New York

Chinatown Debates Gentrification, as Hipsters Descend

New York's Chinatown has been impenetrable to non-Chinese entrepreneurs for a century, but new glitzy bars and restaurants are beginning to push through. In a neighborhood that has suffered since 9/11, locals debate the merits of outsider investment.

September 18, 2008 - Time Out NY

Planning for NYC's Seniors

A predicted upsurge of seniors living in New York City within the next 20 years poses new challenges for the city. According to a report by the New York Academy of Medicine, however, good design and planning may be part of the solution.

September 18, 2008 - The Architect's Newspaper

Hasidic Community Wants to Ban Bike Lanes

Religious leaders In the Williamsburg Hasidic community are calling for a ban on bike lanes in their neighborhood because of bikers passing through in revealing clothing. One Hasid says, "It bothers me, and it bothers a lot of people."

September 15, 2008 - NY Post

Public Space Not So Public in Downtown New York

A new study has found that almost 30% of the public space in New York's financial district has limited access or is completely closed to the public.

September 15, 2008 - Crain's New York Business

Double Deckers Hit NYC

Double-decker buses haven't been seen on New York streets since the 1970s. MTA is conducting a trial run for a month to see if they might be worth resurrecting.

September 12, 2008 - New York Times

Ground Zero Project Shows Little Signs of Progress

Seven years on, the site of the former World Trade Center remains largely barren. However, despite delays and claims of over-budgeting, the Port Authority says new development at Ground Zero s expected to finish on schedule.

September 10, 2008 - The Guardian

Residents Worry About Lines as Burger Stand Moves In

A wildly popular New York burger stand is expanding to a second location, and many residents worry that the stand's long lines will move into their neighborhood.

September 10, 2008 - The New York Times

A Snapshot of Cycling in Upstate New York

An Albany newspaper takes a look at cycling in the Capital District: cycling is up, and advocacy groups are working to take advantage of it.

September 9, 2008 - Metroland

New York Full of Possibility for Green Roofs

The Governor of New York recently signed off on tax abatements for developers who install green roofs

September 3, 2008 - The New York Times

Bicycle Couriers Up, Motorized Couriers Down

In New York City, bicycle courier businesses are witnessing new growth, while motorized couriers struggle to turn profit in an age of rising full-costs.

September 3, 2008 - The New York Times

Community Calls for Involvement as Swaths of New York Land are Rezoned

One-sixth of the total land in New York has been rezoned under Mayor Michael Bloomberg, and some say it's fueling widespread gentrification. Community members affected by the changes are calling for more say in the future of their neighborhoods.

September 2, 2008 - The Gotham Gazette

Condo Towers Force Out Remaining Industries in NYC

A new round of zoning changes in NYC could mean the loss of over 20% of industrial-zoned land in the city.

August 28, 2008 - NY Daily News

Dramatic Dining on Broadway's New Esplanade

Cafe seating overlooking New York's Broadway traffic is popular in spite of safety concerns.

August 27, 2008 - The New York Times

Redefining Poverty

New York City is changing the way poverty in the city is defined, while the Federal government is considering a bill to do the same. Planetizen Assistant Editor Nate Berg reports in The Christian Science Monitor.

August 26, 2008 - The Christian Science Monitor

Where the Subway Ends

The New York Times surveys the end of every subway line in the city, from Ozone Park to Coney Island. At most stops, they find a gritty existence. A beautiful page of photos accompanies the article.

August 24, 2008 - The New York Times

Windmills for NYC?

In order to reduce New York City's dependence on natural gas, Mayor Bloomberg is proposing an offshore wind farm and skyscraper-mounted turbines.

August 22, 2008 - The Globe and Mail

Windmills Planned for New York Skyscrapers and Bridges

New York Mayor Michael Bloomberg has announced plans to install windmills on some of the city's skyscrapers and bridges.

August 22, 2008 - WCBS New York

Church's Development Arm Under Fire in Harlem

A powerful Harlem church that has expanded its reach into local real estate development is coming under fire from locals who say their projects are damaging Harlem's small-town character and encouraging gentrification.

August 19, 2008 - The New York Times

NYC's New Green Escalators

Escalators are major energy wasters, so many cities are looking for greener solutions. 35 new green escalators were recently installed in the New York Subway, with mixed success.

August 13, 2008 - The New York Times

Talking Head Designs Bike Rack

David Byrne, an avid cyclist in Manhattan, was asked to judge a bike rack design contest. Instead, he made his own designs, which have quickly gone up around the city.

August 13, 2008 - The New York Times

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.