United States

Roundabout

The ‘Quiet Roundabout Revolution’ Sweeping U.S. Cities

Roundabouts, which can dramatically improve traffic safety, have been slowly proliferating across U.S. cities over the last two decades.

December 5, 2022 - The Washington Post

Machine spraying white crosswalk lines on street

How Tactical Urbanism Succeeds Where Bureaucracy Fails

Making the case for do-it-yourself infrastructure.

December 5, 2022 - Bloomberg CityLab

Amtrak Sunset Limited train viewed from the side passing low desert hills in West Texas

$4.3 Billion for Amtrak Expected to Modernize Stations and Trains

The Infrastructure Investment and Jobs Act of 2021 has provided funding for Amtrak to make some sorely needed improvements throughout the system.

December 5, 2022 - Smart Cities Dive

Empty New York City street during the COVID-19 pandemic with #NYSTRONG billboard in foreground.

From ‘Urban Exodus’ to ‘Urban Doom Loop’

The initial shocks of the Covid 19 pandemic have become more persistent, and it’s time to start wondering what comes next for the communities on either side of the changes.

December 4, 2022 - The New York Times

Rendering of Van Ness Avenue with Bus Rapid Transit

Some States Use More Highway Funding for Transit Than Others

A news study brings the receipts on state and regional transportation spending.

December 2, 2022 - TransitCenter

Station with rown of red Capital Bikeshare parked bikes on Washington, D.C. sidewalk

Bikeshare Ridership Up From Pre-Pandemic Levels

Shared micromobility, particularly docked bikeshare systems, are seeing record growth, but ‘scooter inflation’ may cool riders’ enthusiasm.

December 2, 2022 - Bloomberg CityLab

Multistory wood frame apartment building under construction against blue sky

The Misperceptions Restricting the Housing Supply

How local attitudes toward zoning reform hinder efforts to boost housing production.

December 1, 2022 - City Journal

Urban separated bike lane with street trees on one side and cars parked on the other

How Urban Trees Save Lives

New research shows a strong connection between a healthy urban tree canopy and lowered mortality rates.

December 1, 2022 - Congress For New Urbanism

Home Sold Sign

Freddie Mac, Fannie Mae to Back $1 Million Mortgages

Expensive housing markets are about to cross a symbolic threshold.

November 30, 2022 - The Wall Street Journal

A close up image of the exterior of the U.S. Capitol Rotunda illuminated at dusk.

Bipartisan Support for Low-Income Housing Tax Credit Expansion

House representatives on both sides of the aisle are calling for legislation that would expand one of the nation’s most powerful affordable housing tools.

November 30, 2022 - Housing Finance

View of large black SUV from behind with blurred small child on bicycle wearing helmet riding in front of car

Why Are U.S. Roads So Deadly?

Despite an abundance of Vision Zero pledges, U.S. roads remain some of the most dangerous in the developed world.

November 30, 2022 - The New York Times

Dark parking garage, empty except for one car covered with a red tarp

Advice for a Post-Parking Mandate World

After abolishing parking requirements, what can cities do to make the most of new space and revenue and avoid backlash?

November 29, 2022 - Next City

View of park ranger with tan hat from behind, ranger looking out at Grand Prismatic Spring in Yellowstone National Park, Wyoming

Western Voters: Yes to Conservation, No to Extremism

Voters in Western states generally favored candidates who support public land conservation in this November’s election and rejected extremist rhetoric.

November 29, 2022 - High Country News

The Boring Company

Detailing the Boring Company’s Poor Track Record

Elon Musk’s promised solution for congestion—the Boring Co.—has proven most successful at disappearing on the governments that trusted them.

November 29, 2022 - The Wall Street Journal

Side view of older woman sitting on gray sofa gazing pensively out of wall-sized window.

Aging and the Housing Market

When wanting to downsize their living situation, some older Americans are startled to find a dearth of smaller housing units in their neighborhoods.

November 29, 2022 - The New York Times

Amtrak Sunset Limited train viewed from the side passing low desert hills in West Texas

Passenger Rail Could Return to the Gulf Coast

Although the details of the deal remain murky, Amtrak and the freight companies that share tracks in the region have agreed to restore passenger train service east of New Orleans.

November 29, 2022 - Smart Cities Dive

Pedestrian Infrastructure

Vision Zero Successes Show a Path Forward

While traffic deaths in the United States keep rising, progress in cities like Hoboken and New York prove that, with the right resources, eliminating traffic deaths is possible.

November 28, 2022 - Bloomberg CityLab

Construction Industry

One Year After the Infrastructure Investment and Jobs Act

The potential of the Infrastructure Investment and Jobs Act is most unrealized as the federal government mobilizes the details of the $1.2 trillion bill. President Joe Biden signed the bill in November 2021.

November 28, 2022 - Route Fifty

Solar panels in a green field

U.S. Renewables To Outpace Coal and Nuclear in 2022

The production of renewable energy in the United States is on track to surpass other energy sources this year, but the nation must maintain record high production levels to meet its climate goals.

November 28, 2022 - Scientific American

View of red rock spires and formations in Bears Ears National Monument, Utah

How President Biden Can Act To Protect Environmental and Cultural Sites

A new report highlights the mechanisms the President and his Cabinet could use to protect U.S. land and water resources without going through Congress.

November 28, 2022 - The Washington Post

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.