Social / Demographics

The Chicago Bean At Sunrise

Which States Grew and Which Didn't

Texas and Utah were the leaders in growth for the 2015-2016 fiscal year; Illinois lost more residents than any other state.

December 21, 2016 - U.S. Census Bureau

California

California's Birth Rate Drops to Lowest in Recorded History

Fewer babies are being born in the nation's most populous state, now estimated at 39.4 million residents, according to new data by the California Department of Finance. The state grew by .75 percent, adding 295,000 people in the year ending July 1.

December 21, 2016 - San Francisco Chronicle

ADA Ramp

How Equitable Infrastructure Investments Benefit Everyone

A call for the country to focus its infrastructure investments to the most vulnerable and neglected populations—and watch the benefits compound.

December 21, 2016 - Stanford Social Innovation Review

Electoral College

The Most Popular Planetizen Posts of 2016

No Electoral College needed: these were the most popular Planetizen posts from the year 2016.

December 19, 2016 - James Brasuell

Gentrification the Killer in Oakland Fire

Already, the Ghost Ship tragedy is being used as a justification for code enforcement crackdowns that will likely further gentrification. But how can we combat gentrification and displacement and improve safety at the same time?

December 16, 2016 - Shelterforce/Rooflines

Rain Umbrellas

D.C. Weighs 'Banning the Box' on Housing Applications

Washington, D.C. might prohibit landlords from asking tenants for criminal histories, at least at first pass.

December 16, 2016 - Next City

Denver

Cultural Policy in the Mile High City

Ginger White Brunetti, deputy director of Denver Arts & Venues, discusses cultural policy in the Colorado capital.

December 15, 2016 - Soft City

Northridge Earthquake, 1994

Five Lessons for Resilience

Resilience is commonly understood as the capacity to endure shocks and stresses. But for Lisa Dickson, Arup’s resilience leader for the Americas, this definition is too limiting. Jeff Byles talks with her about five key lessons on resilience.

December 15, 2016 - Doggerel

Driving

Americans Continue Relentless Increase in Driving

New data released by the Federal Highway Administration shows that vehicle mile traveled increased three percent for the first nine months of 2016 compared to the same period last year. Driving has increased continuously since April 2014.

December 12, 2016 - U.S. Department Of Transportation

Trump, Carson, and 'Inner Cities'

Both during the campaign and his victory speech, President-elect Trump referenced the troubled conditions of 'inner cities.' A Tufts professor offers advice for the new administration if it really wants to help.

December 11, 2016 - Cleveland Plain-Dealer

Mansion

New ULI Report Classifies Differences Among Suburbs

The U.S. remains largely a suburban nation, though central cities are experiencing a great comeback after years of population loss. But what exactly is a suburb? A new report from the Urban Land Institute provides answers by providing subcategories.

December 9, 2016 - Urban Land Institute

Dakota Access Pipeline

Victory for Native Americans and Supporters at Standing Rock—for Now

The Army Corps of Engineers denied Energy Transfer Partners an easement for the Dakota Access Pipeline under Lake Oahe, advising them to explore alternative routing and conduct an environmental review, granting indigenous peoples a rare victory.

December 7, 2016 - The New York Times

No Luxury Condos

San Francisco Rejects Environmental Review for Lack of Gentrification Analysis

In what could be a first, but potential not a last, the power of the California Environmental Quality Act was invoked in San Francisco with regard to concerns about gentrification.

December 7, 2016 - San Francisco Chronicle

Rutland Vermont

Syrian Refugees in Small Town Vermont

Rutland, Vermont is scheduled to become home to 100 Syrian refugees, a prospect that has awoken passionate responses from the town's residents.

December 7, 2016 - The Nation

Seattle Transit

King County Expands Fare-Free Transit for Riders in Need

The victory for homeless and very low-income transit riders is a reminder of the importance of grassroots organizing.

December 6, 2016 - Seattle Transit Blog

What Mobility Leaders Think About Car Connectivity

As autonomous vehicles prepare to disrupt transportation systems, Ford Motors President & CEO Mark Fields, L.A Chief Sustainability Officer Matt Petersen, and rideshare company Chariot co-founder Ali Vahabzadeh opine on tomorrow's mobility ecosystem.

December 6, 2016 - The Planning Report

A city council meeting.

Why Bother with Community Engagement?

What is the highest purpose of community engagement? Why do some planners go all out to hear from the public? This article dives into these questions based on nine interviews conducted at APA 2016.

December 4, 2016 - Dave Biggs

Gentrification

Friday Eye Candy: Turning Gentrification Data Into Art

Herwig Scherabon is a graphic designer featured this week in The Guardian.

December 2, 2016 - The Guardian

Polling Place

White Voters and Polarization: Can We Span the Racial Divide by Emphasizing Shared Interests?

Dowell Myers reflects on an article from the Journal of Planning Education and Research in light of the recent presidential election.

December 1, 2016 - JPER

Cincinnati welcomes artists leaving the coasts

For the founders of young art center Wave Pool, Cincinnati offers opportunities unmatched by the coastal cultural meccas.

November 29, 2016 - Soft City

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.