Urban Forests

Manzanita tree against red rock desert background.

Planting for the Future: The Urban Trees of Tomorrow

How urban forest managers are preparing urban tree canopies for tomorrow’s climates.

May 30, 2024 - Wired

Chicago Lake Michigan Trees

Urban Forestry Managers Need Better Climate Change Data, Report Says

Results of a new survey suggest that there are benefits to be reaped from a focus on climate change.

April 23, 2019 - CityLab

Pioneer Square, Seattle

Seeing the Urban Forest for the Trees

It is important to focus on forests rather than individual trees when evaluating trade-offs between infill and sprawled development.

February 20, 2019 - Todd Litman

Street Design

Using Artificial Intelligence to Measure Urban Tree Canopies

Machine learning has opened a new frontier in urban forest management.

December 30, 2018 - CityLab

Downtown Dallas

Dallas Considers a Major Revision to its Tree Ordinance

Neither environmentalists nor developers like the city’s current regulations around tree removal, but there is praise on both sides for the “smart and nimble” new version.

May 18, 2018 - D Magazine

Trees and People

Putting a Dollar Value on Urban Trees

According to this study, existing "leafy infrastructure" in ten of the world's largest cities confers an estimated $505 million in benefits. Planting more could magnify the effect.

September 13, 2017 - CityLab

Seattle Gasworks Park

Seattle Zealously Protects Its Parkland

Based on a history of park-friendly ordinances, Seattle parks and urban forests are largely off-limits to developers. Landowners who flout these regulations must provide the city with an adjacent and equivalent parcel.

May 7, 2015 - KUOW

Can Urban Forests Save the Planet?

Urban forests may possess the power to battle climate change. We just have to figure out what is more important: quantity or quality?

September 19, 2013 - Mark Hough

10 Best U.S. Cities for Urban Forests

American Forests has announced its list of the top American cities who recognize the economic, aesthetic, environmental and social value of their vegetation, and work to protect and expand their urban forests.

February 7, 2013 - American Forests

Providing a Healthy Foundation for Our Arboreal Aides

As new studies show the fundamental connection between trees and human health, cities are recognizing the essential elements in cultivating thriving urban canopies. And they're enacting policies to ensure their protection and growth.

January 28, 2013 - Next City

The Benefits of Urban Forests

Poor air quality has led to an explosion of a health problems among vulnerable populations, claims the American Society of Landscape Architects. This video explains how urban forests provide environmental benefits to densely populated cities.

December 15, 2011 - American Society of Lanscape Architects

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.