Asia-Pacific

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

Americans With Disabilities Act

Google Doodle Commemorates Those Bumps on the Edge of the Transit Platform

Today's Google Doodle celebrates an important component of accessibility and mobility for the visually impaired.

March 18, 2019 - Google

Los Angeles River

Concrete’s Contribution to the Rise and Decline of Civilization

As the world becomes more encased in concrete, the detrimental effects of its widespread use are increasing in scale and severity.

March 17, 2019 - The Guardian

Singapore Electric Bus

Trial Run of Driverless Buses Set to Start in Singapore

Singapore has ambitious plans for an autonomous public transportation system. New full-sized buses and an upcoming trial run will put the country closer to its goals.

March 9, 2019 - Bloomberg

Shanghai

Friday Eye Candy: 195 Gigapixels of Urban Glory

An incredibly detailed bird's eye view of Shanghai.

January 25, 2019 - Dezeen

Hong Kong High Rises

Asian, Australian Property Markets Begin to Cool

Markets for residential property income of East Asia's most expensive cities are slowing down. The U.S.-China trade war is one factor, along with local controls and a mainland Chinese economy applying the brakes.

January 11, 2019 - The Vancouver Sun

Japan Shared Space

Japan Offers Up Free Abandoned Houses

Due to an aging populace, lackluster construction quality, and other factors, Japan is facing a glut of abandoned homes. For those with the ability to live there, these homes can be had for next to nothing.

December 24, 2018 - Fast Company

Osaka, Japan

Friday Eye Candy: Japanese Buildings That Combine 'Oddity and Innovation'

Touring Japan for strange but beautiful buildings.

November 30, 2018 - Architizer

Sunday Fun: Take a Google Earth Flyover Tour of Tokyo's Yamanote Line

A key ring route in Tokyo's massive collection of rail lines, the JR Yamanote Line is a public transit aficionado's wildest dream. Reece Martin offers a guided tour of the line, available from the comfort of any YouTube-enabled screen.

November 18, 2018 - YouTube

Hurricane Sandy New York City Flooding

As Temperatures Increase, Maps Show Sea-Level Rise Will Devastate Cities

Data visualizations illustrate the catastrophic consequences of single-digit global temperature increases.

October 29, 2018 - The City Fix

Earthquake damage

When the Earth Turns to Liquid

A 7.5 magnitude earthquake struck the Indonesian island of Sulawesi on Sept. 25, followed by a massive tsunami. Soil liquefaction caused by the tremor resulted in 1,700 homes being "swallowed" as the soil shifted. Deaths exceeded 1,400 on Oct. 3.

October 5, 2018 - The Independent

New York MTA subway station

Public Transit in the U.S. Could Be Better. So Why Isn’t It?

Transit ridership has surged in other countries but lags here in the United States. The possible reasons for this are varied as are proposed solutions for improving American transit systems.

October 1, 2018 - Vox

Seoul Bus Stop

Lessons from Seoul's Bus Redesign

Seoul simplified its routes and kept its key bus lanes clear of traffic to revitalize it's transit system.

August 28, 2018 - Mobility Lab

New Zealand Bars Foreigners from Buying Residences

Homes are getting more expensive in New Zealand, so they're making it illegal for foreigners to buy homes in the country.

August 26, 2018 - The Spaces

Dublin Skyline

Asia Dominates Metropolitan Growth; California Cities Also in the Top Ten

The Brookings Institution released the Global Metro Monitor 2018 report this week.

July 13, 2018 - Brookings

A Hello Kitty-Themed Bullet Train to Begin Operation in Japan

A Shinkansen train will launching service on June 30 with Hello Kitty seats, benches, and a dining car.

May 23, 2018 - The Japan Times

Fertility Rates, Birth Rates, Births Fell to Record Lows in U.S. Last Year

Births and birth rates dropped to a 30-year low, not an issue of concern yet, but if the trend continues, the U.S. could join other developed nations that must deal with the consequences of an aging population. Immigration plays an uncertain factor.

May 21, 2018 - NPR: The Two-Way

Waste Stream

U.S. Recycling Markets in Free Fall After China Pulls Import Plug

China has stopped purchasing the recyclables that millions of Americans place curbside on recycling days, upending the industry. Recyclables are already directed toward landfills as domestic markets are sought. Berkeley, Calif. may go a novel route.

May 16, 2018 - The Wall Street Journal via MSN Money

Shibukawa Limited Express

Japanese Bus Drivers Strike by Not Accepting Fares

Bus drivers in Japan put blankets over fare boxes and continue to drive their routes, in order to serve their passengers while on strike.

May 7, 2018 - NPR

TOKYO Night @45F

Energy Demand and Carbon Emissions Increased in 2017, Just Not Everywhere

The International Energy Agency found that China and India were responsible for 40 percent of the increased energy demand. The biggest decrease in carbon dioxide emissions came from the U.S., largely due to increased use of renewables.

March 27, 2018 - International Energy Agency

Japan

AI-Based Ride Hailing Spreads in Japan

A series of partnerships announced is pushing integrating taxi service and artificial intelligence in Japan.

February 22, 2018 - TechCrunch

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.