Asia-Pacific

China, Japan, other South East Asian countries, Australia, New Zealand, and Pacific Islands countries.

Cars and pedestrians on Hong Kong street at night.

Hong Kong Cab Hailing App Folds — and Uber Takes Over

HKTaxi launched a year before Uber came to town. Now, it’s shutting down. Lawmakers worry a monopoly looms.

February 13, 2025 - South China Morning Post

Smithsonian museum in Washington, D.C. facade.

Advancing the National Asian Pacific American Museum

Supporters are mobilizing, fundraising, and facilitating the creation of a compelling Congressional report to secure authorization for a Smithsonian museum that represents and preserves the diverse histories and cultures of Asian Pacific Americans.

January 6, 2025 - Friends of the National Asian Pacific American Museum

View of E-World 83 Tower in Seoul, South Korea through branches full of white and pink cherry blossoms.

Seoul’s Urban Parks Blossom with Books

The Reading in Seoul Garden event invited residents to enjoy free reading and relaxation activities, including digital and live programs, in scenic parks, fostering a sense of community amid the city’s autumn landscapes.

November 1, 2024 - The Korea Times

People running and cycling on wide paved path next to water with Singapore skyline with high-rises in background.

Singapore: A Model for Longevity and Quality of Life

Singapore's remarkable rise in life expectancy, driven by government policies on health, green spaces, and social cohesion, has earned it the distinction of being named the world's sixth “Blue Zone.”

October 14, 2024 - BBC

View of Auckland, New Zealand with construction cranes.

New Zealand Zoning Reform Targets Housing Production

New national rules will prevent local councils from limiting development in an effort to ease the nation’s housing crisis.

July 12, 2024 - Associated Press

Air pollution is visible in the air around high-rise buildings in Dhaka, Bangladesh.

Air Pollution World’s Worst Public Health Threat, Report Says

Air pollution is more likely to take years life off the lifespan of the average human than any other external factor, according to a recent report out of the University of Chicago.

August 31, 2023 - Phys.org

The construction site of a new development in the Azabudai Hills neighborhood of Tokyo.

A New Tallest Skyscraper for Japan

The Toranomon-Azabudai reaches 330 meters into the sky, far lower than international standards but taller by 30 meters than the previous tallest building in Japan.

July 5, 2023 - CNN

Close-up of multicolored gas station pumps

OPEC Plus Decision to Reduce Oil Output Could Lead to Global Recession

A decision earlier this month by a group of the world's largest oil exporters to drastically reduce oil production to stem the decline in oil prices could be a ‘tipping point’ for a global recession, says the International Energy Agency.

October 19, 2022 - The Hill

Liquid natural gas tanker in Klaipeda, Lithuania

Europe's New Energy Infrastructure Begins to Emerge

When Russia invaded Ukraine on February 24, Russian President Vladimir Putin hoped to quickly redraw national boundary lines in Eastern Europe. The region's energy infrastructure, particularly pipelines carrying natural gas, may change sooner.

May 24, 2022 - POLITICO Europe

Natural Gas

Withholding Energy as a Weapon

As Russia intensifies its offensive in Ukraine, energy security has become a matter of urgency for Poland and Bulgaria after Russia announced they will suspend the flow of natural gas through its pipelines to these two NATO and EU members.

April 27, 2022 - The New York Times

Toddler walking on street

How Japanese Cities Enable Toddlers To Roam Independently

A TV show featuring young Japanese children going on errands on their own highlights the differences between Japanese and American urban design that enable even toddlers to safely navigate big cities.

April 13, 2022 - Slate

Social Distancing

Second Anniversary of the COVID-19 Pandemic

March 11 marked the second anniversary of WHO's declaration of the pandemic and the beginning of its third year. Cases continue to plummet in the U.S. and plateau globally while war in Europe has overshadowed the virus that has killed 6 million.

March 16, 2022 - The Associated Press

New Zealand

Zoning Reform: Lessons From New Zealand

The island nation is mandating mid-density zoning requirements and transit-oriented development in an effort to increase housing affordability and encourage compact development.

January 27, 2022 - The Brookings Institution

Subway in India

The Fastest Growing Cities in the World

None of the fastest growing cities in the world are found in North or South America.

January 4, 2022 - City Monitor

New Zealand Bus Transit

New Zealand Approves Sweeping Land Use Reforms

The five largest cities in New Zealand will be zoned to allow townhouses. The latest bill continues a recent string of zoning reforms.

December 15, 2021 - Stuff

COVID-19 Test

Global COVID Death Toll Reaches Another Grim Milestone

The official death toll due to COVID-19 since the first recorded death in Wuhan, China, on Jan. 10, 2020, passed 5 million on Nov. 1, although The New York Times stresses that's a vast undercount. The WHO points to Europe as the latest hot spot.

November 10, 2021 - The New York Times

A restaurant in Singapore places tape on seats to maintain distance between diners during the Covid-19 pandemic in 2020.

Pandemic Geography: What's Going on in Singapore?

With 82% of its population fully vaccinated, mostly with mRNA vaccines, COVID case incidence on Nov. 1 is the same as Wyoming, where 44% of the population is fully vaccinated. Hospitals are feeling the strain, and deaths are at their highest level.

November 2, 2021 - Reuters

New Zealand parliament

New Zealand Lawmakers Propose Countrywide 'Medium Density Residential Standards'

The country of New Zealand could take the drastic step of implementing planning reforms that allow more dense residential developments throughout the country.

October 20, 2021 - Stuff

Skateboard Park

No Place to Skateboard

Even as Japanese skateboarders achieve Olympic glory, skateboarding is still viewed as an unacceptable nuisance on Tokyo’s streets and parks.

August 10, 2021 - Los Angeles Times

Tokyo Skyline

Japan's Rental Housing Market Defined by Land Scarcity, Earthquakes, Demographic Shifts

The island nation's housing market faces a discrepancy between existing stock and rapidly changing demographics.

May 9, 2021 - Brookings Institution

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.