Education & Careers
Identifying the Key Steps to Building Baltimore's Economy
Baltimore has ridden out the recession better than most metropolitan areas. However, in advance of a study to be released this week, Jennifer S. Vey outlines the ways in which it can better align workers' skills with economic opportunities.
Using Social Media to Understand Planning Trends
Brittany Kubinski and Jennifer Evans-Cowley turn to twitter for a detailed analysis of the trends that emerged from this year's APA national conference, and for a comparison to last year's popular topics.
Zoning Children Out of a Good Education
Nate Berg examines new research linking restrictive land use regulations to academically stratified neighborhoods.
How an Urban Oasis Gave Grade Schoolers a Boost
Louis Sagahun explores the unexpected benefits of trading 5,000 square feet of grass and pavement for native plants at a Los Angeles elementary school.
National Conference Will Urge Planners To 'Think Big'
For the first time in a generation, the American Planning Association is hosting its National Conference in Los Angeles. Organizers view the event, April 14-17, as a chance to inspire planners to assert themselves and start dreaming big again.

Getting into Planning School: How Much do Transcripts Matter?
I’ve had a lot of questions lately from students about how important transcripts are in the graduate admissions process. Your application is one of the few times anyone will actually read your transcript so it has some importance.
'Stuck' in the City, Chicago Parents Yearn for Better Schools
A sluggish housing market has stemmed the flow of young parents into Chicago's suburbs, putting pressure on city officials to make public schools better, John Pletz reports.
Carpentry, Construction a Remedy for At-Risk Youth
Tom Stoelker reports on a program that's teaching inner-city youngsters valuable skills – by training them to build its own headquarters.
Unlearning How To Speak As A Planner
Emily Badger delivers a lesson in how to navigate the linguistic minefield awaiting anyone who endeavors to talk about cities with those who don't live in one.

Finding an Undergraduate Planning Program
Undergraduates face special challenges and one of them is in finding a planning-related program. The following tips may make the search easier.
Exclusive: Urban Planning Reaches Out to "Dummies"
For Dummies, the ubiquitous reference series, has recently released its first book dedicated entirely to Urban Planning. Planetizen spoke recently with author Jordan Yin about the book, its audience, and what he hopes to provide for readers.
What's Wrong with the "Green" Design Revolution
In an interview with the British inventor James Dyson, Ben Schiller discusses the future of engineering and design in America and the fallacies behind much "green" design.
Ranking of Top Cities For Students Unveiled
Quacquarelli Symonds (QS), who specialize in education and study abroad, have recently released their first ever ranking of the fifty best student cities in the world.
How and Why Does an Architect Become Famous?
In a fascinating essay in the journal Places, Keith Eggener examines the politics of architectural reputation through the lens of architect Louis Curtiss's life and career.
The Staying Power of Green Jobs
Sarah Laskow reports on new findings that show California’s green economy fared much better in the economic downturn than the economy as a whole, demonstrating the overall staying power of green jobs.
Toward a More Inclusive Planning Process
Elizabeth Evitts Dickinson raises the issue that there are not enough minorities representing the communities that planners and designers strive to make better.
A Profile of the 'Jane Jacobs of Urban Design'
Mackenzie Carpenter has written an engaging profile of David Lewis, the community planning pioneer whom Richard Florida calls the 'Jane Jacobs of Urban Design,' as he celebrates his 90th birthday.
2012 APA Award Winners Announced
The APA has announced its 2012 National Planning Excellence Award winners. Award recipients come from a diverse array of locales including: New York City; Wilmington, North Carolina; Tulsa, Oklahoma; and Cleveland, Ohio.
Returning Big Ideas to Planning in New York
Urban Omnibus declares the visionary work of the Speculation Studio at Columbia University an overdue evolution in architectural education.
Pagination
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.
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