New York City

Plastic Bag Fee Less Than Welcomed

Mayor Michael Bloomberg has announced plans to charge a six-cent fee for every plastic bag taken at the register. While good for the environment, some New Yorkers still don't like the idea.

November 12, 2008 - The New York Times

Economic Benefits In Question in New York Stadium Redevelopments

Stadium construction in New York that was intended to have only a small cost to taxpayers has turned out to be a major investment and allocation of tax breaks, causing many to question whether the economic benefits of rebuilding will ever be seen.

November 6, 2008 - The New York Times

Bike Racks as Public Art Gaining Popularity

Quirky, artistic bike racks are cropping up in cities around the country--a trend that benefits more than just cyclists.

November 5, 2008 - USA Today

New York City's Glow Dims

With rising energy prices, lights are dimming in New York City. Legislation in the state seeks to reduce the city's glow even more.

November 3, 2008 - The New York Times

Bicycle Infrastructure = More Bicyclists

New York City has released new bicycle counts that demonstrate a 35% increase from 2007 to 2008. Many believe this dramatic rise has much to do with the city's renewed commitment to alternative transportation.

November 3, 2008 - The New York Times

If You Stripe It, They Will Come

The most recent bicycle counts from two of America's most progressive cities, New York City and Portland, have been made public. The results are impressive as much as they are instructive.

October 31, 2008 - Mike Lydon

Real-Time Subway Monitoring

In a trial run starting in December, monitors in one New York City subway station will display the exact location of every train on the line, giving riders a more accurate idea about how long they'll have to wait for the next train.

October 26, 2008 - The New York Times

Public Art Project's Impact at $69 Million

Olafur Eliasson’s "Waterfalls" public art installations around New York Harbor's waterfront generated an estimated economic impact of $69 million, exceeding the initial estimate of $55 million.

October 22, 2008 - The New York Times

Will Praise Mean Anything for Central Park?

New York's Central Park was recently named to the APA's list of the country's 10 best public spaces. Sewell Chan wonders if the designation will really mean anything new for the park.

October 13, 2008 - The New York Times

Of Songs And Cities: Listening To NYC's Columbus Park

Jane Jacobs once said, “Songs and cities are the best things about us. Songs and cities are so indispensable.” For a long time I thought Mother Jacobs was speaking, as only she could, about two separate, but vital human necessities. Yet after another weekend exploring New York City, I am convinced the two—songs and cities—are inextricably linked. That is, truly great cities play their own songs, and after one listen you can’t get them out of your head.

October 13, 2008 - Mike Lydon

New York Families Make One Bedroom Work

The amount of young families squeezing into one-bedroom apartments in New York City is on the rise.

October 11, 2008 - The New York Times

What Copenhagen's Parks Can Learn From New York

Park planners from Denmark recently toured some of New York's parks and found much to be jealous of.

October 10, 2008 - The New York Times

Bloomberg's Third Term A Boon For Citymaking

A third term for New York Mayor Michael Bloomberg has been sold as a method to save Wall Street, but it's really more important to the city's urban planning, according to this piece from The Architect's Newspaper.

October 9, 2008 - The Architect's Newspaper

A Third Term For Bloomberg?

Apparently there are limits to 'term limits', and as New York City faces grave times due to the country's financial crisis disproportionately affecting them, the NYC Council Speaker indicated she would introduce legislation allowing for a third term.

October 6, 2008 - The New York Times

Neighbors Oppose Possible Street Sale in New York

One of New York City's smallest and least-known streets is attracting the eyes of private developers, and the city seems keen to sell. But neighbors say the tiny street is worth preserving.

October 1, 2008 - The New York Times

New York Needs a Wrecking Ball

New York Times architecture critic Nicolai Ouroussoff argues that some buildings make the city worse, and lists of some that need to be demolished. Included in his list are Penn Station, Madison Square Garden and Astor Place.

September 30, 2008 - The New York Times

Familiar Name Tops List of Most Sustainable Cities

Portland, Oregon, has again been named the most sustainable city in the U.S. in a recent ranking.

September 23, 2008 - Christian Science Monitor

The Books of Moses

Robert Moses, New York's controversial master builder, is the subject of a new series of novels.

September 19, 2008 - The New York Times

Public Space Not So Public in Downtown New York

A new study has found that almost 30% of the public space in New York's financial district has limited access or is completely closed to the public.

September 15, 2008 - Crain's New York Business

Residents Worry About Lines as Burger Stand Moves In

A wildly popular New York burger stand is expanding to a second location, and many residents worry that the stand's long lines will move into their neighborhood.

September 10, 2008 - The New York 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.