The Daily Source of Urban Planning News
D.C. Bikeshare Considers Expansion
The bike sharing system that's been operating in Washington D.C. has seen success in its early months, and an expansion is planned.
Remaking a Suburb into as Small Business Hub
Levittown is the quintessential American suburb. A new proposal seeks to reinvent it as a hub for small businesses.
Understanding the World's Urban Transition
Two writers from different parts of the world collaborate to expound on the evolution of places and how best to understand the changes underway in the urban world.
Getting Off the Water Grid in Seattle
Buildings in Seattle, including a school, are trying to remove themselves from the urban water grid. More could soon follow.
Fighting Canadian Sprawl with TDRs
The TDR, or transfer of development rights, could be a way for Canadian cities to reduce the expansion of its sprawling cities, according to this piece.
Affordable Rentals Hard to Find
The housing stock of affordably priced rental units is down in the U.S., according to this report from <em>The Washington Post</em>.
BLOG POST
Using Balloons for Bird's Eye View of Community
At the GeoDesign conference in San Diego we heard mention of folks at MIT using helium balloons with cameras attached to take aerial pictures. Thinking this was a fabulous idea I decided to find out more and see if this was a technique [...]
Jane Jacobs and the Downfall of Planning
Is urban planning losing its relevance as a profession? Some say yes. In this essay from <em>Places</em>, Thomas Campanella suggests that the roots of this fall from grace lie in the era of Jane Jacobs.
When Removing a Freeway Becomes Mundane
As a growing number of communities study freeway removal, what if the decision was no longer controversial? In Long Beach, California, two city-owned freeways carry less traffic than some neighborhood streets. Would anyone notice if they were gone?
Cities Embracing Complete Streets Policies
States and local governments across the U.S. are adopting strong complete streets policies, reports the National Complete Streets Coalition. The new report rates written policies on the strength of their inclusion of a list of policies.
Major Cities Throughout History
Cities have existed since about 5000 B.C. This post from <em>Business Insider</em> looks at some of the most important cities throughout history.
Amid Down Market, Developers Try Harder to Lure Homebuyers
Single family home sales are down in the U.S., which is driving some developers to try to spice up their deals by offering incentives like new cars with purchase.
Defending New Urbanism
New Urbanism has been given a bad rap, according to co-founder Andres Duany. In this piece for <em>Metropolis</em> he sets the record straight.
The Fall of the Suburbs
In this wide-ranging post for <em>The Atlantic</em>, the NRDC's Kaid Benfield explores some of the major trends playing out in urban and suburban America, and how the suburbs are less and less the dominant urban form in the market.
Cushy Seats Matter, Says BART
The San Francisco Bay Area's BART rapid transit system is being remodeled, which requires new seats. Planners are getting riders to weigh in -- literally -- on seat comfort.
Recession-Defying Green Roofs
Despite the continued struggles of the U.S. economy, green roofs have proliferated with the market increasing 30% from the previous year.
BLOG POST
Summer Conferences with an Agenda: Ideas for Students and Others
<p> <span><span style="font-size: small"><span style="font-family: Times New Roman">Spring is conference season for many major professional associations including the American Planning Association. However, if you missed APA this year, or even if you didn’t, a number of more specialized groups meet over the summer in smaller and more focused settings. Student registrations and deals on accommodation can make these very affordable.</span></span></span><span><span style="font-family: Times New Roman; font-size: small"> </span></span> </p>
Striking Architecture for the Poor
That was former Medellin, Columbia mayor Sergio Fajardo's plan to rebuild his city, an idea that turned out to be transformational.
FEATURE
Leading Thinkers in Urban Planning & Technology
Planetizen founding Editor Chris Steins offers his evaluation of the top 25 thinkers at the intersection of planning and technology.
How Buildings Shape Our Sense of Place
San Francisco urban design critic John King has a new book out looking at how the built environment influences culture, and how the culture influenced the buildings in return.
Heyer Gruel & Associates PA
Ada County Highway District
Institute for Housing and Urban Development Studies (IHS)
City of Grandview
Harvard GSD Executive Education
Toledo-Lucas County Plan Commissions
Salt Lake City
NYU Wagner Graduate School of Public Service
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.
