Education & Careers
Two Popular Business Books for Planners
Mining the business world for lessons about the planning profession.
Thirst, Altruism, and the Potential for Planning: A Message for New Planners
Community is built through altruism, but planners are taught to think of self interest as the biggest motivator of human behavior. How do we use planning skills to encourage public goods and community interest?
Research Connects School Choice to Gentrification
One unintended consequence of No Child Left Behind: increased gentrification.
New Institute for Health in the Built Environment Formed at the University of Oregon
A new research institute in the University of Oregon's College of Design reflects the ongoing need to put planners and designers to work in delivering better public health outcomes.
2018 Planning Excellence Awards Announced
The APA revealed their annual recognition of the best of the best for planners and planning in 2018.
Keeping Our Children Safe After the Parkland High School Shooting
In the aftermath of the Marjory Stoneman Douglas High School mass shooting in Florida, the debate has been wide-ranging, from gun safety to arming teachers. All agree students must be safe, so why not look at architecture? The NRA has some tips.
Design Media's Disguised Sexism Called Out
A planner who used vulgar terms to complain about an article on the subject of a "female approach to development" gets schooled about #TimesUp.
Urban Planning Insights From Your Inner Child (or Your Actual Child)
Los Angeles County park planner and parent Clement Lau writes about how 'playing' and parenting has given him insight into the urban environment that he applies in his profession.
Urban Design for Medical Students
A co-curricular program at a Philadelphia medical school integrates public health and city planning.
An Infographic to Explain the History of Urban Planning
What do you think about the linked visual presentation of the history of urban planning?
Middle Schoolers Plan the 'Future City'
The deliverables in the Future City competition—open to children in grades six through eight—include a virtual city design (using SimCity), a scale model, a project plan, and more.
16 Daily Habits to Help Improve Your Planning Productivity
Using daily and disciplined habits will improve your work efficiency. This blog provides 16 habits you can employ to help meet your 2018 work (and life) goals.
The Most Popular Posts of 2017
All the planning news that's fit to print.
The Fifth Annual 'Presents for Planners'
Still haven't found a gift for the plan-nerd in your family, workplace, or circle of friends? Fear not! Park plan-nerd Clement Lau has published his 5th annual Presents for Plannerds just in time for the Holidays - gift ideas with a planning bent.
Planetizen's Top Ten Books of 2017
Planetizen is pleased to release its list of the best books published in 2017 on the subjects of planning, design, and development.
The Lessons Jane Jacobs and Christopher Alexander Still Have to Teach
Robert Steuteville reviews Cities Alive, by Michael Mehaffy, describing the newly released book as "an important analysis for urbanism."
Recognizing the Achievements of Black Urbanists
Blogger and planners Pete Saunders is acknowledging black urbanists from all over the spectrum of civic involvement.
2018 Conferences in Planning and Design
An annual sampling of some of the best professional development conferences in the coming year for the planning and design professions, by L.A. County Planner Clement Lau.
Plotting a Persuasive Story? Better Have a Happily Ever After
All stories are purposeful. They’re meant to entertain or inform or inspire to action. If you're a storyteller for a placemaking initiative, Ben Brown says you'd better have a happily ever after.
Why a Planner Might Want a Doctorate Degree in Urban Planning That's not a Ph.D.
There are two types of doctorate degrees in urban planning. Clement Lau, a Los Angeles County planner with one of them, explains the difference and why, with no plans to be a professor, he pursued one of these degrees.
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.
North Jersey Transportation Planning Authority (NJTPA)
Economic & Planning Systems, Inc.
UCLA Lewis Center for Regional Policy Studies
Mpact (formerly Rail~Volution)
Chaddick Institute at DePaul University
City of Piedmont, CA
Great Falls Development Authority, Inc.
HUDs Office of Policy Development and Research
