Europe

High-Speed Rail Network Push Blurs European Borders

Efforts to improve Europe's network of high-speed rail systems may also result in loosened border crossing rules.

January 11, 2008 - Der Spiegel

Hans Monderman, Livable Streets Traffic Engineer, 1947-2008

Hans Monderman, the Dutch traffic engineer renowned for his innovative "shared space" plans emphasizing human interaction over mechanical traffic control devices, died this week.

January 9, 2008 - Streetsblog

Electric Car Sharing Service to Debut in Paris

Paris plans to unveil an electric car-sharing service throughout the city to complement its successful bike rental system.

January 9, 2008 - The Times

Congestion Pricing Debuts in Milan

The city of Milan, Italy, has instituted a congestion pricing system.

January 7, 2008 - BBC

The Smoke Clears In Paris

Beginning tomorrow, smoking will be banned in all public restaurants, bars and cafes in Paris, a city where smoking is as much a part of the culture as an addiction.

December 31, 2007 - International Herald Tribune

The German Urban Planning Workhorse

One German planner's influence has been seen in projects across the world. Now he's refocusing his eyes on his home country.

December 30, 2007 - Der Spiegel

Height Restrictions May Be Lifted In Paris

This report from NPR looks at plans in Paris that could lift building height restrictions and dramatically alter the city's skyline.

December 29, 2007 - NPR

New Car 'Carbon Fee/Rebate' Takes Effect In France

Come January 1, new car buyers in France may be charged a hefty carbon fee, or conversely, receive a carbon rebate, depending upon the emissions of the vehicle they purchase. The fee/rebate is strikingly similar to a twice-failed California bill.

December 15, 2007 - Yahoo News

Friday Funny: Payback For The Parking Czar

The head of traffic and parking enforcement in Rome, Italy was fired after parking illegally using a fraudulent handicapped permit.

December 14, 2007 - Reuters

City of Lighting

The urban lighting artist responsible for illuminating hundreds of Parisian landmarks tackles one last challenge before retiring: the Notre Dame Cathedral.

December 14, 2007 - The Globe & Mail

Spanish Government To Green Houses

Officials in Spain have announced billion-dollars plans to help homeowners retrofit and renovate houses to be more energy efficient.

December 13, 2007 - Reuters

The Marseille Model

As racial tensions erupt across France, the diverse city of Marseille has remained calm. Many look to it as a model for the future of an increasingly ethnically-mixed France and Europe.

December 12, 2007 - Smithsonian Magazine

Selling The Garden City That Isn't A Garden City

This article from the Warsaw Business Journal looks at how the concept of the Garden City is gladly embraced by developers to market their housing projects, but rarely are its design characteristics included in the actual development.

December 10, 2007 - Warsaw Business Journal

Tapping The Power Of The Desert Sun

The European Union and the desert countries of Northern Africa may form a collaborative effort to harvest solar energy in the desert areas. The solar power effort could power about one-sixth of Europe if it goes through.

December 6, 2007 - The Guardian

Friday Funny: It's All About Horsepower

Fuel costs, environmental concerns, and striking transport workers are reviving interest in horse-driven vehicles in some French towns.

November 30, 2007 - Reuters

Architecture's Role In Berlin's Revival

Big-name and big-idea architecture is leading the revival of Berlin into one of the world's cultural capitals.

November 27, 2007 - The Times (New Zealand)

Europe Takes A More Discerning Look At Wind Energy

Wind energy has matured in Europe and US to the point where it can be compared to other competing energy sources. While still encouraging its use, governments are now considering the disadvantages associated with this carbon-free energy source.

November 26, 2007 - The New York Times

New York And Berlin In Parallel

The development patterns of New York and Berlin have some striking similarities, according to a new exhibition looking at the circumstances influencing each of the cities.

November 20, 2007 - The New York Times

The World Beneath Paris

An extensive tunnel system exists beneath the city of Paris, playing a major infrastructural role, but also serving as an interesting tourist attraction and look at the underbelly of the historic city.

November 18, 2007 - Smithsonian Magazine

High-Rise Proposals Spur Outrage In Paris

Officials in Paris plan to unveil sketches of high-rise developments proposed for the outer rings of the city -- a development type nearly two-thirds of Parisians oppose. Many argue that the aesthetic focus shortchanges social concerns in the city.

November 13, 2007 - The Guardian

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.