World

Global issues, U.N., etc.

Another Fire, Yet Still More Homes

With two major fires in four years, San Diego County officials are trying to evaluate their options. Though many acknowledge that the battle against forest fires is a losing one, there are no proposals to restrict home building in fire prone areas.

October 29, 2007 - The New York Times

Earth Headed For Environmental 'Tipping Point'

A recent 540-page report from the United Nations outlines the mega-problem of climate change, warning that failure to act may cause irreversible damage.

October 27, 2007 - The Windsor Star

The Sustainability Century

Leading climate change scientist Tim Flannery talks about impact of global warming, the silencing of science, micro wind turbines, geothermal energy, compressed-air cars and what the California fires have in common with those in Greece and Australia.

October 26, 2007 - Democracy Now

The Beauty Of Parking Garages

Most people think of parking garages as ugly behemoths that perform a necessary evil, but one author and architect has a different way of looking at them.

October 26, 2007 - International Herald Tribune

Cementing The Road To Climate Change

The booming production and use of cement is the single largest material contributor to climate change.

October 24, 2007 - International Herald Tribune

Cities Also To Blame In Warming

With many studies expounding on the urban 'heat island' effect, it seems that global climate change can be blamed on cities just as much as suburbs -- if not more so. Joel Kotkin and Ali Modarres explain, and propose a greener suburb for the future.

October 23, 2007 - The Washington Post

Instant Shelter For Disaster Areas

This slideshow from Wired shows some examples of temporary, quick-build housing that can be used in post-disaster situations.

October 23, 2007 - Wired

The Future Of Water

This article from The New York Times Magazine takes an in-depth look at the water shortages facing the country.

October 23, 2007 - The New York Times Magazine

Planning for 'Sustainable Retreat'

Controversial scientist James Lovelock is convinced that current conceptions of "sustainable development" are hopelessly wrongheaded. We're facing a climate catastrophe, he believes, and only radical solutions will be up to the challenge.

October 22, 2007 - Rolling Stone Magazine

Northern Deep-Sea Ports Eyed as Arctic Melts

Climate change is bringing year-round ice-free shipping between Canada and Russia, which could change international trade routes and boost the fortunes of Churchill, Manitoba.

October 18, 2007 - The Globe & Mail

The Seductions of 'Big'

The 164-story Barj Dubai is just one of many examples of architecture's new obsession with enormous buildings. While undeniably spectacular, these structures also raise questions about their social and environmental sustainability.

October 16, 2007 - The Globe & Mail

The Physical Footprint Of The World's Biggest Retailers

This graph from Good shows the acreage of some of the world's biggest retailers, including McDonald's, 7-11, and Wal-Mart.

October 13, 2007 - Good

Friday Funny: Street Signs Tell Tale Of Love

This video from Do The Green Thing tells the tale of Gusty and Ford -- a street-sign love story that only came to be because of a fortuitous decision one day to walk instead of drive.

October 12, 2007 - Do The Green Thing

Friday Funny: Building Industry Safety Blunders Hall Of Shame

The Building website invites readers to send in pictures of construction safety blunders.

October 12, 2007 - Building

To Military Planners, 'Cities are the Problem'

Nick Turse reports on the recent "Joint Urban Operations" conference, where participants discussed the highly advanced military technologies being contemplated for use in the slums of the global south.

October 12, 2007 - Tom Dispatch

A Discussion With Open Architecture Network Founder

In this short video, Wired's Adam Rogers talks with Cameron Sinclair of the Open Architecture Network.

October 12, 2007 - Wired Science

Floating Ice, Sinking Cities?

The unexpectedly rapid melting of glacier ice in Greenland has scientists worried that it may be only years -- not centuries -- before rising sea levels begin to affect coastal cities like New York.

October 12, 2007 - AlterNet

Why Biking Doesn't Mean Dying

This blog post from Grist looks at the often unjustifiable fear associated with biking. Author Alan Durning discusses injury rates and offers advice on how cyclists can pedal their way through cities without being killed.

October 11, 2007 - Grist

Ten Principles for Sustainable City Governance

Scandinavian think tank Monday Morning interviews 50 global experts to develop a series of principles for creating a sustainable city.

October 9, 2007 - Monday Morning / Danish Ministry of the Environment

More Lanes Mean More Emissions

As Seattle considers a plan to spend more than $17 billion on road and transit projects, the Sightline Institute looks at how the city's greenhouse-gas emissions would increase if a new land of highway is built.

October 8, 2007 - Sightline Institute

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.