Usually planners get involved in the allocation and details of creating both public and private spaces for groups of people engaged in a wide range of variety of activities.
Usually planners get involved in the allocation and details of creating both public and private spaces for groups of people engaged in a wide range of variety of activities.
Recently, I learned some basic nomenclature about people gathering from my 16 year old son that seemed interesting about sizing a crowd.
He said that if I ever get a text message saying: "Hey, we're fill in the blank. Come on by." I could expect that this many people to be there:
Event or Activity Size
Chillin' or Hanging Out = 1-3 people
Having a Kick Back = 3-9 people
At a Party = 10 people or more
Now, if we account for the normal social pressures of school, dating, drugs, sports, parents, driving and the internet, then this simple form of everyday teen communication helps teens know what they are getting into and hopefully make responsible choices. For planners, it's nice for us to know that although language might change a bit; getting people together means pretty much the same as always.
There's probably a lot more technical information that can be written on this topic about design day criteria, instantaneous capacity, square footage requirements, security and long lines at bathrooms – but I have to leave now for an afternoon ‘kick back'.
For Planners, Investment in Social Media Pays Dividends
With the right approach, social media can expedite the exchange of information between stakeholders, facilitate participatory planning, and build better places. Two case studies offer insight for using social media to connect with communities.
Social Media Becomes Force for Improving Developing Cities
Luis Alberto Moreno explores how Facebook and Twitter are improving cities in the developing world, as the governments of many Latin American municipalities take advantage of the explosive growth of social media to engage with citizens.
Social Networking for Skyscrapers
Mary Newsom recently argued that social networking tools like Facebook and Twitter don't create a "third place". But what if the network is hyperlocal, like within a skyscraper? STACKD is a new site that does just that.
Alabama: Trump Terminates Settlements for Black Communities Harmed By Raw Sewage
Trump deemed the landmark civil rights agreement “illegal DEI and environmental justice policy.”
Study: Maui’s Plan to Convert Vacation Rentals to Long-Term Housing Could Cause Nearly $1 Billion Economic Loss
The plan would reduce visitor accommodation by 25% resulting in 1,900 jobs lost.
Planetizen Federal Action Tracker
A weekly monitor of how Trump’s orders and actions are impacting planners and planning in America.
Wind Energy on the Rise Despite Federal Policy Reversal
The Trump administration is revoking federal support for renewable energy, but demand for new projects continues unabated.
Passengers Flock to Caltrain After Electrification
The new electric trains are running faster and more reliably, leading to strong ridership growth on the Bay Area rail system.
Texas Churches Rally Behind ‘Yes in God’s Back Yard’ Legislation
Religious leaders want the state to reduce zoning regulations to streamline leasing church-owned land to housing developers.
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.
Caltrans
Smith Gee Studio
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
