World

Global issues, U.N., etc.

Protesting Snowmen

Christmas Funny: Snowmen Protest Global Warming

On this winter holiday, it's important to remind each other of the overlooked victims of global warming: the world's snowmen and snowwomen. Read this classic, but no less relevant, story from the satirical newspaper The Onion.

December 25, 2013 - The Onion

Reaching the Limits of Passionate Defense: Time to Turn Back

Ben Brown confronts the politics of NO and finds -- spoiler alert(!) -- "to score, you need to shoot, and to shoot, you need the puck." Welcome to the waning days of Passionate D.

December 22, 2013 - PlaceShakers

Friday Eye Candy: The Surreal Architecture of Victor Enrich

After seven months of work, Víctor Enrich has shared "NHDK", an enchanting exploration of how to rethink the everyday environments that surround us. The project is the artist's latest experiment in digital manipulation and provocation.

December 20, 2013 - Web Urbanist

The Architectural Year in Review

Metropolis magazine has gathered some of the world's most influential critics and thinkers to propose the most important buildings, products, and events from the past year in architecture and design.

December 20, 2013 - Metropolis

Will the "Copenhagen Wheel" Revolutionize Cycling?

Developed by researchers at MIT in consultation with representatives from the Danish capital, the Copenhagen Wheel is a new technology that transforms your bike into a "smart electric-hybrid".

December 19, 2013 - posichange

Living Cities Screen Grab

The Best Maps of 2013

GIS Lounge is back with its list of the "most interesting and best" maps of the year. This year's honorees make traffic flows come to life, track global bike share inventory, and visualize regional differences in American speech.

December 17, 2013 - GIS Lounge

Energy Boom Warrants Rethinking 1970's Energy Policies

Harkening back to the long lines at gas stations that erupted after the 1973 Arab oil embargo, followed by diminishing oil production, US crude oil exports were prohibited. With production booming, energy czar Ernest Moniz may reconsider that policy.

December 17, 2013 - The New York Times - Energy & Environment

Is Peak Oil Demand In Sight?

With driving and oil consumption declining across many developed countries due to long-term structural shifts, Nick Butler sees reason to believe the world will soon reach peak oil demand.

December 16, 2013 - The Financial Times

Happy City Highlights

Hazel Borys shines today's PlaceShaker spotlight on "Happy City" by Charles Montgomery. Check it out and you'll be questioning our collective priorities in no time. C'mon get happy!

December 15, 2013 - PlaceShakers

Friday Funny: The World's Worst Place to Raise a Child

The Mariana Trench has beaten out Mt. Everest, the cone of Hawaii’s Mauna Loa volcano, and St. Louis to claim the title of the world's worst place to raise a child for the seventh consecutive year, reports the satirical newspaper The Onion.

December 13, 2013 - The Onion

These 10 Countries Are Ready for Renewable Energy

The World Economic Forum has reported on the state of national energy networks around the world and which countries are doing the most to embrace renewable energy technology.

December 13, 2013 - Future Cities

Envisioning a Future Urban Dronescape

Jeff Bezos' proposal to deliver packages by aerial drone has the potential to upset traditional models of logistics and distribution, but it's most powerful effect may be on the urban airspace. Are blue skies ahead for Bezos' vision?

December 12, 2013 - This Big City

New Report Explores the Benefits of BRT

By synthesizing existing literature and utilizing four detailed case studies, a new report from EMBARQ explores how bus rapid transit can impact the quality of life, productivity, health, and safety of city residents.

December 12, 2013 - TheCityFix

Can Billionaire Innovators Succeed in Disrupting How We Get Around?

While many are focused on fixing the legacy assets of another era, a group of innovative billionaires are training their talents on transforming the "sleepy realm of transportation," observes Kevin Robillard. Can they overcome the inherent obstacles?

December 11, 2013 - Politico

Does Privatizing Water Systems Make Sense?

Private financing of water systems goes at least as far back as ancient Rome. But as the number of people served by private water companies grows, some cities that have tasted privatization have found it lacking.

December 11, 2013 - The New Yorker

The World's Most Polluted Places

The Blacksmith Institute and Green Cross Switzerland recently released a list of places you definitely don't want to find yourself near: The World's Most Polluted Places.

December 11, 2013 - Fast Company Co.Exist

Vast Freshwater Reserves Found in the Last Place You'd Look

Australian researchers are agog over the discovery of 120,000 cubic miles of freshwater beneath the ocean floor. The reserves may help quench the world's approaching freshwater crisis.

December 9, 2013 - The Huffington Post

Honoring Architecture's Highs and Lows for 2013

They might call it the "Lunch with the Critics" award, but in my mind they're the "Archies" (is that taken?). Critics Alexandra Lange and Mark Lamster deliver their fourth annual awards for the best and worst in architecture and design of 2013.

December 8, 2013 - Observatory

Jan Gehl Laments 'Birdsh*t' Architecture

Jan Gehl argued at the Royal Institute of British Architects annual research symposium that architects and urban planners must do more research on how their schemes affect people.

December 8, 2013 - Future Cities

Citi Bike Rack

5 Secrets to Bike Share Success

Thriving bike share systems in DC and NYC are models for success. But other cities have struggled to create sustainable systems (DC's first effort failed, in fact). A new report offers a comprehensive guide to establishing bike share in your town.

December 6, 2013 - Treehugger

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.