Urban Growth

Teotihuacan

How Ancient and Modern Cities Compare (and Why Planners Should Care)

A new scholarly paper argues that ancient and modern cities can be usefully analyzed in a comparative perspective. But what you do with the comps depends on how much you value similarities versus differences in urban form.

March 9, 2015 - Dean Saitta

Teotihuacan

Study: Ancient Cities Grew Much Like Modern Cities

Scientists from the Santa Fe Institute have discovered basic patterns underlying the way cities have always grown. The mechanics of "urban scaling" may have something fundamental to tell us about how large settlements evolve.

March 1, 2015 - Christian Science Monitor

Downtown Phoenix Skyline

Cities Growing Faster than Suburbs (But Not by Much)

Eliot Brown, commercial real estate reporter for The Wall Street Journal, writes on urban trends largely influenced by firms seeking to attract the brightest young workers with decidedly urban preferences. Mid-size and large cities are prospering.

January 5, 2015 - The Wall Street Journal

U.S. Race Map

Three Demographic Trends to Watch in 2014 and Beyond

The National Journal speaks with demographer William H. Frey, with the Brookings Institution, about the three most meaningful trends that emerged in the U.S. last year, and their significance for the future.

January 10, 2014 - National Journal

Researchers Say Two Simple Rules Can Predict Urban Growth

Is it possible to predict when and how cities will grow? A group of researchers in France say the answer is yes.

December 9, 2013 - Next City

'Triumph of Suburbia' is a Far-Fetched Story

Joel Kotkin is on a roll in the past few weeks, making the case that the revival of cities and decline of suburbs is a fraud — but his argument ignores the facts, argues Robert Steuteville.

April 30, 2013 - Better! Cities & Towns

Census: Cities Growing Faster Than Suburbs

Historically the one-year data may be an aberration as suburbs have outgrown cities for every decade since the 1920s. It may be as much a consequence of the recession and housing bust as a preference for urban living, but builders are responding.

June 29, 2012 - The Wall Street Journal

America's Expanding Cities

Nate Berg explains why recent headlines about the rise of the country's urban population shouldn't have smart growth advocates claiming victory just yet.

March 30, 2012 - The Atlantic Cities

Are Cities in Need of a Generational Refresh?

The article takes a look at the idea that stalled urban growth may be a generational issue.

March 17, 2011 - Streetsblog

Suburban Decline and Urban Growth Predicted

According to the new book, Foreclosing the Dream: How America's Housing Crisis Is Reshaping Our Cities and Suburbs, development is shifting to cities more strongly than most Americans realize.

June 23, 2010 - New Urban News

Disaster Risk Tied to Urban Growth

Two reports have linked patterns of urban development to disaster risk. As urban populations grow, these studies suggest developing countries will become even more vulnerable.

May 19, 2009 - The New York Times

Controversial Florida Growth Management Bill Spurs Call for Veto

A bill that would allow exurban development before adequate transportation infrastructure is in place has caused a stir in Florida, where environmental groups are lobbying the governor for a veto.

May 18, 2009 - The Bradenton Herald

Oregon Eyes a Tight Water Future

The municipal demand for water in Oregon is expected to increase by more than 61% by 2050, and many policymakers there are trying to figure out how to meet that growing demand.

April 28, 2009 - The Oregonian

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.