Public Space

Coronavirus and Urbanism

Reimagined Public Spaces and Programming During the Pandemic

Public spaces have become more important than ever. Here are five case studies of innovative and safely designed programming that engages people of all ages and backgrounds.

November 12, 2020 - Reimagining the Civic Commons

New York Public Library

How to Build Thriving Digital Public Spaces

Much of communal life now takes place virtually in digital spaces that feel public but are not. The internet needs to be more like our public parks, libraries, and public squares.

November 3, 2020 - Wired

Seattle Coronavirus

Seattle Extends Outdoor Dining for a Year, Eases Rules on Heaters for the Winter

Outdoor dining is going to hang out for a bit.

October 22, 2020 - Eater Seattle

Pacific Ocean Beaches

Imagine Honolulu Without its Beaches

Beaches and parks on Oahu are closed to the public once again as the city attempts to control the spread of COVID-19.

August 11, 2020 - The Honolulu Star Advertiser

DJ dude

I Love the Nightlife: Reopening Entertainment Scenes

The first chapter of a forthcoming report form VibeLab, a nightlife consultancy firm, makes a variety of pertinent suggestions for facilitating al fresco events and safely regulating crowds in a new context.

August 6, 2020 - Bloomberg CityLab

COVID-19

Staying Healthy During the Pandemic

Local parks and green spaces that enable safe social distancing have never been more important to people living in cities. The Trust for Public Land has released a new report showing their importance and the challenges they are facing.

August 4, 2020 - The Washington Post

Skaters

Parks on Wheels to Deliver Recreational Services to Underserved Areas

It has been over 25 years since urban planning professor Anastasia Loukaitou-Sideris discussed the idea of "mobile parks" to meet recreational needs. The idea is still relevant today.

July 10, 2020 - Parks & Recreation Magazine

Social Justice

Anti-Racist Reforms for the Urban Planning Status Quo

An urban planner in Vancouver defines the roots of racism in city building, and calls on urban planners to be more effective anti-racist allies.

June 24, 2020 - The Tyee

San Diego Waterfront

Revealed: New Parks Master Plan for San Diego

The second most populous city in California, San Diego, wants to revolutionize its approach to planning parks and open space.

May 4, 2020 - The San Diego Union-Tribune

Lithuania

Public Spaces Converted to Open-Air Cafes to Make Space for Social Distance

The Lithuanian capital city of Vilnius has taken an incredible step in reopening for business while requiring strict social distancing practices.

April 29, 2020 - The Guardian

California Spring

Lessons Emerge as Cities Cede Public Space to Contain the Pandemic

One of the dominant themes to emerge from the spread of COVID-19 is the conflict between the need to be in nature for health and well-being while avoiding public space as much as possible to prevent the spread.

April 6, 2020 - James Brasuell

Pershing Square

L.A.'s Pershing Square Headed for Redesign

The first phases of a plan to remake the downtown Los Angeles plaza into a more inviting, accessible public space are going to kick off soon.

February 16, 2020 - Curbed Los Angeles

High Line with Denari

Recoupling Planning and Landscape Architecture

A closer marriage between planning and landscape architecture would mean strong connections between the processes of policy making and place making.

November 21, 2019 - ASLA The Dirt

Presidio San Francisco

S.F. Park Will Provide Panoramic Views of the Bay

In the northwest part of San Francisco, a new park will link the Presidio to the popular Crissy Field.

November 13, 2019 - San Francisco Chronicle

San Francisco Giants

Sports-Related Development Transforming San Francisco's Waterfront South of Downtown

The Giants announced two massive development proposals in recent weeks, and the Warriors are opening a new arena to regular season games later this week.

October 22, 2019 - San Francisco Chronicle

Dallas, Texas

From Parking Lot to Urban Green Space

The first of four new parks opening in Dallas in the next few years opened earlier this month—Pacific Plaza park.

October 21, 2019 - The Dallas Morning News

Brooklyn Redevelopment

Brooklyn Navy Yard's Transformation in High Gear

A Curbed feature details the ongoing transformation of a formerly inaccessible and inhospitable corner of New York City.

September 28, 2019 - Curbed New York

Car-Free Public Space

New Car-Free Public Space Remains a Challenge to Create

A new study from Drexel University's Lindy Institute for Urban Innovation surveys the obstacles and challenges making it more difficult to build car-free public spaces, like plazas and parklets, in Philadelphia.

September 23, 2019 - The Philadelphia Inquirer

Manhattan

Designs Revealed for Manhattan's First Public Beach

A designer was chosen in January, and conceptual rendering were released in July. Project boosters are also pushing an ambitious timeline that would start construction in late 2020.

July 30, 2019 - Curbed New York

Boston, Massachusetts

Boston City Hall Plaza Ready for a Makeover

Bostonians love to hate City Hall Plaza. That could change, as the city finalizes a renovation project that aims to transform the way the public sees the city's government.

June 8, 2019 - The Boston Globe

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.