Online tools designed to connect local farmers with consumers are helping sustain the local food and urban agriculture movements.
Planetizen contributing editor Christian Madera writes in Next American City about new tools for going local:
"In New York City, consumers interested in shopping for local food can visit WhatIsFresh.com to find the locations of local greenmarkets, learn about vendors, and see which foods are in season and where they are available. The site offers a searchable directory of products (from Apples and Artichokes to Wheatgrass and Yogurt), and lets vendors provide updates about their offerings and schedules – helping to connect local producers to new customers."
"For people interested in growing their own food, a growing number of sites help link people willing to work gardens with plots of unused land..."
Thanks to Julia Serazio
FULL STORY: Beyond Farmville: Supporting Urban Agriculture Online

Americans May Be Stuck — But Why?
Americans are moving a lot less than they once did, and that is a problem. While Yoni Applebaum, in his highly-publicized article Stuck, gets the reasons badly wrong, it's still important to ask: why are we moving so much less than before?

Using Old Oil and Gas Wells for Green Energy Storage
Penn State researchers have found that repurposing abandoned oil and gas wells for geothermal-assisted compressed-air energy storage can boost efficiency, reduce environmental risks, and support clean energy and job transitions.

Placekeeping: Setting a New Precedent for City Planners
How a preservation-based approach to redevelopment and urban design can prevent displacement and honor legacy communities.

San Francisco’s Muni Ridership Grew in 2024
The system saw its highest ridership since before the Covid-19 pandemic, but faces a severe budget shortage in the coming year.

Colorado Lawmakers Move to Protect BRT Funding
In the face of potential federal funding cuts, CDOT leaders reasserted their commitment to planned bus rapid transit projects.

Safe Streets Funding in Jeopardy
The Trump administration is specifically targeting bike infrastructure and other road safety projects in its funding cuts.
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.
Heyer Gruel & Associates PA
City of Moreno Valley
Institute for Housing and Urban Development Studies (IHS)
City of Grandview
Harvard GSD Executive Education
Salt Lake City
NYU Wagner Graduate School of Public Service
City of Cambridge, Maryland