Exclusives

Urban Symmetry

FEATURE

The Surprisingly Important Role of Symmetry in Healthy Places

New research suggests there might be a "symmetry deficit disorder" in today's built environments, with significant impacts on health, well-being, and even sustainability.

March 8 - Michael Mehaffy

Transit Planning

BLOG POST

ST 2040: Envisioning a World-Class Transit System in Washington State

In February, climate candidate for Seattle Mayor Andrew Grant Houston and I laid out a vision for the Puget Sound region's transportation future in The Urbanist.

March 3 - ConorBronsdon

Mars Rover

BLOG POST

Mars Perseverance Rover and the Future Colonization of Mars

The 2020s is the decade of Mars. Last week NASA's Perseverance rover became the sixth American robot to land on the red planet, and the third visitor this month. Where are we going with Mars, who will get us there, and what is the ultimate goal?

March 2 - Pete Sullivan

Los Angeles in 1939, as determined by the  Home Owners’ Loan Corporation (HOLC).

PLANOPEDIA

What Is Redlining?

Redlining is the practice of restricting investment in areas deemed high-risk by banks. The term refers to the red color used to denote undesirable areas on maps used by lending institutions to determine loan eligibility.

March 1 - Diana Ionescu

Self-Driving Shuttle

FEATURE

Adapting Policy to Advancements in Autonomous Vehicle Technology

The public and private sector need to partner to facilitate adoption of policy frameworks to realize the AV promise nationally.

March 1 - Greg Rodriguez


California Shelter-in-Place

BLOG POST

Two Stories From 2020: Which Is True?

Have all cities lost people due to COVID-19, or just a few high-cost ones?

March 1 - Michael Lewyn

Brooklyn Construction

PLANOPEDIA

What Is Market Rate Housing?

Market-rate housing is a term used to define housing generated by the real estate market without direct subsidy. The price the market sets for housing, even without subsidies, is a direct outcome of policies and practices of planning.

February 24 - James Brasuell


Suburban Home

PLANOPEDIA

What is Single-Family Zoning?

Single-family zoning is by far the most common form of zoning in the United States, but it's facing increasing criticisms both for its discriminatory origins and its sprawling effects.

February 23 - James Brasuell

Greenwich Village, Manhattan

PLANOPEDIA

What Is Density?

Density is a controversial topic, but public opinion on the opportunities and risks of density have shifted in recent decades. To many, density now has a positive connotation.

February 23 - James Brasuell

Detroit Transit

FEATURE

Cultivating a Culture of Transit

How Detroit, historical home of the U.S. automotive industry, can create a culture of transit and the equitable transportation system its residents need.

February 23 - David Gifford

Lime Scooter

BLOG POST

Big Benefits from Small Modes

With a little help and encouragement, active and micro modes, including walking, bicycling, scooters, e-bikes, and their variants, can provide huge benefits.

February 22 - Todd Litman

Summer

FEATURE

Public Drinking in America

Regulating alcohol in the public realm.

February 22 - Diana Ionescu

Mea Shearim

BLOG POST

Latkes, Hamantashen, and Urbanism

A little pre-Purim humor (well, attempted humor anyway).

February 21 - Michael Lewyn

Economic Recovery Plan

FEATURE

A Strategic Approach to Economic Recovery Planning

Six components of a strategic plan for city and regions to guide their short-term actions for equitable economic recovery from the pandemic.

February 18 - Alisa Pyszka

Wheelchair ramp

PLANOPEDIA

What Is the Americans With Disabilities Act?

The effects of the landmark Americans With Disabilities Act are visible throughout the built environment—on sidewalks, on buses, and in almost every building and public facility in the country.

February 17 - plnz-admin

COVID-19

BLOG POST

Haves and Have Nots: Planning and the Deep Divides of the Pandemic

The latest in a series of compendia gathering news and analysis about the effects of the COVID-19 on the built and natural environments—now and long into the future.

February 17 - James Brasuell

Water Pollution Control Plant

BLOG POST

How Cities Are Using Wastewater to Test for COVID-19

Some scientists and city officials are moving ahead with a different way to track the virus’s spread: wastewater testing.

February 16 - Devin Partida

NFL Stadiums

FEATURE

Stadiums, Space, and the City

Stadium footprints are enormous. It's time to get smarter about how they are used.

February 9 - Richard Dion

Biden administration

BLOG POST

You're in Charge of the U.S. DOT; Where Do You Start?

You just got the top transportation job in the country. What are your priorities? Who are your allies? And one last question: Do you even want the job?

February 8 - Robert Fischer

Social Distancing

BLOG POST

Left-NIMBYism and COVID-19

The events of the past year shows that the law of supply and demand applies to urban housing, and that gentrification can, in fact, be subdued.

February 8 - Michael Lewyn

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.

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.

Write for Planetizen