China

2012's Top Emblems of Chinese Overbuilding

To keep its slowing economy humming, China continues to pump colossal funds into infrastructure projects. With massive stimulus spending comes massive inefficiencies. Naomi Rovnick selects China's most wasteful infrastructure projects of 2012.

December 14, 2012 - The Atlantic Cities

China's Cities Hold the Key to the World's Future

In a globalized world, China's economic, environmental and urban development has implications for us all, posits Henry M. Paulson Jr. The problems the country faces, and any potential solutions, revolve around its approach to urbanization.

December 9, 2012 - The New York Times

As Economies Return, So Does Frightening Asian Air Pollution

New studies are raising alarms about the growing threat of harmful air in Asia's cities. One recent report warns that air pollution could become the biggest environmental cause of premature death by 2050 if action is not taken.

December 5, 2012 - The New York Times

Can China Ditch the Cars and Superblocks for More Livable Cities?

In his work developing plans for six new cities in China, Peter Calthorpe has a unique perspective on what the country must do to build sustainable cities to house its growing urban population. He shares his insights with Fortune's Brian Dumaine.

December 4, 2012 - CNN Money

Why NYC's Most Exciting Architecture Can be Found Hanging on Walls

Planning a trip to NYC over the holidays? In a recent editorial, William Menking argues that “for visitors to New York, the place to look for the most exciting architectural ideas is not the city streets, but the walls of galleries and museums.”

December 2, 2012 - The Architect's Newspaper

Friday Funny: "Our House, in the Middle of Our Street"

In China, the concerns of the few are unlikely to stand in the way of progress for the many. This has been made abundantly clear in Zhejiang province where a new motorway has been built around the home of a couple that has refused to move.

November 23, 2012 - The Independent

Chinese Government Responds to Growing NIMBYism

For the last 30 years, China has led the world in economic growth at a hefty environmental price. Widespread protests have prompted the cabinet of China to mandate a "social risk assessment" for industrial projects, reports Keith Bradsher.

November 16, 2012 - The New York Times

China to Build Oz

Another day, another plan for an ambitious city to be built from scratch in China. In this case it's Great City, "a high-density, car-free 'satellite city' for 80,000 people that will be built from scratch in a rural location close to Chengdu."

October 26, 2012 - Dezeen

The World's Fastest Growing Cities

Business Insider has compiled a list of the "31 fastest growing cities on the planet." Cities in China and Africa we're well represented, with only two cities outside of those areas cracking the list.

October 22, 2012 - Business Insider

Economic Matters Aside, Not All is Peachy in China

A recent Pew survey of Chinese residents points to increasing anxiety among participants with the country’s problems. Despite continued economic growth, at an average of 9% per year over the past four years, the Chinese are growing dissatisfied.

October 19, 2012 - The Atlantic Cities

Scenes from The World's Factory

A journalist offers a personal account and striking images from Guangzhou, capital of Guangdong, China, home to factories that the produce a wide variety of exported goods.

October 8, 2012 - The Design Observer

Urban Agriculture in the Sky: Hong Kong's Farming Boom

In one of the world's most dense cities, urban agriculture finds its place on the rooftops of Hong Kong buildings. Fears of tainted imports is spurring much of the growth.

October 7, 2012 - The New York Times

The Mad (?) Genius (?) Behind China's Turbo-Prefab Revolution

Lauren Hilgers profiles Zhang Yue, founder and chairman of Broad Sustainable Building (Broad), the Chinese company behind plans to construct the world's tallest building in seven months.

September 28, 2012 - Wired

China Plans Rapid Growth in Urban Rail Systems

Unlike its slowing economy, infrastructure projects across China continue to expand. Already home to three of the world's most-used transit systems, China plans to invest $127 billion in the coming decade to build dozens of new urban rail projects.

September 19, 2012 - the transport politic

Are Efforts to Improve the Livability of China's Cities Hurting the Country's Economy?

As China continues to mature into a developed nation, efforts aimed at making its largest cities more environmentally sustainable and healthy may be putting a damper on the country's economic growth.

September 7, 2012 - The New York Times

Chinese Cities Aren't as Bad as You've Heard

Lisa Gu pens a passionate defense of Chinese cities in response to a recent article that claims they are virtually "unlivable."

September 2, 2012 - New Geography

Hong Kong's Pedestrian Networks Redefine Civic Space

Nate Berg looks at how Hong Kong's unique pedestrian infrastructure of elevated walkways and underground tunnels has affected the city's use of public and private spaces, and shifted urban behaviors.

August 27, 2012 - The Atlantic Cities

Is Chinese Bridge Collapse Just the Tip of an Infrastructure Disaster Iceberg?

A year after a deadly high-speed train accident occurred in the eastern city of Wenzhou, a portion of one of the longest bridges in northern China collapsed on Friday, reigniting concerns over infrastructure built at breakneck speed in recent years.

August 26, 2012 - The New York Times

Chinese City Gets Serious About Traffic Enforcement . . . Maybe a Little Too Serious

A program that allows undercover inspectors to keep 80 percent of any fines proves (un)remarkably effective.

August 25, 2012 - The Epoch Times

What is the World's Most Vulnerable City to Flooding?

Based on a range of data, including 19 different components, a new study examining cities located on river deltas has determined that Shanghai is the most vulnerable to major flooding.

August 25, 2012 - BBC News

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.