Social / Demographics

A Crowded Future for the Pacific Northwest

Population growth estimates foresee the equivalent of an additional 15 Seattles concentrating in the Pacific Northwest over the next one hundred years. How the region handles this growth is up for debate, but with a distinct sense of urgency.

February 24, 2009 - The Seattle Post-Intelligencer

'The Ultimate User-Generated City'

A look inside the real slum featured in the movie "Slumdog Millionaire". The film won 8 Oscars including Best Picture.

February 23, 2009 - The New York Times

BIDs Bring Down Crime

A new study of Los Angeles Business Improvement Districts shows that private security provided by BIDs has reduced crime in these areas more than in the rest of the city.

February 23, 2009 - Los Angeles Times

Top 10 Cities for Economic Upheaval

Forbes releases its first ever list of "America's Fastest-Changing Cities", documenting the cities that have undergone the most drastic economic shifts.

February 22, 2009 - Forbes

Stop Building Homes, Stop Suburban Poverty

America's suburbs are no longer impervious to "slumming," as low income earners are forced into places that were once firmly middle class. Therefore, researchers say, anti-poverty measures should go beyond mere suburb relocation.

February 19, 2009 - Miller-McCune

Beverly Hills, Too, Loses Sales Tax Revenue

Drops in tourism and luxury car sales are among the reasons why the ritziest cities in Southern California are not impervious to the recession.

February 19, 2009 - Los Angeles Times

Americans Prefer Sprawl-Light

NYT columnist David Brooks compares the dreams for a more compact, less car-dependent lifestyle of many urban planners with the findings of a Pew Research poll on the types of communities Americans want to live in, and they are not like Amsterdam.

February 17, 2009 - The New York Times

Much Investment But Little Progress in Vancouver Slum

More than $1 billion has been invested in a Vancouver slum area, but little improvement can be seen, according to this investigation from The Globe and Mail.

February 17, 2009 - The Globe and Mail

Obama Seeks More Census Power

President Barack Obama is seeking greater control over the 2010 Census. This opinion piece from The Wall Street Journal looks at what it could mean for the upcoming count.

February 15, 2009 - The Wall Street Journal

Troubling Wall

The border between the U.S. and Mexico is being built into 700 miles of wall in Texas. Architect Lance Hosey looks at the environmental, ecological and sociological problems it creates.

February 15, 2009 - Architect Magazine

How to Strengthen New York City's Middle Class

David Giles explains the economic extremes that now characterize New York City and offers four suggestions on how to retain and strengthen its middle class.

February 12, 2009 - City Limits

Vermont's Farms Cropping Up, Diversifying

The spike in farms can be seen statewide. They are more diverse than they used to be, and probably a response from young people who "want to know where their foods comes from" and have taken direct action.

February 12, 2009 - Brattleboro Reformer

With Higher Densities Come Smaller Footprints

This article's author reports his and economist Matthew Kahn's recent findings on metropolitan areas and carbon emissions. As it turns out, living in a high density area is one of the best things one can do for the environment.

February 12, 2009 - The DC Examiner

My City's More Man Than Yours

It may come as little surprise to some that the tech-heavy city of San Jose has more males than females. But in other parts of the Silicon Valley, just the opposite is true.

February 12, 2009 - San Jose Mercury News

Population Growth Still An Issue

Population growth, and its impact on land use, should not be overlooked, argues environmental writer John Feeney, who's set up a conference of scientists to examine the issue. This article looks at how population growth is affecting Oregon.

February 12, 2009 - The Oregonian

Do You Live in a Miserable City?

The latest Forbes Misery Index sees a number of changes in the roster, with housing bust "ground zero" Stockton California at the "top" of the list.

February 11, 2009 - ABC News

The Model Slum

According to Prince Charles, Dharavi, the slum featured in 'Slumdog Millionaire,' should be considered a model for the rest of the developing world.

February 11, 2009 - The Guardian

Broken Windows Theory Passes the Test

To conduct a real life experiment with the theory, 17 of Lowell, MA's crime "hot spots" were cleaned up while another 17 were left alone. Researchers found a 20% dip in crime where conditions were improved.

February 11, 2009 - The Boston Globe

SF a Model for Casual Carpooling

"Casual carpooling," an informal system involving commuting with complete strangers, has taken off in the Bay Area. Passengers and drivers cite money, time, and the environment for its success.

February 11, 2009 - GOOD Magazine

Going After Graffiti

The city of San Marcos, Texas, near Austin, plans harsher measures to crack down on graffiti, including holding a minor's parents responsible and banning certain graffiti-making tools.

February 10, 2009 - Austin American-Statesman

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.