World

Global issues, U.N., etc.

Black Lives Matter

Can it Happen Here? Is it Happening Here?

An urban planning scholar of foreign conflict shares insights into how recent political unrest in the United States resembles and distinguishes from the ethnic and nationalistic conflict experienced in other countries in recent decades.

June 14, 2020 - Scott Bollens

View of sky reflected in windows of Tour Montparnasse in Paris

Office Space: So Last Year?

Did coronavirus bring certain death to the traditional concept of the office, or is it only a matter of time until we return to business as usual?

June 10, 2020 - The Economist

Southeast Asia

The Singapore Exception

Singapore, Taiwan, and Hong Kong were credited early in the pandemic with having successfully contained the coronavirus without resorting to lockdowns. However, Singapore lost its standing in that elite group. Crowding vs. density may explain why.

June 9, 2020 - NPR - Goats and Soda

Central Park Public Art

How Christo Unwrapped Municipal Bureaucracy

Christo's site-specific artworks were known for their whimsy and playfulness. But the real beauty of his art lay in his ability to navigate local bureaucracies—and reveal how ridiculous they can be.

June 8, 2020 - California Planning & Development Report

Coronavirus Social Distancing

Coronavirus Success Stories

While the U.S. leads the world in COVID-19 infections and deaths, a small group of nations defied the odds and has shown remarkable success in containing the coronavirus. NPR investigates what they share in common, with a focus on New Zealand.

June 8, 2020 - NPR

Public Transit

Staying Healthy While Riding Public Transit in the Pandemic

Despite what the CDC would like to think, some people have no options other than public transit for mobility. CityLab shares the advice of several experts on the reality of public health risk, and how to take precautions, on public transit.

June 5, 2020 - CityLab

East Rutherford, New Jersey

Report Examines the Processes and Effects of Reopening

A large-scale experiment is underway.

June 4, 2020 - Brookings

Bus Rapid Transit

Book Review: Planners in Politics

How can planners be more effective in politics? A new book offers planners turned executive-level politicians a chance to explain their insights.

June 3, 2020 - European Planning Studies

Charlottesville Downtown mall

Post-Pandemic Era of Shopping Malls Creates Opportunities for Downtowns

The COVID-19 pandemic and massive mall-retailer closings has left millions of highly skilled workers from the retail and food and beverage industries unemployed and eager to work. Many will seek to open their own businesses in downtowns.

June 1, 2020 - ASLA The Dirt

Greece

The Urban Project: Urbanization, Urbanisms, and the Virus—A Historical Take

Perceptions of what makes density either "good" or "bad" have shifted over the years, and the pandemic is likely to precipitate another shift.

June 1, 2020 - Fanis Grammenos

COVID-19 Mobility

Guide to Planning for Public Health, Published by WHO and the UN

There is no planning without public health, according to a new guide released in a moment of global crisis for both professional fields.

May 31, 2020 - World Health Organization

Bangkok, Thailand

Second Wave or Second Peak?

The terminology of the coronavirus pandemic isn't applied consistently, particularly when dealing with areas seeing a resurgence of infection after states have relaxed social distancing restrictions. The World Health Organization added some clarity.

May 27, 2020 - Reuters

California Shelter-in-Place

Recording the Quiet of Cities During the Pandemic

The usual sounds of the city have subsided, replaced by birds and quiet that at times can be eery and unsettling.

May 25, 2020 - The New York Times

Alternative Transportation

Electric Bike Sales Explode as Cities Rethink Streetscapes

North America has experienced a 5% jump in rates of cycling since the U.S. started staying home. As electric bikes enjoy impressive sales increases, cities around the world consider making the shift permanent by planning bike-friendly infrastructure.

May 22, 2020 - The Verge

Social Distancing

Greenhouse Gas Emissions Reduced 17% Worldwide in April, Study Says

A recently published study predicts a 4 to 7 percent decline in greenhouse gas emissions for 2020 compared to 2019.

May 20, 2020 - The Washington Post

Urban Planning Model

New Ideas in Urban Research

Findings from graduating doctoral students undertaking urban-related research.

May 20, 2020 - Penn IUR Urban Link

Social Distancing

Pandemic Endgame

On Monday, the 73rd World Health Assembly convenes virtually for two days. NPR's Scott Simon speaks with a WHO spokesperson about how long we can expect to live with the coronavirus that causes COVID-19.

May 18, 2020 - NPR Weekend Edition Saturday

Coronavirus Map

Visualizing the Coronavirus Pandemic

Mapping of the crisis is producing a fascinating and important trove of cartographic records.

May 18, 2020 - CityLab

Coronavirus COVID-19

Pandemic a Call to Arms for Planners

The pandemic has raised alarms about density. Post-pandemic, urban planners should fight more passionately than ever for progressive principles that make cities more equitable, pleasant, and, yes, healthy.

May 17, 2020 - California Planning & Development Report

Bike and Pedestrian Path

Fostering a 'Green Economic Recovery' in Post-Coronavirus Cities

Cities around the world are putting sustainability and climate change at the forefront of economic recovery plans.

May 17, 2020 - The Guardian

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.