As anyone who's raised an eyebrow upon hearing that Los Angeles is technically more dense than New York can attest, making city-to-city comparisons can be a confounding endeavor. Nate Berg goes in search of a uniform way to define the city.
According to Berg, a new report from the OECD
may help lead the way to more sensible city comparisons. "In 'Redefining
'Urban': A New Way to Measure Metropolitan Areas,' authors Monica
Brezzi, Mario Piacentrini, Konstantin Rosina, Daniel Sanchez-Serra
propose the concept of 'functional urban areas' that are based on
population density and travel-to-work flows. Basically, it's a measurement of population and interconnected economies."
"The authors of this report argue that their definitions could help to
create a standardized concept of urban areas as economic units. They've
already applied this methodology to each city in 28 OECD countries with a
population greater than 50,000, totaling more than 1,100 cities."
"An internationally recognized definition of urban areas as functional
economic units can better guide the way city governments plan
infrastructure, transportation, housing and schools, space for culture
and recreation," the authors write.
FULL STORY: In Search of a Uniform Way to Define the City

National Parks Layoffs Will Cause Communities to Lose Billions
Thousands of essential park workers were laid off this week, just before the busy spring break season.

Retro-silient?: America’s First “Eco-burb,” The Woodlands Turns 50
A master-planned community north of Houston offers lessons on green infrastructure and resilient design, but falls short of its founder’s lofty affordability and walkability goals.

Delivering for America Plan Will Downgrade Mail Service in at Least 49.5 Percent of Zip Codes
Republican and Democrat lawmakers criticize the plan for its disproportionate negative impact on rural communities.

Test News Post 1
This is a summary

Test News Headline 46
Test for the image on the front page.

Balancing Bombs and Butterflies: How the National Guard Protects a Rare Species
The National Guard at Fort Indiantown Gap uses GIS technology and land management strategies to balance military training with conservation efforts, ensuring the survival of the rare eastern regal fritillary butterfly.
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