World

Global issues, U.N., etc.

China Bikeshare

An International Comparison of Transportation Modes

Access (the ease of reaching desired destinations) is a key factor in transport, sustainability, and urban planning. This new study applies multimodal accessibility analysis to 4 modes in 117 cities in 6 countries, illustrated graphically.

June 3, 2021 - NPJ Urban Sustainability

Interior of taxi with driver in Buenos Aires, Argentina

Human Movement, Captured by a 'Very Clear' Mathematical Law

The "universal visitation law of human mobility" documented in a newly published study in Nature offers predictive power for urban mobility in addition to empirical validation of Central Place Theory.

June 3, 2021 - Vice

Electric Cars

American Jobs to Build Electric Vehicles Excludes Miners

Mining jobs needed to produce the metals for processing into battery parts used to build electric vehicles in America will not be developed in the U.S. but in Australia, Brazil and Canada, mainly to avoid battles with environmentalists.

June 2, 2021 - Reuters

I.M. Pei

12 Asian American and Pacific Islander Urbanists Planners Should Know

Learn more about twelve AAPI leaders who have designed buildings and skylines, influenced the built environment, shaped U.S. history, and advocated for communities and residents.

June 1, 2021 - Planning Magazine

Chicago Bikeshare

Study: When Women Ride Bikes, Everyone Rides More

New research indicates a positive association between overall cycling levels and ridership rates for women-identified riders.

May 19, 2021 - Streetsblog USA

Seychelles

Pandemic Paradox: World's Most Vaccinated Country Also the Most Infected

Is the lesson from the Seychelles, an African archipelago nation in the Indian Ocean, that all COVID-19 vaccines are not the same? If so, that could spell trouble for other countries relying on the Sinopharm and Covishield vaccines.

May 14, 2021 - Bloomberg News

Sheep grazing on a green hillside

Is the 'Tragedy of the Commons' a Myth?

Examples from around the world showing that the popular theory often doesn't hold up present powerful implications for commons management.

May 11, 2021 - Aeon

Drought

Researchers Propose the Concept of 'Anthropogenic Drought'

As climate change heightens the risk of intense drought periods, a new framework can help scientists better understand the interconnected causes and effects of drought.

May 10, 2021 - Eos

COVID-19 Pandemic

Pandemic Endgame: Redefining the Herd Immunity Goal

So much for vaccines enabling the U.S. to achieve the cherished goal of herd immunity for COVID-19. It is becoming increasingly clear to many public health experts that likely will not happen, according to a New York Times global health reporter.

May 4, 2021 - The New York Times

COVID-19 Pandemic

Pandemic Still Surging in Parts of the U.S.

Bloomberg News' 'Evening Briefing' on April 29 looked at the global pandemic, noting the horrific scenes in India, Brazil's rising death toll, and added, "Coronavirus mutations are also wreaking havoc in America." Oregon is their focus.

May 2, 2021 - Bloomberg News

New York City

Cities as a Climate Change Solution

With the urban exodus hysteria of the early pandemic in the rearview mirror, urban apologists are staking high ground on urban soil.

April 22, 2021 - Bloomberg Green+CityLab

Book in the Park

Fourth Surge May Be a Second Wave

The CDC announced on April 7 that a coronavirus variant first detected in the U.K is now dominant in the U.S. "In some ways, we're almost in a new pandemic," said one prominent public health expert earlier about the more transmissible variant.

April 12, 2021 - The New York Times

Coronavirus and Transportation

Falling Transit Ridership 'Disastrous' for Greenhouse Gas Reductions

With ridership at record lows and agencies struggling to stay afloat, public transit around the world will need robust investment to recover after the pandemic.

April 8, 2021 - The New York Times

Public Engagement

The Six Principles of Community CoDesign

The methodology calls for authentic participation and a willingness to engage stakeholders in a "collaborative and empathic" placemaking process.

April 8, 2021 - Common Edge

California Shelter-in-Place

Predicting a Comeback for Cities

An argument for the long-term cultural and economic viability of the city, even after the pandemic.

April 4, 2021 - Vox

Pandemic Public Health

Pandemic Geography: What's Going on in Michigan?

Public health experts may speculate about whether the U.S. is headed for a fourth surge or moderate increase in cases, but the resurgence is well underway in Michigan where the virus was spreading the fastest. Only N.Y. has more daily infections.

April 4, 2021 - Bridge Michigan

COVID-19 Test

CDC Director Expresses a Feeling of 'Impending Doom'

Dr. Rochelle Walensky sounded the alarm during the White House COVID-19 Response Team's press briefing on Monday, warning Americans that the pandemic trajectory in the United States is the same as in Europe. The latter is experiencing a third wave.

March 30, 2021 - CIDRAP News

COVID-19

One Year Later, Public Transit Still in Crisis

Public transit cities around the world are operating well below pre-pandemic ridership levels, with many cutting service and no real clear idea about how and when a recovery will begin.

March 29, 2021 - The New York Times

Philadelphia Center City

A (Brief) Lesson in Planning For Psychologists

How can planners approach the emotions and psychology of urban stakeholders? Planning journalist Josh Stephens speaks with Psychology Today to give psychology professionals a glimpse into how planners think.

March 24, 2021 - Psychology Today

Bangkok, Thailand

The World's Highest Rates of Coronavirus Infections and Deaths

Brazil and the U.S. lead the world in daily COVID-19 cases and deaths. Western Europe is undergoing a third wave of infections, resulting in a new round of lockdowns, yet most of these nations are not among the 12 hotspots shown on a global tracker.

March 22, 2021 - Bloomberg News

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.