Education & Careers

How is Architecture Failing its Next Generation?

Caela J. McKeever traces the ways in which the gap between the passion of architecture school and the stark realities of professional practice are discouraging young architects.

September 26, 2012 - Crosscut

The 50-Foot Commute Takes Off Across America

Jeff Khau examines the rise in the teleworking population and what this demographic shift means for cities.

September 20, 2012 - New Geography

Why Aren't There More Women in Design and Development?

Amanda Hurley explores the gender imbalance present among women in architecture and the "male-dominated world" of development, and questions the societal and biological justifications that many argue are determinants for choosing professional roles.

September 19, 2012 - Architect Magazine

Architects Are Screwed

The American Institute of Architects has released the results of its 2012 Firm Survey. While the results won't likely come as a surprise, the numbers are pretty staggering: since early 2008 revenue has dropped 40% and employment has dropped 28%.

September 18, 2012 - AIA

Why Can't Urban Designers and Transit Planners Just Get Along?

Reflecting on his experiences at CNU's recent Transportation Summit, Jarrett Walker examines "the mutual incomprehension that plagues the relationship between urban designers and transit planners."

September 13, 2012 - Human Transit

Transit Wins at Job Creation Game

Blogging on HuffPo, Greg LeRoy, director of Good Jobs First, makes the case that transit, transit oriented development and smart growth are key factors in job growth.

September 7, 2012 - Huffington Post

Escaping the Pitfalls of Professional Discourse

Kaid Benfield returns to his popular blog at the NRDC's Switchboard site after a three-week hiatus, with thoughts on the purpose of his writings and how "overly familiar vocabulary can lead to overly familiar thinking."

September 5, 2012 - Switchboard

Why Drawing Matters to Design in the Digital Age

Architect Michael Graves pens an opinion piece for The New York Times that explores the effect that computers are having on the architectural creative process. Does the decline in hand drawing result in a diminished ability for speculation?

September 4, 2012 - The New York Times

The Education Gap and its Role in Persistent Unemployment

A new report by the Brookings Institution shows that unemployment in America's cities is being exacerbated by a lack of higher-educated workers.

September 1, 2012 - The Atlantic Cities

Imagining an Alternative History for the Planning Profession

In Amanda Erickson's explanation of the history of urban planning, the profession as conceived at the start of the 20th century confronted a choice between creating beautiful people or beautiful cities. Why couldn't planners have created both?

August 29, 2012 - The Atlantic Cities

Young People's Fascination With Detroit is Only Part of the New Story for the City

Stories of Detroit’s nascent comeback often highlight the Rust Belt city’s attraction as a destination for America’s young hipsterati. Jay Walljasper explores the role that native Detroiters are playing in the city’s revival.

August 27, 2012 - Jay Walljasper

Redefining the American College Town

Richard Florida takes the end of summer, and impending awakening of campuses across the country, as an opportunity to explore which of America's metro areas have the largest higher education concentrations.

August 27, 2012 - The Atlantic Cities

Sustainability Science: a New Paradigm for Planning?

August 20, 2012 - Edward J. Jepson Jr.

I.B.M. Invests in Future of Africa's Cities

Steve Lohr reports on the new I.B.M. research lab in Kenya, which will work to tailor technological solutions to the prominent issues in Africa's major cities.

August 16, 2012 - The New York Times

Uncovering the History Behind Our Own Homes

Is your home historic? The Atlantic Cities challenges its readers to look at the history behind their own homes, providing a list of 10 things one can do to learn something new about the place we spend most of our time.

August 2, 2012 - The Atlantic Cities

Getting Serious About Resilience in Planning

July 31, 2012 - Kevin C. Desouza

The Changing Business of Planning

July 24, 2012 - Laurel Prevetti

Financial Trouble for Colleges Means Financial Trouble for College Towns

Declining state aid, hobbled endowments, and rising debt are hurting the balance sheets of colleges across America. Unfortunately the economies of their surrounding towns, which rely on schools for jobs, customers, and more, are far from immune.

July 24, 2012 - The Wall Street Journal

Detroit Reveals the Possibilities and Pitfalls of a New Era of Governance

America's fundamental levels of governance are changing, writes Anna Clark in Next American City, who uses examples from Detroit and Cleveland to ascertain what the stakes are when cities cede public sector work to third parties.

July 15, 2012 - Next American City

Radical Cartography Produces Unlikely Maps and Design Partnerships

Lillian Mathews describes "radical cartography," a movement to highlight, not hide, the process and politics associated with map-making decisions.

July 15, 2012 - Global Site Plans - The Grid

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.