Urbanism

Realizing Fast-Forward Urbanism

Top-down and bottom-up planning are brushed aside in favor of the concept of a middle ground approach in the new book "Fast-Forward Urbanism: Rethinking Architecture's Engagement with the City". It could work, according to this review.

June 14, 2011 - The Architect's Newspaper

The Importance of Corners

Chuck Wolfe focuses on the role of the urban corner, terming it "the central place of urban life".

June 13, 2011 - The Huffington Post

New Urbanism's Young Adherents Keep it Fresh

Writing on the recent Congress for the New Urbanism annual meeting, Grist's Sarah Goodyear finds some new ideas in a field that's gradually integrated itself into the mainstream.

June 10, 2011 - Grist

Green Development in Seattle Hits it Out of the Park

The project converted a nine-acre parking lot into an ambitious urbanist community, which revitalized a nearby natural water channel, added high density housing, retail, and integrated a walkable design.

June 7, 2011 - Grist

Are Local Businesses Making a Comeback?

Styled after Harper's Index, this "Localism Index" suggests that local economies and independent businesses might just be making a comeback.

April 19, 2011 - The Nation

'Streets are Never a Blank Canvas'

This essay from Pop Matters explores the connection between street art and urbanism.

April 12, 2011 - Pop Matters

The Burden of Understanding Placemaking

Scott Doyon laments his growing knowledge of what makes great places because of how overly aware it makes him of bad planning and design.

April 5, 2011 - PlaceShakers

Rethinking the Essence of Urbanism

An contributor to the Huffington Post writes what he believes is the core of urbanism as a thought and its purpose.

March 8, 2011 - The Huffington Post

The Urbanism of Making Do

Communities in the slums of India are well known for "making do". A new exhibit looks at how that spirit of innovation and adaptation plays out in these cities and how other cities can learn from them.

February 14, 2011 - The Architect's Newspaper

The Age of DIY Urbanism

Economic crises tend to manifest themselves in specific design trends, especially in the field of architecture. This latest recession has spurred the age of Do-It-Yourself architecture and urbanism.

February 1, 2011 - Places

What Does It Take to Live in 300 Square Feet?

For ninety days, Ben Brown lived out of a 308-square-foot cottage designed by Marianne Cusato. He discovered that you really needed to be connected to your community when living in tight quarters.

January 14, 2011 - PlaceShakers

Urbanism Ain't Elitist

One of columnist Steve Berg's New Year's resolutions is to explain to how supporting urbanist ideas like using cars less and retrofitting suburbs come from sound principles and aren't based in elitism.

January 12, 2011 - The Minneapolis Post

Where are the Black Urbanists?

Urbanism tends to be an interest of a small group: the young, the male, and the pale, according to Kristen E. Jeffers who wants to see more groups and more people of color engaged.

December 15, 2010 - Grist

Failures in Thailand's Shopping Mall Urbanism

Shopping malls are scattered all over Bangkok. On one hand they create a distinct urban setting in the city, but they also fall far short of creating actual community, according to this post.

November 21, 2010 - This Big City

An Even More Urban Future in Japan

Major developments have been popping up all over Japan's heavily urbanized cities. This piece from The Diplomat looks at what urban future lies ahead for Japan.

November 20, 2010 - The Diplomat

Urbanism As a Process

As populations shift to cities, the concept of urbanism begins to take on more relevance across the planet. In a recent book, author Jeb Brugmann explores what urbanism means as a trend and a process.

November 2, 2010 - Policy Innovations

Vancouver Urbanism in the Suburbs

In suburban Vancouver, a small development near a university is trying to replicate the successes of Vancouver's urbanism with dense building clusters and walkable neighborhoods.

October 30, 2010 - Grist

Can Cities Make Us Happier?

PlaceMaker Hazel Borys explores what might be the most important metric of sustainable places.

October 29, 2010 - PlaceShakers

Rappin' About Urbanism

Finnish architect Tuomas Toivonen has just released an album of urbanism- and architecture-themed rap songs.

September 21, 2010 - City Of Sound

Urbanization Multiplies The Phenomenon of Strangers

Kio Stark, professor at NYU's Interactive Telecommunications Program explains lucidly how strangers and cities are "inherently intertwined."

September 18, 2010 - The Atlantic

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.