World

From the mid-19th century to the early 1980s, playgrounds were designed public spaces that would likely horrify parents today. Swiss urban planner Gabriela Burkhalter has studied how these public spaces have evolved over the years.

January 24, 2017 - CityLab

Just because a study says density is more effective than energy system retrofits in reducing emissions, doesn't mean that we have to settle for just one.

January 23, 2017 - Grist

The "Monitoring Global Urban Expansion Program" gathers and analyzes data on 200 cities around the world. The "Atlas of Urban Expansion" presents the program's preliminary results.

January 17, 2017 - Atlas of Urban Expansion

When nature is integrated into urbanism, wellness surges. Hazel Borys looks at the benefits.

January 17, 2017 - PlaceShakers

The concept of the circular economy is starting to take hold on governments and business throughout the world. Peter Moskowitz discusses the various ways the concept is being translated into practical, real-world solutions.

January 11, 2017 - Doggerel

Treepedia is MIT's effort to collect a complete resource on the tree cover of city streets.

January 10, 2017 - CityLab

Walkability and density have been studied closely, and now their worth has been quantified and proven, according to Brent Toderian in a piece for Metro Toronto.

January 6, 2017 - Metro Toronto

Changing demographics and preferences in eldercare have millions planning to age in place, this will have big implications for our communities and our policy makers.

January 6, 2017 - CityLab

Plans that focus on giving funds to renters and home buyers won't make housing affordable, and can inflate housing prices and rents.

January 6, 2017 - City Observatory

Demographic change means older city dwellers. Entrepreneurs and developers are searching for better ways to serve this community.

January 4, 2017 - The Guardian

European cities have taken a proactive role in regulating Airbnb.

January 4, 2017 - Quartz

It's been 500 years since Thomas More penned his classic Utopia. With the benefit of hindsight, Los Angeles area planner, Jodie Sackett, reviews some of the key ingredients More believed necessary for a utopian society.

January 2, 2017 - UrbDeZine

All good transit wonks have an opinion on proof of payment.

January 1, 2017 - Wired

Mass timber is called the first new way to construct tall buildings in 100 years.

December 30, 2016 - New York Magazine

The idea that 2016 was an unequivocally and uniformly bad year is getting thrown around very casually these days. Here are a few reasons for why that narrative is overstated.

December 29, 2016 - The Washington Post

Dezeen presents a not-so-humble list of the ten best skyscrapers opened to the public in 2016.

December 20, 2016 - Dezeen

No Electoral College needed: these were the most popular Planetizen posts from the year 2016.

December 19, 2016 - James Brasuell

Men are often overrepresented in consultations about how city facilities are built. To account for this, planners need to seek out women's comments and look for ways to better serve them, argues Alexander Starritt.

December 18, 2016 - Fast Co.Exist

Compared to nominees for cabinet positions that deal with energy and the environment, Rex Tillerson, Trump's choice for Secretary of State, appears to be the only 'climate believer' even though he heads America's largest oil and gas corporation.

December 17, 2016 - The Washington Post - Energy and Environment

Resilience is commonly understood as the capacity to endure shocks and stresses. But for Lisa Dickson, Arup’s resilience leader for the Americas, this definition is too limiting. Jeff Byles talks with her about five key lessons on resilience.

December 15, 2016 - Doggerel