United States

White public transit bus with bike on front bike rack in Nashville, Tennessee.

Report: Zoning Reforms Should Complement Nashville’s Ambitious Transit Plan

Without reform, restrictive zoning codes will limit the impact of the city’s planned transit expansion and could exclude some of the residents who depend on transit the most.

April 18, 2025 - Bloomberg CityLab

An engineer controlling a quality of water ,aerated activated sludge tank at a waste water treatment plant.

Judge Orders Release of Frozen IRA, IIJA Funding

The decision is a victory for environmental groups who charged that freezing funds for critical infrastructure and disaster response programs caused “real and irreparable harm” to communities.

April 18, 2025 - Smart Cities Dive

Aerial view of narrow two-story Chicago townhomes.

‘Clybourne Park’ Sets Stage for Housing Equity Discussions

Clybourne Park, a play exploring race, real estate, and community tensions, can set the stage for discussion on the lasting impacts of housing discrimination, gentrification, and the fight for affordability.

April 18, 2025 - Shelterforce Magazine

Two people on bikes in red painted bike lane with bus in traffic lane next to them.

Understanding Road Diets

An explainer from Momentum highlights the advantages of reducing vehicle lanes in favor of more bike, transit, and pedestrian infrastructure.

April 17, 2025 - Momentum Magazine

Real estate listings in window of Forbes Properties office.

How Housing as a Financial Product Harms Communities

Institutional buyers who treat housing as an investment product become disconnected from the impacts of higher rents, displacement, and housing instability.

April 17, 2025 - Strong Towns

Bright car headlights with glare at night.

Blinded by the Light: When Brighter Headlights Decrease Safety

Bright LED headlights can create glare and reduce visibility for other drivers and pedestrians.

April 17, 2025 - Vox

Bronze statue of homeless man (Jesus) with head down and arm outstretched in front of St. Matthew Cathedral in Washington D.C.

Federal Homelessness Agency Places Entire Staff on Leave

The U.S. Interagency Council on Homelessness is the only federal agency dedicated to preventing and ending homelessness.

April 16, 2025 - The New York Times

Logo for Planetizen Federal Action Tracker with black and white image of U.S. Capitol with water ripple overlay.

Planetizen Federal Action Tracker

A weekly monitor of how Trump’s orders and actions are impacting planners and planning in America.

April 16, 2025 - Diana Ionescu

A line of white wind turbines surrounded by wheat and soybean fields with a cloudy blue sky in the background.

Wind Energy on the Rise Despite Federal Policy Reversal

The Trump administration is revoking federal support for renewable energy, but demand for new projects continues unabated.

April 15, 2025 - Fast Company

Close-up on cardboard sign reading 'No Kings' being held up at protest at Tesla offices in Brooklyn, New York.

Dear Tesla Driver: “It’s not You, It’s Him.”

Amidst a booming bumper sticker industry, one writer offers solace to those asking, “Does this car make me look fascist?”

April 13, 2025 - The Globe and Mail

Amtrak Acela

How to Make US Trains Faster

Changes to boarding platforms and a switch to electric trains could improve U.S. passenger rail service without the added cost of high-speed rail.

April 11, 2025 - Bloomberg CityLab

Kingsbridge Armory, large hangar-like brick building in the Bronx, New York City with brick lower floors and glass/metal curved roof..

A Bronx Community Fights to Have its Voice Heard

After organizing and giving input for decades, the community around the Kingsbridge Armory might actually see it redeveloped — and they want to continue to have a say in how it goes.

April 9, 2025 - Shelterforce Magazine

Blurred cars driving down road with European road signs visible.

Inferior US Vehicle Standard Threaten European Safety

EU vehicles are much safer than U.S. vehicles due to better standards. The U.S. wants its standard to be considered ‘equivalent’ for import purposes. A European Transport Safety Council report examines the conflict.

April 9, 2025 - Briefing on Risks to the EU Vehicle Market and Road Safety of Recognising US-market Vehicles as ‘Equivalent’

Cars passing through flooded street after Hurricane Sandy in New York City.

FEMA Resilience Program Cuts Grant Funding

The Building Resilient Infrastructure and Communities program funded projects from flood prevention to power station upgrades.

April 8, 2025 - Fast Company

Corner convenience store with red awning and children's rocking horse toy out front in brick building in Queens, New York City

What the ‘Walk Score’ Misses

A popular walkability assessment omits key factors that impact different demographics and can direct development resources to already wealthy neighborhoods.

April 8, 2025 - Streetsblog USA

Two white garbage trucks stopped on New York City street.

How the ‘Direct Vision’ Design Approach Saves Lives

Designing large trucks to ensure better visibility for drivers can reduce fatal crashes and improve workplace safety.

April 8, 2025 - Smart Cities Dive

View of expansive subway station with curved roof and passengers waiting for trains in Washington, D.C.

USDOT Targets Transit, High-Speed Rail, Sustainable Transportation for Cuts

High-profile projects like New York City congestion pricing, California high-speed rail, and major transit agencies face drastic federal funding cuts.

April 7, 2025 - Grist

View of wide street in downtown Boise, Idaho with state capitol visible at end of street and blurred traffic going both directions at dusk.

Idaho Data: Unexpected Vehicle Repairs Exacerbate Housing Instability, Eviction Risk

Over 21 percent of clients struggle with transportation barriers.

April 6, 2025 - Idaho Capital Sun

Small, brightly lit bedroom with flowery sheets on single bed in supportive housing or nursing home.

A Year-Long Investigation On Permanent Supportive Housing

The New York Times reveals what’s working and what’s not in the cornerstone of Housing First.

April 6, 2025 - 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.