Coronavirus

Suburban Pittsburgh

Federal Rent Relief Is a Public Health Imperative

To ensure families stay in their homes and stay safe during the COVID-19 pandemic, the federal government should extend the CDC's eviction moratorium and other rent relief measures through the new year.

December 18, 2020 - Urban Wire

New York City Subway

What's in the New Economic Stimulus Package for U.S. Transit Agencies

A new economic stimulus package that appears headed for approval as of this writing will give $15 billion to public transit, far less than transit advocates had hoped, but far better than nothing.

December 17, 2020 - Streetsblog USA

2010s

Pandemic, Equity Dominate 2020 Planning News

Even with the world shut down, many California planning issues continued to be debated online, fought over in court, enacted in city halls, and realized on the ground. And yet, racial equity and the pandemic are the defining stories of 2020.

December 16, 2020 - California Planning & Development Report

Multi-Family Housing

How 2020 Changed the Rental Market

A new report by RentCafé reveals the extent of the pandemic's influence on the rental market—so far.

December 16, 2020 - RentCafé

Düsseldorf Stadtbahn

Germany Locks Down to Protect Healthcare System

Beginning Dec. 16, all of Germany will be subject to stricter coronavirus restrictions to reduce infections following a meeting with the chancellor and the 16 state governors. Schools will close and restaurants will be confined to take-out service.

December 15, 2020 - Associated Press

Coronavirus Pandemic

Why Playgrounds Need to Stay Open

California has reversed its decision to close playgrounds as part of the state's stay-at-home order after some legislators and parents complained and argued that children need outdoor play for their health and well-being.

December 15, 2020 - CALmatters

Auto-Dependency

Automobile Dependency: An Unequal Burden

Automobile-dependent planning has changed automobiles from a luxury into a necessity. Excessive vehicle costs leave many households without money to purchase essential food, shelter and healthcare. They need more affordable transportation options.

December 15, 2020 - Todd Litman

Mapping Coronavirus Infections

Top Websites for Urban Planning – 2020

Planetizen's annual list of the best of the planning Internet in a year inextricably defined by the uncertainty and constraints of the COVID-19 pandemic.

December 14, 2020 - James Brasuell

Massachusetts Bay Transportation Authority

COVID Illnesses Requires Reduction of MBTA Commuter Rail Service

To many employees are sick with COVID for Massachusetts Bay Transportation Authority commuter rail to operate on its normal schedule.

December 11, 2020 - The Boston Globe

Rental Apartments

Three Considerations for Planning for the Most Effective Rent Relief Program, Even with Limited Resources

With the upcoming expiration of unemployment insurance programs and the end of the nationwide eviction moratorium, Brookings fellow Jenny Schuetz shares insight on how to implement the most effective rent relief programs.

December 10, 2020 - Brookings

West Hollywood, California

Outdoor Dining Outlawed in L.A. County—Restaurateurs Want to Know Why

The Los Angeles County Board of Supervisors recently closed outdoor dining because of a sudden but rapid rise of coronavirus infections in the county.

December 8, 2020 - Los Angeles Eater

COVID-19

Nine Months Later: How the Pandemic Is Changing Communities

Planetizen shares the latest in a series of compendia tackling the effects of the pandemic, now and in the future, for cities and communities.

December 8, 2020 - James Brasuell

Coronavirus and Transportation

Songs About Places in the Time of Coronavirus

The latest edition of Planetizen's annual list of songs about places, for all the audiophiles with a passion for place.

December 7, 2020 - James Brasuell

COVID-19 Eviction Crisis

Evictions Caused 433,700 Excess Covid Infections, 10,700 Deaths, Study Says

A new study connects evictions to the spread of the coronavirus. Evictions continued in huge numbers during the pandemic despite a patchwork of eviction protections at multiple layers of government.

December 4, 2020 - Curbed

Ambulance

Hospitals and Healthcare Workers Brace for Influx of COVID Patients

Coronavirus infections, while at record-high levels, have decreased during the past week, unlike hospitalizations, which are still surging. Public health experts expect it to get a lot worse due to the Thanksgiving holiday travel.

December 3, 2020 - Bloomberg News

Muni Bus Overhead Wire

The Transit Catastrophe Continues: San Francisco, D.C. Forecast Service Cuts, Layoffs

Advocates have been waiting for the other shoe to drop as transit agencies deal with cratered revenues during the pandemic without support from Congress.

December 1, 2020 - San Francisco Examiner

Coronavirus and Transportation

Thanksgiving Air Travel Breaks Pandemic Records

As expected, air travel in the United States reached heights not seen since before the pandemic, but still fell well short of the norm.

December 1, 2020 - The Dallas Morning News

Pandemic Drive-Thru

Cities Double Down on Car-Centric Services During the Pandemic

The pandemic has created even more obstacles to participation in society for those without a car.

November 30, 2020 - Transfers

Coronavirus

'Seriously Delinquent' Mortgages Explode, But Don't Expect a Great Recession-Style Meltdown

More and more homeowners are falling behind on mortgage payments as the pandemic lingers, according to recent market data.

November 25, 2020 - The Orange County Register

Brooklyn, New York City

Street Art Proves the Value of Public Space

Murals do more than bring joy to onlookers. Public art can also be a source of healing, a point of reflection, and a cause for conversation.

November 23, 2020 - Bloomberg CityLab

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.