Coronavirus

Emergency Housing

Hotels Could Play a Critical Role in Containing Coronavirus in Crowded Cities

Some cities are leasing entire hotels to provide rooms for people who have tested positive for COVID-19 or been exposed to infected people, to allow for safe and supportive isolation away from family or household members who risk being infected.

May 19, 2020 - Medium – Bloomberg Cities

Social Distancing

Pandemic Endgame

On Monday, the 73rd World Health Assembly convenes virtually for two days. NPR's Scott Simon speaks with a WHO spokesperson about how long we can expect to live with the coronavirus that causes COVID-19.

May 18, 2020 - NPR Weekend Edition Saturday

Food Pantry

An Antiracist Planning and Policy Response to the Coronavirus

What would a crisis response that finally overcomes the history of slavery and structural racism in the United States look like?

May 18, 2020 - Next City

Coronavirus Map

Visualizing the Coronavirus Pandemic

Mapping of the crisis is producing a fascinating and important trove of cartographic records.

May 18, 2020 - CityLab

New York City Park

Report: New York City Public Parks Under Stress Due to Budget Cuts and Lack of Private Funding

The private non-profit organizations that support half of New York City's public parks anticipate up to a 60% decrease in funding at a time when people rely on parks more than ever before.

May 18, 2020 - The Architect's Newspaper

Mayor Sadiq Khan

London Doubles Down on Vehicle Restrictions

A plan to completely overhaul the streets of London will require a "monumental" effort by all residents of the city, according to the mayor of London.

May 18, 2020 - Mayor of London

Al Fresco Gelato

Berkeley Could Redefine the Al Fresco Streets Movement

The city of Berkeley is pursuing an aggressive plan to open the streets for outdoor dining as an economic development tool for local commercial businesses.

May 17, 2020 - Eater San Francisco

Traffic and Speed

The Commute of the Future: Congested Mess, or Massive Mode Shift?

Researchers around the world are trying to get an idea about how increased automobile trips, fewer shared modes, and high unemployment will alter long-term trends in transportation.

May 17, 2020 - CityLab

Coronavirus COVID-19

Pandemic a Call to Arms for Planners

The pandemic has raised alarms about density. Post-pandemic, urban planners should fight more passionately than ever for progressive principles that make cities more equitable, pleasant, and, yes, healthy.

May 17, 2020 - California Planning & Development Report

Bike and Pedestrian Path

Fostering a 'Green Economic Recovery' in Post-Coronavirus Cities

Cities around the world are putting sustainability and climate change at the forefront of economic recovery plans.

May 17, 2020 - The Guardian

New York Bike Delivery

The Delivery App Revolt

For many Americans living through the social distancing and stay-at-home-orders of 2020, supporting local businesses means cutting out the tech middle man.

May 15, 2020 - The Washington Post

Driving

Dangerous, Distracted Drivers Take More Joyrides During Lockdown

Some motorists see open roads as an opportunity for stress relief. Transportation officials urge motorists to slow down, citing dramatically increased rates of speeding since the onset of the pandemic.

May 15, 2020 - The Washington Post

Vancouver Al Fresco

How Zoning Reform Can Help Businesses Transition to Outdoor Operations

A trend toward allowing restaurants and retailers to expand operations to the public realm outside their brick and mortar confines is quickly gaining steam.

May 15, 2020 - The Hill

Public Transit

Predicting the Future of Cities After the Pandemic

Two more stories to enter into the archive for the great debate of the coronavirus pandemic: How will the public health crisis change the future of cities?

May 15, 2020 - Foreign Policy

West Hollywood, California

Independent Music Venues Face a Tough Road Ahead

Where have all the venues gone?

May 14, 2020 - Los Angeles Times

Housing crisis

Housing Justice Organizers Don’t Want to Return to 'Normal'

As they organize for immediate relief for those whose housing was affected by the pandemic, tenant leaders are also building power to demand long-term changes.

May 14, 2020 - Shelterforce Magazine

Homeless Shelter

Designing for Social Distance Requires Creative Solutions

Modular systems and flexible use of shared spaces are priorities as urban designers begin to consider how design requirements will change in the future.

May 14, 2020 - WHYY

Coronavirus Driver

Georgia Teens Will Require a Driver's Test After All

Georgia Governor Brian Kemp rescinded a controversial executive order allowing parents to approve teens for a driver's license after public outcry.

May 14, 2020 - The Atlanta Journal-Constitution

Pizza in Connecticut

Minimum Parking Requirements Lifted to Support Outdoor Dining in Connecticut

Connecticut Governor Ned Lamont included an historic measure in a May 10 executive order: statewide suspension of parking minimums to facilitate outdoor activities.

May 13, 2020 - Governor Ned Lamont

Coronavirus

The Great Scandinavian Pandemic Experiment

Perhaps no nation has captured more media attention in its handling of the coronavirus pandemic than Sweden. Unlike most of Europe, it never went into lockdown, relying mostly on voluntary social distancing. The state epidemiologist devised the plan.

May 13, 2020 - Financial Times

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.