Social / Demographics

Blue and white Amazon trucks parked at loading docks at warehouse.

Poorest NYC Neighborhoods Pay Price for Delivery Boom

The rise of ‘last-mile’ e-commerce warehouses — and their attendant truck traffic and air pollution — is disproportionately impacting the most historically disadvantaged parts of the city.

April 3, 2025 - Inside Climate News

Green roadside sign with white text reading "Entering Nez Perce Indian Reservation" against grassy field and blue sky.

Native American Communities Prepare to Lead on Environmental Stewardship

In the face of federal threats to public lands and conservation efforts, indigenous groups continue to model nature-centered conservation efforts.

April 2, 2025 - The Conversation

Empty street in Reykjavik, Iceland with man walking dog in crosswalk.

For Advice on Accessibility, Look to Iceland

Cities around the country installed over 1,700 wheelchair ramps in the last five years, thanks in part to one man’s initiative.

April 1, 2025 - Fast Company

Rusty abandoned oil well and equipment with prickly pear cactus next to it in West Texas.

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.

March 31, 2025 - Pennsylvania State University

SUV with small open trailer hooked up filled with furniture for moving.

Stuck, Part II: Why Do People Move (Or Not Move)?

Yes, Americans are moving a lot less, but why? In this part of my post, I drill down to try to unearth some of the reasons. It turns out they're complicated.

March 30, 2025 - Alan Mallach

People sitting and walking in plaza in front of historic Benton County Courthouse in Bentonville, Arkansas.

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.

March 28, 2025 - Emily McCoy

U-Haul truck on road with blurred grassy roadside in background.

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?

March 27, 2025 - Alan Mallach

Downtown Los Angeles skyline viewed from the northwest on a sunny day with scattered clouds.

Shaping LA’s Future: Public Voting Opens for LA2050 Grants

The LA2050 Grants Challenge invites Angelenos to vote on the top issues facing Los Angeles, helping direct $3 million in funding to organizations working to build a more connected and resilient region.

March 25, 2025 - MyNewsLA.com

Oil pumpjack in a field at sunset.

How Orphan Oil Wells Threaten West Texas Communities

Abandoned and orphaned oil wells in West Texas are causing costly environmental hazards like sinkholes and leaks, prompting urgent calls for increased funding and regulation to address a growing statewide and national crisis.

March 24, 2025 - Oil Price

High view of buildings in University City district in Phialdelphia, Pennsylvania.

Community-Led Efforts to Combat Gentrification in Philadelphia’s University City

How residents came together to fight for housing equity.

March 21, 2025 - Taiwo Adepetun

Group of older people sitting at table indoors laughing.

Building Age-Friendly Homes

Designing for the unique needs of elderly people can help them maintain social connections and mental acuity.

March 19, 2025 - Happy Cities

Park pond at sunset with Los Angeles skyline in background.

Expanding Green Spaces in Greater LA: Challenges and Solutions

Creating parks and open space in L.A. County requires overcoming land scarcity, high costs, and other challenges through strategic partnerships, innovative multi-benefit designs, and policy reforms to ensure equitable access and sustainability.

March 17, 2025 - Los Angeles County Chief Sustainability Office

Woman looking up through binoculars at birds in tree.

Embracing Spring: Ways to Reconnect With Nature and Find Joy

This spring, reconnect with nature and enhance your well-being through simple activities like observing plants up close, practicing forest bathing, birdwatching, arranging flowers, and starting a container garden.

March 17, 2025 - NPR

Burned car and home in Los Angeles after 2019 wildfire.

The Unseen Aftermath: Wildfires’ Lasting Health and Emotional Burden

Wildfires in Los Angeles not only pose immediate physical health risks but also lead to long-term respiratory problems and mental health struggles, underscoring the need for a coordinated public health response to mitigate their lasting effects.

March 16, 2025 - UCLA Health

View of Central Park lake with people sitting on lakeside rocks and NYC high-rises in background.

Public Parks as Climate Resilience Tools

Designed with green infrastructure, parks can mitigate flooding, reduce urban heat, and enhance climate resilience, offering cost-effective solutions to environmental challenges while benefiting communities.

March 16, 2025 - Grist

Aerial view of freeway in Orlando, Florida with construction work.

Disconnecting Communities: Measuring the Social Impacts of Freeways

Research from 50 major U.S. cities shows social connections are weakest in neighborhoods where highways are present.

March 16, 2025 - Next City

Tents set up by unhoused people under freeway overpass in San Jose, California with American flag above them.

San Jose Mayor Takes Dual Approach to Unsheltered Homeless Population

In a commentary published in The Mercury News, Mayor Matt Mahan describes a shelter and law enforcement approach to ending targeted homeless encampments within Northern California's largest city.

March 14, 2025 - The Mercury News

New York City city hall building.

Are Black Mayors Being Pushed Out of Office?

The mayors of New York, St. Louis, and Pittsburgh all stand to lose their seats in the coming weeks. They also all happen to be Black.

March 14, 2025 - Governing

Aerial view of Stowe, Vermont, small rural town with tall church steeple and forest and mountains in background.

New Data: Rural Remote Workers Concentrate in Recreation Hubs

Remote workers flock to ski towns, hiking spots and other popular recreation hubs.

March 13, 2025 - The Daily Yonder

Older man and woman walking down sidewalk landscaped with bougainvillas next to a brick wall on a sunny day.

Study: Walkability Can Help Reduce Dementia Risk

Walkable neighborhoods offer natural opportunities to stay active and engaged with friends and neighbors, increasing residents’ chances of remaining mentally and physically healthy longer.

March 11, 2025 - CNU Public Square

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.