Europe
The Voyage of the Woonerf
Writing in The New York Times, Paul Hockenos describes the revival and global spread of the "woonerf", the Dutch complete street model that's bringing shared public space to cities from Montreal to Auckland.
Why the New Digital Displays at Your Train Stop Are Already Out of Date
Near Field Communication (NFC) technology is making it possible for transit riders to get updated schedule information simply by waving their phones at "smart tags." Are digital displays doomed?
Greek Financial Crisis Inspires Inexpensive Urbanism
Vivian Doumpa looks at three examples of bottom-up urban interventions completed in Greece, which show that a font of citizen spirit and ingenuity can help overcome the most draconian austerity measures.
9 Ways to Explore Europe on Foot
In case you need yet another reason to traverse the Atlantic Ocean, the Times has published several articles on the pleasures of walking through Europe.
World Bank: Carbon Pricing Key to Tackling Climate Change and Poverty
World Bank President Jim Yong Kim explains why climate change is a poverty issue - and why we must tackle it today to ensure that carbon emissions do not continue rising after 2016. Establishing a world price on carbon will be difficult to achieve.
Copenhagen Zeroes In on Carbon-Neutral Goal
Justin Gerdes discusses the variety of tactics the city of Copenhagen is utilizing in its march to become the world's first carbon-neutral capital by 2025.
Russia Takes its Own Route to Auto Efficiency
Vehicles driven by Russia's abundant supplies of natural gas put hybrids to shame with their mileage per gallon. Gazprom is betting that it can expand the market for such vehicles beyond the country's lower-income and rural drivers.
At this Drive-In Cafe, Enjoy a Coffee Without Leaving Your Bike
As part of a plan to encourage non-motorized transport in Zurich, the city is experimenting with amenities designed to attract cyclists, including a rethink of a classic symbol of American car culture - the drive-in restaurant.
New Study is First to Show that Traffic Pollution Causes Childhood Asthma
While pollution from vehicle exhausts has been known for some time to exacerbate the symptoms of asthma, a new study published in the European Respiratory Journal establishes for the first time the direct causal link between the two.
Park-and-Ride: Good for Cars, Bad for Transit
A new study out of the Netherlands finds that contrary to their intended function of encouraging a mode shift to transit, and away from autos, such facilities might actually increase car use, to the detriment of alternatives.
A Ride Through Berlin's 'Underground Art Gallery'
The variety of designs found in the Berlin subway's 173 stations imbibes each one with its own unique identity. Cataloging this 'underground art gallery' has been the mission of photographer Kate Seabrook.
New Pavilion Reflects Marseille's Revitalization
A sleek new pavilion made of reflective stainless steel, designed by Foster + Partners, is helping to reshape the image of France's rough-and-tumble port city as a destination.
What Can Northern Europe Teach Us About Building Livable Communities?
In narrative and in images, Luis Rodriguez discusses the findings of a recent study tour to Germany and Scandinavia to discover the secrets to creating more livable communities.
Explore Ireland's Green Credentials for St. Patrick's Day
Kaid Benfield suggest 5 ways to "rock the Irish green" in honor of St. Paddy's Day. If you can't experience the holiday on the Emerald Isle, you can at least partake in an appreciation of the country's environmental efforts with these suggestions.
Do the Facts Support Fracking Opposition?
Susan Brantley of Penn State University and Anna Meyendorff of University of Michigan pen this op-ed to assess the pros and cons of fracking for natural gas. How does fracking compare to obtaining energy from other sources? Do the facts warrant bans?
Spanish City Offers Glimpse Into a Smart Future
While experts opine on what the city of the future will look like, Santander "has surged to the forefront of those aspiring to be smart." With 10,000 sensors collecting data and a custom app serving residents, the city is showing how smart is done.
Modern Technology Helps Complete a Building Designed 130 Years Ahead of its Time
Still under construction 130 years after it was designed by architect Antoni Gaudi, the Sagrada Familia is the longest running architectural project in the world. On Sunday, "60 Minutes" looked at how modern technology is aiding its completion.
Place Hackers Explore Urban Space to Reclaim It
Matthew Power profiles Bradley L. Garrett, Ph.D. and his "research subjects," who are active participants in the urban explorer movement, which aims to "rediscover, reappropriate, and reimagine the urban landscape."
Hollande Embraces Greater Paris Plan
To the surprise of many, a change in governments has failed to derail former president Nicolas Sarkozy's ambitious "Greater Paris" plan for an expanded transit network linking the French capital to its suburbs.
Frightening Friday: Irish Council Supports Allowing Drunk Driving to Prevent Mental Illness
Unfortunately folks, this is not a story out of The Onion. A county council in south-west Ireland has voted to support allowing rural drunk driving to help "prevent depression and suicide," reports Henry McDonald.
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.
EMC Planning Group, Inc.
Planetizen
Planetizen
Mpact (formerly Rail~Volution)
Great Falls Development Authority, Inc.
HUDs Office of Policy Development and Research
NYU Wagner Graduate School of Public Service
