World

Global issues, U.N., etc.

Grow Your Own

In this excerpt from their new book, The Urban Homestead, authors Kelly Coyne and Erik Knutzen point out all the ways city dwellers can move away from industrial agriculture.

January 11, 2009 - AlterNet

Critics May Miss The Green Point of the SmartCode

Communities aren't going to get a green code implemented, or any code, without that code appealing to developers, says Sandy Sorlien. They're building our new sustainable places and infilling our old ones.

January 11, 2009 - Sandy Sorlien

Beware of Low Oil Prices

The unexpected plunge in oil prices is leading to declining investments in renewables and may prove politically destabilizing, argues Michael Klare.

January 9, 2009 - TomDispatch

People Who Live Alone Are Big Energy Wasters

A new study from SMR Research Corporation reveals that people who live alone use 18% more energy than two-person households, and 30% more than three-person homes. McMansions are, or course, cited as big wasters.

January 9, 2009 - The Ground Floor

American Architects Taking on the World

As they currently lead the way in designing the most avant-garde projects for overseas clients, American architecture firms must understand the roots of their success to stay afloat .

January 8, 2009 - Newsweek

Skyscraper Farms, Agriculture for the Future?

Thirty-story buildings used for crop-growing is a good idea on paper, but the challenges still outweigh the benefits.

January 8, 2009 - The Christian Science Monitor

TOD Q&A With John Renne and Jeff Wood

Transit oriented development experts John Renne, PhD, and Jeff Wood recently fielded questions from Planetizen readers about TOD, its current applications and its future.

January 8, 2009 - Planetizen

Cities and Cognitive Burnout

Compared to natural settings, busy urban environments can be detrimental to cognitive functioning and self-control. Well-designed, biodiverse parks are integral to counterbalancing the concrete jungle.

January 7, 2009 - The Boston Globe

Instant Architecture (Don't Add Water)

Oobject collects examples of instant architecture, temporary structures created mostly for the military to serve as hangars, sleeping quarters, or tactical command posts.

January 6, 2009 - oobject

Long Term Planning and the Importance of Soil

Degradation of soils has brought down many human civilizations. Our current industrial agriculture practices threaten the future of human existence. A 50-year farm bill is needed to guide policy on a more sustainable path, according to this oped.

January 6, 2009 - The New York Times

Down on the Corner

Solutions to our global ills can be found in your local neighborhood, says Jay Walljasper. Great examples can be found in communities from South Bend, Indiana to Mississauga, Ontario.

January 5, 2009 - Jay Walljasper

Architecture Bender Ends as Funding Dries Up

The party's over for what started out as a go-go year for architecture, writes Nicolai Ourroussoff.

January 3, 2009 - The New York Times

Top 10 Trends in Green Transportation

Inhabitat selects their top 10, ranging from DIY bicycles to the fall of the S.U.V. Notably, transit is barely mentioned.

January 2, 2009 - Inhabitat

Is Climate Change an Energy Problem?

Alex Steffen at WorldChanging turns the climate change problem inside out to reconsider whether the form of energy is the true issue, rather than how much is wasted and how we use it.

January 1, 2009 - WorldChanging

Top Planning Issues Of 2008

January 1, 2009 - Abhijeet Chavan

Suburban Planet

Adoption of American lifestyles abroad and a downturn in the U.S. economy are contributing to American design firms exporting suburbia around the world.

December 30, 2008 - Huffington Post

Growth on the Smart Grid Frontier

The business of creating smart grid infrastructure- new electrical transmission systems that can monitor flow and incorporate solar and wind power- is growing, and companies are competing for attention. This report reviews the most important players.

December 29, 2008 - Seeking Alpha

The 10 Best Commutes

Density gives cities an edge, according to this study of commutes around the world. Hong Kong, Osaka, and Berlin all rank highly.

December 29, 2008 - MSNBC

Plunging Oil Prices May Do More Harm Than Good

The Financial Times analyzes the effects of the falling price of oil on energy markets and concludes that the short term economic gain for oil consumers will come back to bite them as investments in alternative fuels will cease as will conservation.

December 28, 2008 - Financial Times

Nuclear Urbanism

A new Google Maps mashup creates a visual representation of an atomic bomb dropped on your city.

December 27, 2008 - BLDBLOG

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.