Social / Demographics

Brown-haired woman in an orange jacket walking down crowded street smiling

How the Built Environment Affects Your Mood

Humans have survived for millennia by staying together, not apart.

October 27, 2024 - Marcelo Remond

Aerial view of Macarthur Park lake with downtown Los Angeles skyline in background.

L.A. County’s New Climate Resilience Officer

As the CRO, Matthew Gonser is focused on tackling extreme heat, flooding, and wildfires while engaging the community and implementing systemic changes to build a more sustainable and climate-resilient future.

October 24, 2024 - Los Angeles County Chief Sustainability Office

Sign for Manzanar War Relocation Center WWI-era internment camp in California with Sierra Nevada mountains in background.

Rebuilding Hope: Restoring Manzanar's Baseball Field

Los Angeles artist Dan Kwong is leading a project to restore the baseball field at the Manzanar National Historic Site, honoring the resilience of Japanese Americans incarcerated there during World War II.

October 24, 2024 - LAist

Blue and white "hurricane evacuation route" sign.

Will Hurricanes Drive Away Florida’s Retirees?

Some children of Florida retirees are urging their parents to leave hurricane-prone areas for safer regions.

October 22, 2024 - Curbed

Mature jacaranda trees full of purple blooms on street in Los Angeles, California.

Addressing Tree Canopy Disparity in South Los Angeles

A new study highlights the complex challenge of addressing tree canopy disparities in South L.A., where historical environmental injustices, budget constraints, and competing community priorities hinder efforts to increase equitable tree coverage.

October 21, 2024 - Los Angeles Times

Paved Atlanta Beltline trail segment next to street with bike and pedestrian crossing sign and 30 mph speed limit sign.

Atlanta Beltline Expands Westside Trail and Redevelops Rail Corridor

The Beltline is expanding the Westside Trail with new sections, including the Kudzu Trail, while also redeveloping abandoned rail corridors, with completion expected between 2025 and 2027.

October 21, 2024 - WSBTV

Man golfing on golf course in Watts, Los Angeles, California.

A Historic Golf Club's Community Revival

South LA’s Chester Washington Golf Club is experiencing a revitalization, blending its rich legacy with modern advancements while continuing to foster community, diversity, and fellowship.

October 18, 2024 - Fore

Close-up on passengers holding overhead straps on busy public transit bus.

APTA Report Documents Transit Equity Efforts

Transit agencies around the country are boosting their efforts to serve historically marginalized communities and make transit work better for the households that rely on it the most.

October 18, 2024 - Smart Cities Dive

Car half submerged in brown flood water in Asheville, North Carolina after Hurricane Helene.

Love Letter to Asheville

A River Arts District resident and urbanist reflects on her experience in the former “climate haven” in the aftermath of Hurricane Helene.

October 17, 2024 - April Economides

Chicago police car with blue lights on stopped on street in evening.

Study: Chicago Speed Cameras More Equitable Than Police

The city’s automated traffic enforcement cameras are issuing tickets at rates more aligned with the community’s racial makeup — unlike human police officers, according to a new analysis.

October 15, 2024 - The Conversation

Aerial view of Sunnyvale Bay Trail on top of former landfill. Scenic view of San Francisco Bay with levees, salt marshes and sloughs.

Insights and Innovations from the California Land Recycling Conference

The 2024 CLRC showcased innovative strategies for transforming brownfields into sustainable, equitable community assets, emphasizing environmental, social, and economic empowerment through land reuse.

October 14, 2024 - Center for Creative Land Recycling

People running and cycling on wide paved path next to water with Singapore skyline with high-rises in background.

Singapore: A Model for Longevity and Quality of Life

Singapore's remarkable rise in life expectancy, driven by government policies on health, green spaces, and social cohesion, has earned it the distinction of being named the world's sixth “Blue Zone.”

October 14, 2024 - BBC

Two older women sitting on green sofa looking at paperwork or bills.

LGBTQ+ Elders Face Compounded Challenges in Accessing Fair and Equitable Housing

Lessons for building affirming, inclusive, and trauma-informed housing developments for older LGBTQ+ adults.

October 14, 2024 - Sydney Kopp-Richardson

Ornate Victorian home in foreground and neighborhood in Eureka, California.

Top Retirement Destinations in California: Where Affordability, Health, and Recreation Meet

These spots offer a balance of affordability, access to healthcare, and outdoor recreation opportunities that make them ideal for those seeking comfort and quality of life in their golden years.

October 8, 2024 - Los Angeles Times

Rendering of aerial view of expanded Exposition Park in central Los Angeles with multiple sports stadiums and park facilities.

Exposition Park’s $351.5 Million Transformation

This revitalization will create vital green spaces, improve accessibility, and enhance connections with community, making Exposition Park a central hub for recreation and culture in Los Angeles.

October 7, 2024 - Los Angeles Times

Woman in forest looking at plants and documenting on tablet.

Discovering LA’s Biodiversity: The 2024 BioBlitz Challenge

The BioBlitz Challenge invites participants to document local wildlife throughout October using the iNaturalist app, contributing to conservation efforts and scientific research on Los Angeles' biodiversity.

September 30, 2024 - Los Angeles Public Library

Close-up over shoulder of person holding smartphone with extreme heat warning and 105 degree temperature indicated.

Experts Call for Extreme Heat Action Plans as Communities Face Growing Risks

Experts are urging cities and counties to develop heat action plans and personalized heat warnings as extreme heat becomes a leading cause of climate-related deaths.

September 29, 2024 - NBC Los Angeles

Rendering of pedestrian walkway on hilltop at Puente Hills Landfill Park.

Puente Hills Regional Park Development Gets $15M Boost

The federal grant will help to transform the former Puente Hills Landfill into a 142-acre regional park, bringing much-needed green space and environmental benefits to the San Gabriel Valley.

September 27, 2024 - San Gabriel Valley Tribune

Green oil well pump jack surrounded by fence on a hill overlooking neighborhood.

Governor Newsom Signs Bills to Restrict Oil and Gas Operations Near Communities

The signed legislation grants local communities more authority to restrict oil and gas operations near sensitive areas and address the environmental risks of idle wells, while also ensuring the permanent shutdown of low-production wells.

September 26, 2024 - Office of Governor Gavin Newsom

People in large plaza in front of Zurich Opera House in Switzerland.

But... Europe

European cities and nations tend to have less violent crime than the United States. Is government social welfare spending the magic bullet that explains this difference?

September 26, 2024 - Michael Lewyn

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.