World

Global issues, U.N., etc.

Empty Parking Lot

As a Driverless Future Dawns, Should We Still Build Parking?

No one is really sure how many parking spots the United States contains, but estimates stretch up to 2 billion.

May 23, 2017 - Doggerel

Design Library: African-American Perspectives on Architecture

Focusing on the often-overlooked contributions of people of color to the built environment, Dr. Craig Wilkins from the University of Michigan shares his list of recommended reading.

May 22, 2017 - Doggerel

China Bridge

China Exporting its Infrastructure Expertise

China is building roads, tunnels, planning trains and power plants outside its borders to bolster its influence.

May 17, 2017 - New York Times

Tailpipe

Inadequate Diesel Vehicle Testing Results in 38,000 Global Fatalities Annually

While the study stems from research that found Volkswagen diesel cars had used 'defeat devices' to pass emissions tests, the new study points to inadequacies in the tests themselves, resulting in 50 percent higher pollution than testing permits.

May 17, 2017 - The International Council on Clean Transportation

When You live at 78ºN, You Become an Expert in Everything

Christin Kristoffersen, former mayor of Longyearbyen, talks about the challenges and adventures of daily life in the Arctic Circle, and the growing impact of climate change.

May 17, 2017 - Cities of the Future

Hurricane Sandy

Mapping the Future of Extreme Weather Events

The ability to predict severe weather events would be a huge benefit to planners, preparing for a new era of resilience. A new study sheds new light on how much rain we can expect, and where, on a warmer planet.

May 16, 2017 - MIT News

Seattle

CNU 25 Seattle: Highlights from the Silver Anniversary

A summary of last week's events in Seattle: CNU 25 and ULI, written by Hazel Borys.

May 10, 2017 - PlaceShakers

Washington D.C.

The Other Cyclists

In arguments about how to construct transit and infrastructure, the voice of the poverty-stricken cyclist is rarely heard.

May 9, 2017 - Strong Towns

Jane's Walk

The 'Jane's Walk' Tradition Continues

In honor of the pioneering urbanist, who would have been 101 years old this week, citizens are organizing "Jane's Walks" in cities across the globe.

May 2, 2017 - The Boston Globe

Miami Temperature

Designing for Heat Waves

Climate change means cities around the world will have to deal with a growing number of heat waves.

May 1, 2017 - Pacific Standard

Google Self-Driving Car

More Changes Coming for Transportation

Even as cars and commuter planes look much like they did generations ago, big changes are coming for transportation, argues Timothy B. Lee in a piece for Vox.

May 1, 2017 - Vox

Roman Forum

Top Twitter Feeds for 2017

Make Twitter great, for once.

April 30, 2017 - James Brasuell

Friday Eye Candy: Winning Images of Urbanization and Migration

The Penn Institute for Urban Research, in collaboration with Perry World House, is pleased to announce the winner of its 2017 photo contest on the theme of urbanization and migration.

April 28, 2017 - Penn IUR

Is Placemaking a 'New Environmentalism'?

Like music, environmentalism's tenets evolved from precedent, and Kaid Benfield hopes they are evolving still.

April 28, 2017 - PlaceShakers

United Nations Taking First Steps Toward the New Urban Agenda

Some of the big work left undone by the Habitat III summit in finalizing the New Urban Agenda in December is now moving forward. The future of the New Urban Agenda and UN-Habitat can now start to take shape.

April 26, 2017 - Citiscope

Helping the homeless

Homeless Tourism

In cities like Prague and London, tourists can take tours guided by homeless guides.

April 23, 2017 - The Guardian

Washington D.C. - The White House

Next White House Struggle: Whether to Exit the Paris Climate Agreement

Ending Obama's so-called "war on coal" may go international with the exit from the December 2015 Paris Climate Agreement if EPA Administrator Scott Pruitt has his way, but he may encounter formidable opposition from Trump's administration and family.

April 18, 2017 - The Washington Post - Energy and Environment

Pokemon

A Few Ideas for Planning and Governance in the Digital Age

The Guardian samples prominent examples of digital natives bringing new expectations for the use of technology to the public sector.

April 11, 2017 - The Guardian

Shishmaref

Managed Retreat from Sea Level Rise

Coastal communities are battling the near certain rising sea levels. As a result, many are faced with the choice to stay and rebuild their homes or begin the process of "managed retreat" away from vulnerable coastal areas.

April 4, 2017 - WBUR

The Venetian

Sunday Fun: Spot the Real Architectural Icon Amidst the Fakes

Ersatz versions of architectural icons like the Eiffel Tower, the London Bridge, or the Statue of Liberty are popping up around the world. Are you ready to test your skills in parsing the real from the fake?

April 2, 2017 - The Guardian

FREE Course: Walkable City 1: Why Walkability?

After describing his path towards focusing on walkability as the essence of good planning, Jeff Speck marches through his five principal reasons for making more walkable places.

Reinventing Malls: Planning Alchemy—Turning Gray Fields Into Gold

The course focuses on the opportunities and imperatives that shape reinvention of mall sites.

Top Books

An annual review of books related to planning.

Top Schools

The definitive ranking of graduate planning programs.

100 Most Influential Urbanists

The who's who of urbanism, according to Planetizen readers.

Urban Planning Creators You Should Know

A short list of voices on social, video, and podcasting platforms.