some planners hope that driverless car technology can finally put an end to traffic jams.
The Newest 'Made In China' Item: Hotels
Hotel operator Travelodge is planning to build pre-fabricated hotels in Shenzhen that can be assembled in locales in need of a short term boost in rooms -- such as Olympic host cities.
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
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