World

Global issues, U.N., etc.

Motorists have OPEC to Thank for Lowest Oil Prices in Five Years

American motorists are enjoying the lowest gasoline prices in five years because OPEC chose not to reduce oil output in the hopes that decreased oil prices will be lower than the cost needed to frack oil from shale.

December 2, 2014 - Vox

New York Housing

Interview: Edward Glaeser Makes the Case for Cities

In a lengthy discussion shared by Marquette University, author and Harvard Economics Professor Ed Glaeser lays out the thinking behind his book "Triumph of the City," as exemplified by cities around the country and the world.

December 2, 2014 - Medium

Top Books

10 Novels for Your Urbanist Reading List

Looking for an urbanist reading list that drops the non in non-fiction? Look no further.

December 1, 2014 - Next City

Cyber Monday: A Placemaker's Case for Character-Rich Retail

As the shopping season begins, can the satisfaction associated with little shops cause us to be resilient and spend a little less? Maybe we should ease up on our zoning restrictions, and at least make it possible.

December 1, 2014 - PlaceShakers

Connecting the Dots between Architecture and Real Estate

Architecture and real estate often fail to recognize their inexorable connections. A new website draws out the themes linking the two fields.

November 29, 2014 - The Architect's Newspaper

Stahl House Los Angeles

Renewing the Idea of a Linear City

A Treehugger column picks up on the historic idea of the "Linear City" as a counter point to the current pressures to build up in cities around the world.

November 29, 2014 - Treehugger

The Urban Water Blueprint Extends Well Beyond the City

A new project by the Nature Conservancy maps the impact of natural infrastructure—often found well outside the city limits—on urban water supplies.

November 28, 2014 - Next City

Friday Eye Candy: A Colorful Weather Visualization for Urban Weather

Part infographic and part diary, the weather radials project tracks the weather for every day in 2013.

November 28, 2014 - The Washington Post - Wonkblog

Friday Funny: Trolling the World's Landmark Buildings

Some people just can't find beauty any where in the world—even while visiting the world's most iconic buildings.

November 28, 2014 - Citymetric

Flying Car

This Flying Car Could Hit the Market by 2017

Bloomberg reports that the dream vehicle of commuters everywhere—a flying car—might be available on the market within three years.

November 26, 2014 - Bloomberg

New York Skyline Fisheye

London School of Economics: Cities Should Adopt '3C Model' for Growth

A report from the London School of Economics focuses on the growth of cities around the world between 2012 and 2030, proposing a "3C model" for growth to ensure economic prosperity and to limit emissions.

November 26, 2014 - LSE Cities

Control Room

A Dissenting Take on Smart Cities from Rem Koolhaas

A post on the European Commission website provides an edited transcript of a presentation by Rem Koolhaas in which the starchitect and author offers a scathing take on the ill effects of smart cities.

November 26, 2014 - European Commission

The New Whistleblower: Using Satellite Images to Spot Environmental Damage

West Virginia-based SkyTruth is culling satellite and aerial images to blow the whistle on unreported damage to the environment.

November 24, 2014 - Fusion

Selling Urbanism: Don’t be an Aristarchus

As urban planners, we must not only innovate, but make our innovations count in the marketplace of ideas. We must make the benefits of livability easily understood, with a clear path for making them happen. Scott Doyon encourages rooted innovation.

November 21, 2014 - PlaceShakers

workspace

16 Online Tools And Resources for More Productive Planners

You manage multiple projects, plans, and engagement processes. You collaborate with colleagues, partners, and stakeholders. You report to your boss, council and the public. Is there a way to wring some productivity to get more done?

November 20, 2014 - Civicly

The Human Dimension of the Physical City

In his latest two contributions from the south of France, Chuck Wolfe reminds urbanists of the backdrop of the human dimension of affinity, conversation and daily rituals that stand behind the physical, human scale.

November 18, 2014 - The Huffington Post

Study Complicates Relationship of Population Growth, Emissions Reduction

More people translates to more emissions, right? Cut back on population growth and you'll reduce emissions and the threat of climate change, along with other environmental woes—it's a no-brainer. Or is it?

November 16, 2014 - The Washington Post - Wonkblog

Glasgow

The Undeniable Urbanism of the 'Plot'

According to researchers and practitioners in the United Kingdom, there's still room for another urbanism. Chuck Wolfe digests the recent Summit on Plot-Based Urbanism from Glasgow.

November 14, 2014 - myurbanist

Rådhuset Station

Friday Eye Candy: The Most Beautiful Metro Stations in the World

John Benjamin rounded up stunning images of the most beautiful subway stations from all around the world.

November 14, 2014 - Urbanful

A stream of mobile apps

How to Choose the Right Social Media Network for Your Planning Project

By now most planners agree that, in general, projects that don’t directly and negatively affect people, don’t generate a lot of public discussion. And residents who show up at public meetings tend to be the same characters weeks after weeks.

November 13, 2014 - Civicly

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.

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.