Research
Portland State Invests $3 Million to Study Homelessness and Smart Cities
Two new research hubs will explore the intersections between homelessness, technology, and urban planning.
More Transit Agencies Partnering with Ride-Hailing Companies
New research finds that, done right, working with ride-hailing companies can save public agencies money.
Changing Travel Behavior: We Are Traveling Less, and More
We are in perhaps the most dynamic period with respect to changes in travel behavior in the past 50 years. Chose your data wisely.
A Defense of the National Environmental Policy Act
A reminder of the intended purpose of environmental law.
A New Treasure Trove of Data on Mobility Services Is Now Available for Researchers
A shared post by Regina Clewlow, CEO and founder of Populus.
Campaign Launched to Electrify School Buses
U.S. PIRG wants states to use funding from multi-billion dollar Volkswagen settlements to convert the nation's school bus fleet, 95% of which is diesel-powered, to zero-emission buses to reduce children's exposure to toxic air pollution.
Bay Area Home Prices Rise Despite Out-Migration
Kathleen Pender, business columnist for the San Francisco Chronicle, points to two reasons why home prices rise amidst a Bay Area exodus to other states. On a state level, out-migration shows California's strong but dysfunctional economy.
Another EPA Rollback, Tailor-Made for Gov. Walker and Southeast Wisconsin
Politics and economics win over public health in Racine County as the EPA exempted the area around the Foxconn's massive facility from meeting stricter ozone pollution standards, saving the company from investing in smog-reducing equipment.
National League of Cities to Study State Preemption of Local Laws
The mission of the National League of Cities is to advocate for cities—and the organization is now gathering evidence to push back on growing amount of state preemption of local control.
Study: Nonprofits, Ordinary Citizens Played Major Role in Crime Decline
As many wonder whether the nation's multi-decade crime decline will continue, research suggests that community groups and local nonprofits have played a larger role in that story than they're given credit for.
Using Drones to Inspect Urban Building Façades
Many cities require the owners of multistory buildings to regularly inspect their façades, looking for problems that may lead to injury or property damage. Drones can potentially help ease the process and cost of doing so.
Why Great Cities Need Great Universities
Universities do more than teach classes; they can help transform economies and elevate cities to greatness. UC San Diego is banking on it.
Trulia: The U.S. Housing Market Drives Regional Economic Inequality
New research from Trulia finds that an "economic convergence" of housing markets is not happening: the housing rich are getting richer, while the housing poor are getting poorer.
Study: Bad Arterials Poison Good Residential Streets
It's something we feel intuitively: poorly-designed arterial roads make for less comfortable neighborhoods. That remains the case even if the adjoining residential streets are quiet and safe.
Airbnb's Listings Expanded in 2015, but Many Don't Last Long
A new statistical analysis of Airbnb listings shows the short-term-rental service is growing worldwide, but suggests that many hosts don't stick with it. Intermittent commercial uses of residences could be seen in the planning context of "mixed use."
New Studies Reveal 5 Reasons Policymakers Should Prioritize Local Business in 2016
A raft of recent research finds that small, local businesses are critical to overcoming many of our biggest challenges. This article rounds up the new studies and what they say about why local business should be a focus of planning in 2016.
The 27 Typical Patterns of Urban and Suburban Development
Most cities around the world can be broken down into 27 typical patterns of development, according to the work of a researcher at UC Davis.
House Approves Cuts to Census and American Community Survey—Senate Up Next
The American Planning Association is keeping tabs on a bill making its way through Congress that would cut funding for the U.S. Census Bureau.
Mobilizing Against Threats to American Community Survey
Rep. Ted Poe (R – Texas) has introduced legislation that would gut the reach of the American Community Survey—one of the most useful sources of information for planning research.
ULI Launches Online Housing Resource
The Urban Land Institute just rolled out How Housing Matters, an online portal for news, research, infographics, and multimedia examining how housing affects community health.
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.
Caltrans
Smith Gee Studio
Institute for Housing and Urban Development Studies (IHS)
City of Grandview
Harvard GSD Executive Education
Toledo-Lucas County Plan Commissions
Salt Lake City
NYU Wagner Graduate School of Public Service
