Data Collection
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.
Census Delays Release of 2020 American Community Survey Data
Due to the challenges faced by data collectors during the pandemic, the Census Bureau will not be releasing 2020 ACS data in September as usual.
Census Undercount Will Have Long-Lasting Repercussions
An undercount is likely this year, particularly in communities that are traditionally underrepresented. As a result, cities will not have access to crucial federal funds over the next decade.
Five Actions to Combat COVID-19 in Hawaii
A data-driven approach is needed to figure out how the disease has spread in the islands and what can be done to contain it.
Real-Time Art Installation Reveals the Many Dimensions of Data
Using a wagon filled with phones, an artist in Berlin demonstrated the disconnect between data and the real world.
4 Urban Analytics and Modeling Trends to Watch in 2020
Urban analytics has the potential to benefit both planners and the world. Here' are a few ways that new data-based approaches can open new levels of analysis and understanding.
6 Examples of Citizen Science at Work
A few examples from around the world illustrate the power of crowdsourcing to expand the scope of scientific inquiry.
San Diego Smart City Sensors Causing Controversy
Thousands of streetlight sensors are collecting a trove of data—from traffic counts to humidity levels—and advocacy groups say the city needs to be more transparent about how the data is being used and who has access to it.
Pulling Back the Curtain on the Smart City
Technology is infiltrating every aspect of our lives, but, according to this article, we shouldn't underestimate the nefarious role it plays in urban spaces.
Toronto's Quayside Will Be Plugged In, But the Risks for Residents Are Unclear
Technology will be part of everyday life in a new Toronto neighborhood, planned by Sidewalk Labs. But looking to the future is also raising a host of privacy concerns.
The Gig Economy for Mapping
A new startup wants to use blockchain and the Uber model to create free, open-source maps.
USDOT and Waze Partner to Predict Fatal Crashes
USDOT hopes to put decades of data collection to new use preventing fatal collisions by predicting when they might occur.
Sensors Measure Rainwater on Chicago Streets
A smart city pilot project, already in place at three locations in Chicago and on the way to two more, deploys sophisticated data gathering technology to measure the simple act of rainwater running downhill. Better green infrastructure will follow.
Philadelphia Goes High-Tech to Monitor Vacant Properties
The city of Philadelphia has deployed high-tech sensors and a new statistical model in its ongoing fight against the blight and health problems that follow vacant and abandoned properties.
'Vision Zero' Requires More Data in Washington, D.C.
Advocates say traffic safety data collection practices in Washington, D.C. don't meet national standards. They also say it will be hard for the District to meet its vision zero goal by 2024 if the problem persists.
Controversial Wyoming Law Prohibits Data Collection on Open Lands
It might take a law degree to separate fact and fiction about the law, but Wyoming has gone to new lengths to limit the access of researchers, including Jane and John Q Public, to data found in open spaces.
Op-Ed: Transportation Assets Should Generate Revenue
Scott Rawlins argues that public-private partnerships could help transportation departments turn assets into income streams. Underutilized land and data are two areas of interest.
How Traffic Data At Your Fingertips Can Create Smarter Cities
What do recent national politics have to do with transportation planning? For Sarah Goodyear, the connection is clear: it's about having access to good data for solving real-world problems.
Postal Service as Mobile Urban Data Collector
The U.S. Postal Service operates a massive fleet of trucks and vans throughout the country. Michael Ravnitzky argues that this fleet could be easily modified to collect data about the places the vehicles go.
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.
City of Albany
UCLA Lewis Center for Regional Policy Studies
Mpact (formerly Rail~Volution)
Chaddick Institute at DePaul University
City of Piedmont, CA
Great Falls Development Authority, Inc.
HUDs Office of Policy Development and Research
