Data

Collage of 5 GIS maps from the ESRI American Community Survey (ACS) Atlas Collection.

Explore US Demographics With the New ACS Atlas Collection

Esri's new ACS Atlas Collection offers interactive applications that visualize the latest U.S. demographic and socio-economic data, enabling users to explore over 175 curated web maps across various thematic areas.

February 27, 2025 - ArcGIS Blog

Front entrance of U.S. Department of Transportation office in Washington D.C.

Preserving Essential Information in an Uncertain World

The new U.S. federal administration may eliminate useful information sources. Planners should download and preserve key documents and datasets.

January 24, 2025 - Todd Litman

Digital drawing of person holding city skyline with wifi symbols and lines indicating smart cities or data.

Cities Awarded for Data-Driven Projects

The What Cities Works Certification recognizes cities for using data to solve real problems.

June 21, 2024 - Smart Cities Dive

close-up of person using ChatGPT app on mobile phone.

Report: ChatGPT Shows Limited Knowledge in Sparsely Populated Areas

Recent research showed bias when using the tool to assess environmental justice issues in various parts of the country.

December 19, 2023 - Cointelegraph

Aerial gondola car in the air overlooking the city of Medellin, Colombia.

Harnessing Data for Community Development

Using data and insights encourages the development of a community, offering an evidence-based strategy to directly address the needs within.

September 20, 2023 - Devin Partida

GIS map of Yosemite National Park

The Growing Importance of Location Intelligence

Location intelligence is transforming decision-making, with an increasing number and type of organizations modernizing operations with a geographic approach to problem-solving, planning, and prediction.

April 24, 2023 - ESRI, Inc.

Sidewalk

Mapping Sidewalks for Improved Connectivity

A new tool uses aerial image recognition to map a city’s sidewalks and crosswalks. Its developers hope it will aid in creating a more comprehensive understanding of pedestrian networks and where improvements are needed.

March 22, 2023 - MIT News

Close-up of two people pointing at a printed city map with pencils with a laptop in the background

Cities Need Data to Secure and Maximize Federal Funding

To secure and maintain federal funding for projects and programs, local governments need data to identify priorities, support grant applications, and monitor and track progress.

January 17, 2023 - Cities Today

Playground

How Big Data Informs Park Planning

Data analysis and research by national organizations are helping to ensure equitable distribution and provision of parks and recreational facilities.

December 12, 2022 - On Common Ground

Beautiful Pink Flowers along the East River at Hunters Point South Park during Spring in Long Island City Queens

The Built Environment in 2022: Challenges and Opportunities

As climate change, the pandemic, and a historic housing crisis continue to impact the nation, experts weigh in on the issues that could shape the future of the built environment in 2022.

January 13, 2022 - Brookings

Internet Cables

Broadband as Critical Transportation Infrastructure

The future of mobility depends on having a comprehensive, nationwide broadband network capable of supporting new transportation technologies and regulatory needs.

January 5, 2022 - Forbes

Uber App

Gig Workers Demand Data Transparency

Access to data for gig workers can provide a valuable source of information and bargaining power in a traditionally opaque and risky industry.

December 23, 2021 - Wired

U.S. Census Bureau

Debunking the Myth of the Declining White Population

Media claimed that Census data showed a sharp decline in America's white population, but the widely publicized figure reflects a misunderstanding of new data collection techniques.

November 17, 2021 - The Atlantic

Pedestrian Safety

Data-Driven Analytics at the Heart of Vision Zero Goals

Data is the key to crafting Vision Zero plans with community buy-in.

November 9, 2021 - Next City

Citibike 00001 jeh

Robust Data and Community Trust Crucial to Achieving Equitable Transit

Experts say a deep understanding of communities and access to rich local data are necessary for improving transit service for all segments of society.

October 15, 2021 - Government Technology

Hubway Data Visualization

How Data and Tech Can Support Transit Planning

Agencies can use data resources to improve their decision-making and provide more responsive service.

August 23, 2021 - Government Technology

Mapping Coronavirus Infections

How Mapping Tools Played a Role in Understanding COVID-19

A new episode of the Geospatial Revolution Project assesses how scientists used digital mapping tools to think about the pandemic.

July 27, 2021 - The Map Room

Tennessee

A Big New Crop of Cities Achieves 'What Works Cities' Certification

The Bloomberg Philanthropies certification program has added 16 cities to its growing list of cities committing to the use of data for improving municipal programs and services.

July 19, 2021 - Smart Cities Dive

Crowd

What Is the American Community Survey?

The American Community Survey offers a treasure trove of social, economic, housing and demographic data.

December 31, 2020 - James Brasuell

Moving Van

On the Eve of the Pandemic: U.S. Migration at an All-Time Low

The most recent Census data on migration shows the continuation of a decades-long decline in migration in the United States, according to analysis by William H. Frey.

December 27, 2020 - Brookings

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.