China

Guangzhou

China's Big Recovery Bet: High-Speed Rail

In China, economic stimulus means high-speed rail spending—and lots of it.

August 19, 2020 - Global Construction Review

Hong Kong

The Greener Side of Hong Kong: Five Parks to Visit

Most people only know Hong Kong as an urban jungle and one of the densest cities in the world. However, there are actually green places where its residents can go for exercise and relaxation.

July 17, 2020 - South China Morning Post

Global warming and pollution

The Post-Pandemic Economy Could Be Dirtier Than Ever

The environmental gains at the beginning of the pandemic were only temporary., and there are signs more signs every day that the economy will be dirtier than ever in the future.

July 8, 2020 - National Geographic

Coronavirus Protest

Academic Studies: Staying at Home Saved Millions of Lives Globally

Separate coronavirus studies from the University of California at Berkeley and Imperial College London published June 8 in the journal Nature show the life and health-saving value of domestic stay-at-home orders, global lockdowns, and other measures.

June 15, 2020 - The Washington Post

Social Distancing

Pandemic Endgame

On Monday, the 73rd World Health Assembly convenes virtually for two days. NPR's Scott Simon speaks with a WHO spokesperson about how long we can expect to live with the coronavirus that causes COVID-19.

May 18, 2020 - NPR Weekend Edition Saturday

China Bikeshare

Shared Bikes a Popular Option in Wuhan Following Lockdown

Shared bike companies in China report that many residents in Wuhan have been relying on bikes for transportation in the immediate aftermath of a 76-day lockdown.

April 23, 2020 - China Daily

Eataly Coronavirus

Suppression or Mitigation? The Language of Coronavirus Containment

A report from Imperial College London, viewed as the "gold standard" by British leaders, was instrumental in compelling the U.S. and the U.K. to enact stronger policies to contain COVID-19. But was it too late?

March 31, 2020 - The New York Times

Public Transit Ridership

40 Million Californians Ordered to Stay At Home to Contain Coronavirus

The largest state in the country has been ordered to shelter in place.

March 20, 2020 - California Coronavirus (COVID-19) Response

Shipping San Francisco Bay

Bay Area Ordered to Shelter in Place

Six Bay Area counties have taken drastic action to curb the spread of the deadly coronavirus. "Please read this Order carefully. Violation of or failure to comply with this Order is a misdemeanor punishable by fine, imprisonment, or both."

March 17, 2020 - San Francisco Chronicle

Coal Railroad

Mountain Coal States vs. West Coast Cities

A legal battle is being waged between the coal-exporting states of Utah, Wyoming, and Montana and coastal cities in California, Oregon, and Washington that pits the power of local land-use authority against the protection of interstate commerce.

March 16, 2020 - Los Angeles Times

New York MTA

Coronavirus Effects on the Global Transportation System

As the coronavirus continues to move across the globe, its effects on shared transportation modes and freight shipping are becoming more apparent.

March 9, 2020 - Eno Center for Transportation

Epdemiology

NIMBY Politics Sway the Fight to Contain Coronavirus

A week after the Orange County city of Costa Mesa filed a restraining order against the federal government and the state of California over the use of a state-owned facility as an isolation site for coronavirus patients, the feds dropped the plan.

March 4, 2020 - Daily Pilot (Los Angeles Times)

Air Pollution

Charting the Climate Change Crisis

Analysis of global greenhouse gas emissions data points to the sectors, activities, and countries that are the biggest contributors.

February 23, 2020 - The City Fix

Beijing Traffic

Study Shows Link Between Car Ownership and Decrease in Physical Activity

A study of residents in Beijing, China who became car owners indicates that they used alternative transportation modes less after buying cars.

February 14, 2020 - MinnPost

Prefabricated, Mixed-Use Project Proposed in Downtown Anchorage

The first mixed-use hotel and apartment project in downtown Anchorage, Alaska will use prefabricated rooms and is expected to start construction this spring.

February 6, 2020 - Anchorage Daily News

Huandao Road

China's Global Power Play

China's Belt and Road Initiative, a massive program to develop infrastructure in dozens of countries worldwide, may be the largest construction project in history. Its benefits to host countries—and to China itself—remain far from certain.

November 22, 2019 - The Architect's Newspaper

Beijing Traffic

Cities Have Tried to Rein in Cars, and the Results Have Been Mixed

Vehicle pollution is making cities around the world unlivable. Some cities have taken steps to curb auto use and emissions, with varying levels of success.

November 20, 2019 - The New York Times

Alibaba

Study: E-Commerce Decreases Traffic Congestion in China

Examining congestion data from 94 Chinese cities before and after Alibaba's Singles' Day, this study found evidence for a modest drop in traffic following the Cyber Monday-like event.

November 3, 2019 - IDEAS

China Solar

Growth of Green Energy Slowing in China

Fears of a US trade war and a slowing economy have translated into fewer subsidies for solar and wind energy in China.

October 4, 2019 - Yale Environment 360

China High Speed Rail

Rail Opening Spree in China

New rail lines are operational in seven cities in China.

October 4, 2019 - International Railway Journal

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.