Public Health

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 Agriculture

Crisis Could Result in a More Sustainable Food System

The food system, from supply to distribution and consumption, is undergoing a rapid transformation. Community supported agriculture could potentially benefit.

May 12, 2020 - NPR

Coronavirus and Lime

Can the Scooter Business Outlast the Coronavirus?

It's the end of the scooter as we know it.

May 11, 2020 - Smart Cities Dive

pedestrians in a Time of Coronavirus

Vehicles Restrictions for COVID-19 Made Permanent for Seattle Streets

The temporary measures of the coronavirus pandemic are being made permanent fixtures on 20 miles of streets in Seattle.

May 10, 2020 - The Seattle Times

Stay-at-Home Orders

After the Plague: Go Big or Go Backwards?

Among unwelcome lessons of COVID-19 is growing evidence of what was already broken in politics and business. Ben Brown looks at making bold changes in order to improve the lives of the left out and left behind.

May 10, 2020 - PlaceShakers

Washington D.C. - The White House

White House Shelves Reopening Guidelines Prepared by CDC

President Trump wants states to reopen businesses quickly but doesn't want to have the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention provide directions to business owners and transit agencies on how to open without spreading the coronavirus.

May 10, 2020 - Associated Press

Coronavirus Social Distancing

Reopening Main Street

A Long Beach-based urban design firm shares design tips for reopening main streets while balancing public health and economic concerns—making space for parklets, pedestrians, and al fresco dining.

May 10, 2020 - studioneleven

Adaptive Reuse

Task Force Would Ensure Social Justice in COVID-19 Response in Pittsburgh

If approved by the Pittsbugh City Council, the proposed Greater Pittsburgh Covid-19 Racial Equity Task Force would work toward more equitable distribution of economic and public health resources, during the coronavirus pandemic and after.

May 8, 2020 - Trib Live

Street Vendor

Street Vendors Rally for Rent Cancelation in Los Angeles

Street vendors gathered in front of the Los Angeles County Department of Public Works in a May Day action to their make demands heard.

May 7, 2020 - Streetsblog Los Angeles

Los Angeles Little Tokyo

The Four Horsemen of the 'Fiscal' Apocalypse

Rick Cole identifies the Four Horsemen of the 'Fiscal' Apocalypse: Cratering Revenue, Neglected Infrastructure, Pension Debt, and Community Need, as heralds ushering the reinvention of city services to meet the needs of today’s urban realities.

May 5, 2020 - The Planning Report

Coronavirus

Poll: One-Third of Americans Thinking of Moving to Less Densely Populated Areas

In the midst of the pandemic, Americans are expressing a new preference for less crowded spaces, according to the results of a Harris Poll conducted last week.

May 5, 2020 - Axios

Social Distancing

Report: Expect to Live with Two More Years of Social Distancing

As a majority of states relax stay-at-home restrictions, a prestigious team of experts from the University of Minnesota, Harvard and Tulane universities warns that the coronavirus will likely last 18 to 24 more months, returning in successive waves.

May 4, 2020 - CNN

East Harlem

Urbanism Pays the Price for High COVID Death Toll in New York and New Jersey

Opponents of dense housing and public transit have seized on the disproportionate death toll originating from the epicenter of the nation's coronavirus outbreak. Is it time for the leaders of New York and New Jersey to admit they acted late?

April 30, 2020 - Slate

Chicago River

COVID-19 and Big, Dense Cities That Aren't New York

As in metropolitan New York, big, dense cities don't always suffer from coronavirus to a greater extent than their car-oriented suburbs.

April 28, 2020 - Michael Lewyn

Coronavirus COVID-19

States to Train Public Health Armies to Move Beyond Mitigation to Containment

As some governors open nonessential businesses, subjecting workers and customers to potential viral infection, others move beyond social distancing to the next steps, boxing in the coronavirus with testing, contact tracing, isolation, and quarantine.

April 27, 2020 - The Washington Post

Social Distancing

Coronavirus Spreading to the White, Trump-Voting Suburbs

The spread of coronavirus doesn't fit a tidy demographic narrative, according to new analysis by William Frey.

April 23, 2020 - Brookings

New York City Homelessness

Late Action, Local Opposition Frustrate Emergency Homeless Shelter Plans

Some progress, but not nearly enough, has been reported as California and its cities scramble to procure temporary shelters to house homeless people during the pandemic.

April 23, 2020 - James Brasuell

Santa Monica Route 66

A Canary in the Coal Mine for All Cities? Santa Monica City Manager Steps Down

Rick Cole discusses the existential challenges cities must grapple to be a leading city in the 21st century, Santa Monica's achievements during his five years as city manager, and the sacrifices that will be made as the city endures COVID-19.

April 22, 2020 - The Planning Report

Louisiana COVID-19

'Glaring' Racial Disparities Revealed in Louisiana COVID-19 Data

New data from the Louisiana Department of Health provide the most detailed look at the disparate impacts of the coronavirus across racial lines.

April 22, 2020 - NOLA.com

Road Closure

State and Local Border Restrictions Draw Legal Scrutiny

Some call restrictions at state and county borders necessary to protect the public health of communities. Others call them unconstitutional.

April 20, 2020 - The Washington Post

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.