United States

Bird's eye wide view of schoolyard with coated pavement.

Cool Pavements Show Promise as Part of Urban Climate Resilience Strategy

Results from a pilot project in Los Angeles show that cool pavement treatments can serve as a key tool in a city’s climate resilience strategy.

May 27, 2024 - Dr. Haider Taha

Tree lined residential street in the historic West Village neighborhood of Greenwich Village in Manhattan, New York City.

Sibling Study Highlights Impact of Green Neighborhoods on Public Health

More evidence that access to green spaces and walkable communities improve public health outcomes.

May 26, 2024 - University of Maryland

A white crosswalk painted by Crosswalk Collective LA in Los Angeles, California.

Guerilla Urbanism Spurs Action From Cities

Rather than take a hostile approach to DIY urbanism, some cities are using guerilla efforts as an opportunity to understand critical infrastructure gaps.

May 24, 2024 - Smart Cities Dive

Ornate, tan stone capitol building with a gold dome roof and low-rise city buildings in the background.

States Are Banning Guaranteed Income Programs

Four states now have laws in place that prevent cities and counties from creating or continuing guaranteed income programs, and several more have tried or are trying.

May 23, 2024 - Bloomberg CityLab

Close-up of person with vision impairment wearing jeans and white sneakers crossing yellow and white striped crosswalk with cane.

Being a Non-Driver in a Car-Dependent World

A third or more of Americans cannot drive due to their age, ability, or other factors. How can their travel needs inform our transportation systems?

May 23, 2024 - Streetsblog USA

Aerial view of a line of freight trucks driving on a country highway.

How Cities Can Lead the Way in Reducing Transportation Emissions

Decisions made at the local level can have a significant impact on emissions in the transportation sector.

May 23, 2024 - Governing

White minibus with yellow "On-Demand" logo parked in an asphalt lot with grass field and dry fall trees in background in Edmonton, Canada.

Is Microtransit a Threat to ‘Real Transit’?

A new report warns that microtransit is nothing more than a taxpayer funded Uber with potentially dangerous consequences for existing traditional transit services.

May 22, 2024 - Streetsblog USA

Close-up of back windshield of Waymo autonomous car.

NHTSA Launches Investigations Into Two More Self-Driving Automakers

The federal agency is responding to reports of crashes and erratic behavior from Waymo and Zoox vehicles.

May 21, 2024 - Smart Cities Dive

Black and white tinted photo of underground parking garage with black floor, white crosswalk, and harsh lighting.

New Map Compiles Parking Reform Efforts Nationwide

The interactive tool helps citizens and policymakers understand parking reform at a broader level and zero in on state-level legislation.

May 21, 2024 - Parking Reform Network

Acela train at Wilmington station in Wilmington, Delaware.

The Passenger Rail Revival Is Here

For the first time in decades, multiple rail projects are moving forward that could have a transformative impact on train travel in the United States.

May 21, 2024 - Route Fifty

Apartment For Rent Sign

HUD Proposal Would Soften ‘One-Strike’ Policy

Formerly incarcerated people are often barred from publicly subsidized housing, putting them at higher risk for homelessness and recidivism.

May 20, 2024 - Truthout

A city council meeting.

Is 'Hacking' a Planning Commission a Good Idea?

Does giving short shrift to grassroots tradition cut against the dynamics of community-based decision-making?

May 20, 2024 - Resurgence: A Journey via Substack

View from above of wood-frame multifamily housing under construction next to green trees.

Biggest US Housing Gains in Southern and Western States

Nationwide increases in housing stock since 2020 mirror post-pandemic moving patterns, with six states in the West and South accounting for half of new units.

May 20, 2024 - Stateline

Herd of cattle grazing in field with cowboy on horse watching them.

BLM Grazing Lands Largely Fail Health Assessment

Grazing lands under the agency’s management are not meeting its own criteria for ecosystem conservation and sustainable use.

May 19, 2024 - High Country News

Close-up from back of woman walking on crosswalk with two small children on either side of her riding bicycles with training wheels.

When Small Projects Make a Big Impact

Small, mundane infrastructure projects can make meaningful changes for pedestrian and bike safety.

May 19, 2024 - Mayors Innovation Project

Grand Coulee Dam in Washington state.

Northwest Power Demand Could Surge as Data Centers, Transportation Electrification Ramps Up

New estimates project a steady increase in electricity demand due to population growth, data centers, and the shift to electric power in homes, buildings, and transportation.

May 17, 2024 - Governing

Close-up of 'Pay rent' note in red marker on day 1 of monthly calendar.

After Months of Decreases, Rents Nationwide Are Going Up

Average rents rose by $12 around the country so far this year.

May 17, 2024 - Smart Cities Dive

Concrete building wth Department of Housing and Urban Development sign

HUD Proposes Updates to HOME Grant Program

The agency’s proposal would streamline and modernize its largest affordable housing grant program, which will award $1.3 billion in FY 2024.

May 16, 2024 - U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development

One-story strip mall with red awnings.

‘Stroads:’ The Worst of Both Worlds

An urban planning critic says the U.S. should build streets for people to live on, and roads to move traffic quickly.

May 15, 2024 - The Wall Street Journal

Green Stormwater Infrastructure

Opinion: Cities Need Green Infrastructure to Weather Future Storms

How ‘sponge cities’ can protect residents and conserve water.

May 15, 2024 - Next City

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.