Technology

Grocery Store Public Health

Who Really Needs 15-Minute Grocery Delivery?

New start-ups are promising ultra-fast delivery, but at a high cost to workers, the environment, and the urban fabric.

October 14, 2021 - Vice News

Tesla

The Ethics of Autonomous Car Testing

In the wake of multiple fatal crashes involving Tesla's self-driving mode, ethicists suggest the need for a robust set of regulations governing the testing of AVs before more of them hit the road.

October 11, 2021 - Newsweek

Delivery Drone

The Hidden Costs of Drone Delivery

Ultra-fast drone delivery promises convenience, but comes at a high cost for workers, the environment, and public space.

October 11, 2021 - The Conversation

Young man cruises on by on an empty Grand Ave. in the heart of Los Angeles.

Climate Action: As Simple as Riding an E-Bike

A new e-bike credit, if coupled with improved bike safety infrastructure, could encourage many Americans to replace short car trips with e-bike rides, reducing emissions and congestion.

October 7, 2021 - Streetsblog USA

Electric Vehicle Charging

Five Midwest States to Develop EV Charging Network

The governors hope the agreement will create jobs, reduce emissions, and encourage more widespread adoption of electric vehicles in their states.

October 7, 2021 - NPR

Boston Aerial

Big Boston Buildings Must Be Carbon Neutral by 2050

The Boston City Council approved a new ordinance would eliminate emissions from the 4 percent of the buildings responsible for 60 percent of the city's building emissions.

October 4, 2021 - Smart Cities Dive

Toronto Sidewalk

Student-Designed Cool Sidewalk Could Reduce 'Urban Heat Island' Effect

Researchers at the University of New Mexico created a sidewalk design using materials that would reduce heat absorption and require fewer materials than traditional concrete sidewalks.

September 28, 2021 - University of New Mexico

Silicon Valley aerial view

How the AI Economy is Shaping Cities

Like other technologies, artificial intelligence tech seems to be clustering in a small group of cities, prompting questions about its uneven deployment.

September 27, 2021 - Bloomberg CityLab

Smart City

The Physical Security Challenges of Smart Cities

There’s no doubt that a smart city’s network will be ultra-responsive, fast, and reliable. Can the same be said for the physical security measures needed?

September 26, 2021 - Devin Partida

School Buses and Homes

The Emergence of Supply-Side Progressivism

The American Left, according to Ezra Klein, is starting to acknowledge the role of supply-side thinking in public policy.

September 26, 2021 - New York Times

A Black woman works in a shop to prepare electronics for recycling..

Curbing Electronic Waste One George Foreman Grill at a Time

An Interview with East Atlanta's CoCo The Geek, who saw an increase in household electronic waste during the Covid-19 pandemic and decided to do something about it.

September 23, 2021 - Mark Tirpak

Electric Scooter Share

D.C. Plans More Regulations for Micromobility Operators

Operators are pushing back against new proposed rules that some say could 'kneecap' the District's micromobility industry.

September 16, 2021 - Streetsblog USA

Starship Technologies

Are Robots Coming to a Sidewalk Near You?

Since 2017, 32 bills regulating or permitting "personal delivery devices"—sidewalk robots—have been introduced in 27 states.

September 14, 2021 - Next City

Green Building

Sustainable Real Estate Investments Are No Longer Optional

Greenwashing won't cut it anymore, and investors are increasingly demanding that all real estate developments and existing assets be assessed in the most holistic way possible.

September 12, 2021 - Breana Wheeler

Rendering of aerial view of Telosa city

Why Tech-Utopian City Plans Fail

Like others before him, e-commerce billionaire Marc Lore wants to build the ideal city from scratch. Urban experts don't have much faith in his chances.

September 9, 2021 - Bloomberg BusinessWeek

Tilikum Crossing

Scooter Laws That Could Also Apply to Drivers

E-scooters are governed by hundreds of regulations aimed at improving the safety of riders and pedestrians. Is it time to apply them to cars, too?

September 2, 2021 - Streetsblog USA

Toll Road

Texas Ends Contract With Toll Road Operator

Citing "lackluster service," the department will be seeking a new technology provider.

August 31, 2021 - Houston Chronicle

Uber Car

California Judge Renders Gig Worker Law Unenforceable

A judge ruled against California's Proposition 22, which let ride-hailing and delivery businesses classify workers as independent contractors and discouraged unionization efforts.

August 24, 2021 - Los Angeles Times

Hyperloop

Pneumatic Tube Trains and AVs to the Rescue? Smarter Planning for New Mobility

New mobility modes and services have tantalizing potential, but they can also impose significant costs and risks. We need objective and comprehensive analysis to determine how—and how not—to incorporate these new technologies.

August 24, 2021 - The City Fix

A digital vaccination record appears on a smartphone in front of a blurred background showing diners in an outdoor setting.

5 Cities Leading the Way in COVID-19 Management Tech

Advanced new contact tracing measures, citizen outreach technology, and other innovations are helping these cities fight the spread of COVID-19.

August 23, 2021 - Devin Partida

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.