North America
Does Density Aggravate the COVID-19 Pandemic? Early Findings and Lessons for Planners
A new study finds that county density is not significantly related to the infection rate, but higher density counties have significantly lower virus-related mortality rates than those with lower densities, possibly due to superior health care.
Anti-Racist Reforms for the Urban Planning Status Quo
An urban planner in Vancouver defines the roots of racism in city building, and calls on urban planners to be more effective anti-racist allies.
New Ideas in Urban Research
Findings from graduating doctoral students undertaking urban-related research.
The Four Horsemen of the 'Fiscal' Apocalypse
Rick Cole identifies the Four Horsemen of the 'Fiscal' Apocalypse: Cratering Revenue, Neglected Infrastructure, Pension Debt, and Community Need, as heralds ushering the reinvention of city services to meet the needs of today’s urban realities.
Staying Put to Fight COVID-19
The potential of the coronavirus to influence the way we travel and where we live is explored in this deep dive that also imagines how the world might benefit from less vehicle travel, during and after a pandemic.
Overcoming Social Distance
People are finding new ways to connect digitally across physical spaces during the coronavirus pandemic, and these temporary solutions could have a lasting impact on the way we live.
How We Learn Public Transportation and Infrastructure Lessons
"Who do you learn from?" is a question that transportation planners, particularly in the United States, should ask themselves.
Transit Ridership Dropping Due to Coronavirus; Long-Term Funding Consequences Feared
The effects of a global pandemic on American shores are beginning to emerge for public transit systems. The consequences of a drop in transit ridership could extend beyond the end of the pandemic.
Chain Restaurants and Cars Go Together. Driving Ruins Local Flavor
City Observatory research shows that urban regions where residents drive less and rely more on other travel modes have more independent restaurants and more varied dining options. Bon appetit for walking, bicycling and public transit.
'Today’s Dockless Bike-Sharing Systems Are Wild Systems'
Dockless bikes offer the unexpected and help users navigate and understand the urban environment in new and different ways.
Analysis: Parking Won't Save Struggling Commercial Corridors
Research suggests that more and more parking won't solve the woes of struggling commercial corridors, even if it's difficult for business owners located on those corridors to believe.
Transportation Trends for 2020 (And What Cities Can Do About Them)
William Riggs, assistant professor at the University of San Francisco School of Management, predicts the trends that will continue an ongoing revolution in transportation.
Walmart to Launch Autonomous Grocery Delivery Program in Houston
Walmart is planning on delivering groceries autonomously in Houston at some point in 2020.
L.A. County Plans for Electrification
Los Angeles County's Minh Le discusses the county's priorities for moving forward with recent technological advancements in solar and energy storage.
The Top Urban Planning Books of 2019
The decade wraps up with another engaging crop of highly readable and recommendable books on the subject of urban planning. There's a lot to learn, on many related subjects, among this year's top planning books.
California's Priorities for Electrification and Resilience
CEC Chair David Hochschild shares the commission’s strategy for improving the current grid system and how California has been, and will continue to be, a global leader in clean energy innovation.
Santa Monica Designs Greenest Municipal Building in the World
Amber Richane, Project Manager for the city of Santa Monica's new City Services Building, on the city's commitment to building the world's most sustainable public building.
Human Waste as a Climate Solution
Using treated waste as an agricultural fertilizer is controversial, but the practice has several climate-related benefits.
Silo-Breaking Sustainability or Real-Life Lorax: L.A.’s First City Forest Officer
The city of L.A.’s first city forest officer, Rachel Malarich, opines on her new role in facilitating cooperation between the city’s departments to achieve a more equitable urban canopy.
Oregon Congressman Takes on Federal Housing Policy
U.S. Rep. Earl Blumenauer (D-Oregon) offers perspective on the U.S. housing crisis, the scale and complexity of which he argues demands affirmative federal action.
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
