Social / Demographics

The Presidency and America's Addiciton to Prisons and Drugs

Neal Pierce looks at America's addiction to incarceration and drug prohibition and wonders what -- if anything -- the presidential candidates would do to change the country's course.

September 8, 2008 - Citiwire

Katrina's Homeless Still Searching for Housing

Housing -- or the lack of it -- remains a major issue in post-Katrina New Orleans.

September 8, 2008 - Mother Jones

Is There a Future in Politics for Urban-Minded Bloggers?

The "creative class" is using the Internet and the blog world to drum up new ideas for combating sprawl and placelessness. This article argues it's only a matter of time before these urban thinkers go from blogging to local politics.

September 7, 2008 - The St. Petersburg Times

Vancouver to House Homeless For Olympics Preparation

In an effort to clean up the poverty ridden area set to host the 2010 Winter Olympics in Vancouver, officials have announced plans to place homeless people into housing next summer.

September 7, 2008 - The Globe and Mail

The Unseen City Icons

This piece from Discover looks at the iconic "invisible" things that define cities -- like Seattle's clouds, Houston's air conditioning, and L.A.'s Botox.

September 7, 2008 - Discover

Best Cities for Singles

Forbes keeps churning out the Top 10 Cities lists- this time looking at the best cities for single people.

September 6, 2008 - Forbes

What Cities Have the Best Brands?

A new study ranks European cities on their brand, taking into a account sense of place, civic pride, and business climate. Paris ranks first (no surprise), but the research also reveals a handful of 'undervalued' cities.

September 2, 2008 - Citymayors.com

U.K. Planners Failing to Account for Women

A new study shows that city planners aren't following the guidelines established in last year's Gender Equality Duty, which requires planners to consider the different ways that women use public space.

September 2, 2008 - University of Cambridge

Community Calls for Involvement as Swaths of New York Land are Rezoned

One-sixth of the total land in New York has been rezoned under Mayor Michael Bloomberg, and some say it's fueling widespread gentrification. Community members affected by the changes are calling for more say in the future of their neighborhoods.

September 2, 2008 - The Gotham Gazette

Graffiti Temporarily Allowed in Prague

In Prague, where graffiti is rampant, an art gallery has secured outdoor wallspace throughout the city and invited graffiti artists to use it as a canvas for 12 days.

September 2, 2008 - Reuters

The Smartest Cities

A recent study has named the "smartest" cities in Canada.

September 1, 2008 - Maclean's

Mississippi Gulf Coast Three Years On

Jason Miller reports how coastal Mississippi cities and towns are moving post-Katrina plans and ideas towards implementation.

August 31, 2008 - Mississippi Renewal Forum

Room for Public Art in Louisville?

In 2006, the city of Louisville set up a wall where graffiti artists were allowed to paint. But when the art started offending neighbors and officials, the wall was shut down. This article wonders if there's room for more public art in Louisville.

August 29, 2008 - The Louisville Eccentric Observer

Figures Say Things Look Good, But Don't Account For Slumping Economy

New census figures have been released, showing a rise in median household income and more people with health insurance. But experts warn that the figures do not account for the recent slump in the economy.

August 28, 2008 - The Seattle Times

A Look at Housing in South Africa

Posh gated communities are juxtaposed with shanty towns in South Africa, where a constitutional housing guarantee is seen by many as a far-off dream.

August 28, 2008 - Progressive Planning Magazine

Urban Farms Flourish in Oakland

In industrial West Oakland, backyard farming is flourishing, with more than 80 farms sprouting up with organic produce and a local bent.

August 27, 2008 - Wall St. Journal

Shifting Back to the City

The suburbs draw on Americans may be dwindling, according to this column from Neal Peirce. But, he argues, this shift doesn't mean the end of suburban living.

August 26, 2008 - Citiwire

Vancouver May Be Livable, But It's Not Happy

This article from Vancouver Magazine looks at a recent study naming the livable and oft-envied city home to some of the least happy Canadians and asks why a great city has unhappy people.

August 25, 2008 - Vancouver Magazine

States Need to Focus to Tackle Poverty

In an effort to tackle poverty, 15 states have set up commissions to explore the issues. Neal Peirce says they need to focus foremost on getting more money into the hands of the impoverished and reducing the burden of taxes on them.

August 23, 2008 - Citiwire

To Succeed, BRTs Need 'AYFs'

"Attractive young females" may be the bellwether of success on new public transit systems, according to a transit consultant who was in the Twin Cities to advise about a planned bus rapid transit line.

August 22, 2008 - Minneapolis-St.Paul Star Tribune

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.