Academic Studies

Study: The Demographics of the Public Comment NIMBY
A new study reveals the biases of the public planning process.

Changing Travel Behavior: We Are Traveling Less, and More
We are in perhaps the most dynamic period with respect to changes in travel behavior in the past 50 years. Chose your data wisely.

Greening Vacant Lots Improves Depression
According to new reaearch, the power of green space where vacant lots previously stood includes mental health benefits, especially in low-income neighborhoods.
CEQA and the California Dream: No Marriage, Except for Attorneys
A Habitat for Humanity Project in Silicon Valley is stymied by an effective, CEQA-wielding attorney who doesn't want his home office views obstructed and more traffic in his neighborhood.

'Climate Gentrification' Is Exacerbating Economic Inequality in Miami
A new study shows that over the last several decades the price of real estate has been heavily influenced by the actual and anticipated effects of climate change.

Study Quantifies Job Access in U.S. Cities
An annual survey by the Accessibility Observatory at the University of Minnesota measures job availability, job location, population density, and the availability of transit.

Studies: Drivers Far More Distracted Than Walkers
Two articles in national publications share findings from recent studies that make it harder to accept the "distracted walking" excuse for increased traffic fatalities.

Survey Examines the Differences and Commonalities Between Urban and Rural Communities
A big new study by the Pew Research Center examines the ties that bind, and the differences that threaten to tear us apart.

Study: High-Visibility Clothing No Solution for Bike Safety
A recent study from researchers at the University of Bologna adds to a growing body of evidence regarding their effects of laws that require bicyclists to wear high-visibility clothing.
Hate Groups in the U.S. Are Both 'Concentrated and Considerably Spread Out'
A new study shows that these groups exist in around 10 percent of counties, and those counties are scattered across all 50 states.

Multiple Studies Find Ride-Hailing Contributes to Congestion and Transit Losses
Surveys on ride-hailing conducted by regional planning agencies, academic institutions, and public transit agencies throughout the U.S. reviewed by the Associated Press largely led to the same conclusion: more traffic and reduced use of transit.

Study Analyses the Airbnb Effect in the New York City Housing Market
Less "sharing economy" and more normal economy for New York City in New York City, according to the findings of a recent study.

Survey: Anti-Developer Sentiment Drives Anti-Development Sentiment
All planners encounter passionate obstructionist activity at some point. While the reasoning for anti-development is often discussed, it's still not a widely understood force in the planning process and the evolution of cities.

Is CEQA the Main Impediment to Housing Construction in California?
According to a new study by UC Berkeley and Columbia University, local land use processes, specifically the approval process, rather than the California Environmental Quality Act, is the main impediment to housing production in California.

Reevaluating Rent Control
Cities and researchers are reconsidering the effects of the controversial housing policy known as rent control.

Where's the Interest in Electric Vehicles?
Policymakers, auto manufacturers, and especially advocates are very engaged in transitioning from fossil fuel-powered vehicles to electric vehicles. The problem is that interest isn't shared by the general public, according to research by UC Davis.

Understanding Transit Ridership
A literature review of the factors influencing public transit ridership.

Peak Motorization: Measuring Rates of Auto Ownership and Distances Driven
Passenger vehicle ownership and vehicle miles traveled per person and per household remain below their historic peaks set in 2006 and 2004, respectively, but they have been on the upswing for the past four to five years, according to new data.

Southern California's Declining Transit Ridership, Explained
More Southern Californians are purchasing motor vehicles, particularly those who were previously transit-dependent, which largely explains the region's declining transit ridership, according to a newly released study.

Mapping the Collision Course of Sprawl and Biodiversity
The expansion of the built environment proceeds with little regard for the loss of biodiversity, and the planning field isn't doing enough to help.
Pagination
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.
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