Social / Demographics

Temporary Trailers Will House Homeless in Downtown L.A.
If approved, a City Council motion would mark a shift in how Los Angeles deals with a rising number of homeless residents.
Op-Ed: Chicago Intentionally Forces Out Black Residents
Illinois gubernatorial candidate Chris Kennedy made waves when he said the rapidly shrinking population of African Americans was the intended result of the city's policy. An op-ed in the Chicago Reader agrees.

Two Studies Show How Light Rail Benefits Houston
Finally, the city seems to be reaping benefits from a major investment in public transportation.

'Renewing Inequality': Mapping the Scars of Urban Renewal
A new interactive maps brings a visual reality to the scale of displacement effected by urban renewal of the 1950s and 1960s.

Falling Crime Rates Have Changed American Cities
The drop in crime in cities has extended American life expectancies, especially those of black men, and brought more wealthy people into urban areas.

The Perpetuation of Segregation
A new book describes segregation as a cycle of social structuring: segregation begets segregation.

Mapping the World's Proximity to Urban Areas
When it's said that most people live in cities, a significant portion of that number are people living in suburbs near cities. A new map shows just how far everyone travels to get to a big city.

Middle Schoolers Plan the 'Future City'
The deliverables in the Future City competition—open to children in grades six through eight—include a virtual city design (using SimCity), a scale model, a project plan, and more.
'An Adult Day Care on Every Corner:' Aging in the Rio Grande Valley
In a region where most people “age in place,” facilities offering services and socialization give primary caregivers a much-needed break.

Wisconsin Ad Campaign Ridicules Illinois to Attract Millennials
A critique of the "Wisconsin: It's more you" ad campaign serves as a lesson for anyone who throws the word Millennial around like a magic talisman.

Regardless of Cost, New York Must Rehabilitate its Crown Jewel: the Subway
Depending on what's included, the cost to rebuild the ailing 665-mile system could be $111 billion, but the city's future depends on it. A feature-length New York Times Magazine piece looks at its history and suggests ways to finance rebuilding.

AIA: Demand for High-Density Development Is Down
For the first time in four years, a quarterly survey indicates “market saturation in urban areas.”

How's the Rust Belt Going to Make It?
Americans move less than they once did, meaning that struggling communities are home to a greater percentage of the country.

Hawaii Population in Rare Decline
The population of Hawaii fell in 2017 for only the third time since 1959. High housing costs are likely to blame.

Young Adults Aren't Fleeing Cities—Quite the Contrary
Joe Cortright presents the antidote to an emerging narrative about the shifting lifestyle preferences of young adults (i.e., Millennials).

Furor Over Proposed Census Question on Citizenship
The 2010 Census included questions on race and Hispanic origin, but nothing like a question about citizenship status.

A Look at Houston's Demographic Future
Using the Urban Institute's Mapping America's Futures tool, the Kinder Institute overviews likely racial demographics in Texas and elsewhere by 2030.

Distressed Suburbs Struggle to Recover From Decade-Old Recession
Located primarily in the western states, some suburbs were hit hard by the 2008 recession and still haven't recovered. Many have seen an influx of low-income residents and upticks in crime.

Welcome to the Electric Vehicle Charging Station of the Future
But only if you drive a Tesla. Unlike a traditional "fill-up," charging an EV takes time—30 minutes for Tesla Superchargers—so Tesla provides an exclusive lounge for its customers at a new 40-Supercharger "rest stop" on I-5 in California.

How the West Got Bigger, Badder Fires
Two new books chronicle the origin of U.S. policy on wildfire, the damage that policy has done, and why it’s unlikely to change any time soon.
Pagination
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