World
Global issues, U.N., etc.
Are Diverse Communities Discordant With Cohesive Ones?
A study utilizing simulations of more than 20 million virtual “neighborhoods” finds a negative relationship between cohesion and diversity. The findings could alter how we understand and build social capital within neighborhoods and across cities.
Why Your Solar Panels Are Likely Facing the Wrong Direction
To maximize sun exposure and electricity generation during peak times, solar panels installed in the northern hemisphere shouldn't face south, as conventional wisdom dictates, but west, finds a new study.
Six Innovative Efforts to Improve Road Safety
In honor of World Day of Remembrance for Road Traffic Victims, held yesterday, The Guardian highlighted innovative projects that are making the world's roads safer.
Injustice Becomes a Focus of Climate Negotiations
In the aftermath of Typhoon Haiyan, the unequal impacts of climate change have become a focus of discussions at an international climate conference in Warsaw. The most vulnerable (often poor) nations are demanding compensation from developed ones.
Record U.S. Oil Production, but How Long Will it Last?
A milestone was reached last month in oil imports: For the first time in 18 years, the U.S. produced more oil than it imported thanks to fracking and reduced consumption. But according to a new IEA report, shale oil growth will peak within a decade.
Visualizing the Earth's Vanishing Forests
A new study appearing in the journal Science details the devastating loss of 1.5 million million square kilometers of forest across the globe between 2000 and 2012 and presents a stunning visualization of the data using high-resolution maps.
Explaining Traffic Waves - the Likely Cause for Your Congested Commute
For many drivers, the only experience more aggravating than being stuck in traffic is not being able to figure out why there's a jam in the first place. An explanation of the phenomenon called "Traffic Waves" may help ease the aggravation.
Expanding Cycling Infrastructure Is a Snap With Lego-Like Bike Lanes
Somewhere between the universally-despised sharrow and the rare separated cycle track sits Copenhagenize Flow, a lego-like set of tiles that allows cities to experiment with expanded bike infrastructure at low cost and low commitment.
Solutionism in Urban Data Science
Shannon Mattern surveys the new wave of urban data science projects and argues that practitioners are trending toward an obsession with data-for-data’s-sake and an idolization of method.
Big Data Having Big Impact on City Operations
In the future, big data is supposed to help cities improve and optimize their operations. According to a new report that documents the innovative uses of data and evidence by seven major cities, the future is now.
The Super Typhoon and Climate Change
The head of the Philippines delegation at the United Nations Framework Convention on Climate Change in Warsaw suggests climate change is responsible for Typhoon Haiyan. Is he right? Quartz investigates the connection.
Amsterdam Will Harvest Urine for Green Roofs
As part of a campaign for International Water Week, Amsterdam's water corporation, Waternet, will use struvite from donated urine in order to fertilize the city's green roofs.
How Can We Provoke "Peak Waste"?
Because city residents generate four times as much trash as rural residents, the rapid growth of the world's cities is leading to the rapid growth of the world's garbage. A new study examines future trash troubles and potential solutions.
How a Polar Meltdown Would Reshape the Planet's Coastlines
While we won't live to see it, humanity's carbon emissions could one day melt all of the ice on Earth. National Geographic's interactive map shows how the world's coastlines would change when sea levels rise 216 feet. Say goodbye to Florida.
What's in a Neighborhood?
Tom Vanderbilt examines the word “neighborhood,” a term "frequently invoked yet seldom analyzed". He traces attempts to define, redefine, strengthen and weaken the concept in modern urbanism. Is it obsolete or more important than ever?
Top 20 Weird & Wonderful Urban Bridges
Though meant to unite, bridges can be divisive structures. What should a bridge really be? Does clever design matter, or is it all about function? Here are 20 bridges from around the world that stand out as interesting, if not always functional.
What Is Planning?
By analyzing the areas of expertise and interests of 851 undergraduate and graduate planning faculty members, Tom Sanchez investigates what planning is, what it is not, and what it could be.
Stunning Photos of Earth From Space
A collection of satellite photos reveals the planet's beauty and vulnerability from threats such as desertification, sprawl, and pollution.
10 Traits of 'Globally Fluent' Cities
City leaders are constantly told technology is making the world smaller, and they need to make sure their city competes on a world stage, but how? Here are 10 traits cities must have in order to be "globally fluent."
Freedom of Mobility is the Key to Happiness
Cities designed for one type of mobility - the car - result in residents impaired by multiple types of ailments. To create a happier and healthier city, the solution is to facilitate many ways of getting around, especially alternatives to the auto.
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.
City of Rosemead
Rutgers University, Edward J. Bloustein School of Planning and Public Policy
One Hundred Miles
University of Michigan School for Environment and Sustainability (SEAS)
Hunter College, City University of New York (CUNY)
The Architects Foundation
City of Cambridge
Montrose County
The Pocatello Development Authority
