Australia
A Moveable Leaf
Jared Green looks at the floating forest that has made itself home aboard the decommissioned SS Ayrfield, 'a 1,140-tonne behemoth built in 1911 as a steam collier', that can be found bobbing in Australia's Homebush Bay.
End of the Line for the Sydney Monorail
With the number of serviceable trains dwindling the Sydney Monorail is being scrapped.
How Jan Gehl Turned Melbourne into a Pedestrian Paradise
Danish architect Jan Gehl and a steadfast group of local collaborators have transformed Melbourne from a lifeless 9-5 city into a preeminently livable place. Mitra Anderson-Oliver looks at the principles that have guided their work.
Water Sensitive Urban Design Slakes Thirst for Sustainability
The world's increasing water crises demand a new approach to managing the urban water cycle. Water sensitive urban design seeks to integrate water into urban environments, rather than isolating it, to create more livable cities.
The Life and Death of the Suburban Paradigm
A new article by city historian Graeme Davison traces the rise and fall of the suburban paradigm from its ideological roots in Victorian England to its current backlash.
10-Year Study Confirms Public Health Benefits of Walkability
A newly published University of Melbourne study ten years in the making reveals that increased access to shops, parks, and other amenities increased walking and overall health.
Australian Wind Energy Cheaper Than Coal and Natural Gas
In carbon-tax friendly Australia wind energy production is now cheaper than coal and natural gas.
Picturing Ten Urban Qualities Important for Every City
Writing in The Atlantic Cities, Chuck Wolfe provides ten illustrated examples of enjoyable environments that reflect an evolving recognition for the qualitative aspects of the urban experience.
Astronomical Housing Prices Drive Australians Out of the Suburbs
In Sydney, "the most unaffordable housing market in the English- speaking world", sky-high housing prices are driving residents priced out of the suburbs into apartments downtown, reports Nichola Saminather.
Lessons Learned: Five Principles of People and Place
Employing material gathered for his forthcoming book, Chuck Wolfe argues for layered, historical illustrations of how people relate to built and sociocultural communities around them, and offers 5 principles and companion lessons for placemaking.
Coal Ascendant in the 21st Century
Coal burning is rising everywhere save the U.S. If no changes are made to promote alternatives, it will overtake oil as the world's top energy source within a decade according to a new report from the Paris-based International Energy Agency (IEA).
Big Names to Remake Sydney's Darling Harbour
OMA and Populous are among the members of an international team of architects working for developers Lend Lease on a 2.15 million-square-foot revamp of Sydney's Darling Harbour as a convention, exhibition, and entertainment district.
What's the State of Australia's Cities?
A new report issued by the Australian Government analyzes the changing demographics of the country's largest cities, home to 77 percent of its population, and looks at their progress in increasing productivity, sustainability and liveability.
Exposing America's Water Crisis
Cynthia Barnett says Americans live under an "illusion of water abundance" and calls for government water managers and private water companies to "stem the drain on America's water resources before it's too late."
New Development Seeks to Reclaim Sydney's Position as a Global City
Lew Sichelman reports on the lofty goals being pursued by a new $6.2 billion live/play/work development known as Barangaroo - planned for a 54-acre site in East Darling Harbor - which aims to redefine Sydney.
Is an Emblem of Sydney's Past the Key to its Future?
Tim Williams argues that Sydney's ubiquitous and beloved terraced housing provides an exemplary model for developing environmentally efficient and livable communities. So why is their construction being stymied?
The Value of Urban Trees in Promoting Bird Diversity
A world first study explicitly demonstrates that large trees in urban parks are “keystone structures” that help provide important habitat and contribute to the richness, abundance and breeding of birds, reports Megan Doherty.
"Creating Places for People"
That's the title of a draft report from the Australian Dept. of Infrastructure and Transport presenting model processes for creating high-quality urban environments.
When Funicular Isn't Just A Funny Word
Jarrett Walker rides on the Wellington Cable Car, giving him the opportunity to explain the four conditions for when a funicular is a sensible transit solution.
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.
Clanton & Associates, Inc.
Jessamine County Fiscal Court
Institute for Housing and Urban Development Studies (IHS)
City of Grandview
Harvard GSD Executive Education
Toledo-Lucas County Plan Commissions
Salt Lake City
NYU Wagner Graduate School of Public Service
