Social / Demographics

Salt Lake Transit Authority Accused of Misusing Funds

In Salt Lake City, advocates for bus riders have asked the state attorney general to investigate whether the Utah Transit Authority has skewed its ridership figures to gain public support for major investments, which they say is a misuse of funding.

March 26, 2008 - The Salt Lake Tribune

Sprawl Slows Down in California

New census figures show that suburban growth is slowing down in the Sunbelt cities of California, Nevada and Arizona.

March 26, 2008 - The Los Angeles Times

Planning in Venezuela's Communal Councils

This article from Progressive Planning looks at the communal councils being set up in Venezuela and the progress they have made in local planning efforts.

March 25, 2008 - Progressive Planning

Public Art Succeeds in Inspiring Consideration of Public Spaces

A public art exhibit in a Baltimore park has elicited complaints and compliments from various voices in the city. But like it or not, the art is good for the city's consideration of and connection to its public spaces, according to this editorial.

March 25, 2008 - The Baltimore Sun

'Slumburbia': Exurban Decay Spurred By Mortgage Crisis

The mortgage crisis is devastating many communities far from urban centers, while 'inner cities', regionally speaking, are weathering the financial storm far better thanks to their urban form that makes them attractive to those that can afford them.

March 21, 2008 - The San Francisco Chronicle

Domestic Migration Slows Even In Sunbelt Due To Housing Crisis

The nation's housing downturn has spread to the fastest growing counties in the sunbelt, where most saw reduced domestic migration in the year ending July 1, 2007, while more rural counties experienced population losses.

March 21, 2008 - USA Today

Rural County Population Nearly Doubled in Less Than a Decade

With a growth rate of more than 75% over the last seven years, Kendall County, Illinois, is changing fast and the local farming community is struggling to adapt.

March 21, 2008 - The Associated Press

Is Planning to Blame for Violence?

After a recent shooting death in Toronto, one writer lays the blame for urban violence on city planners.

March 19, 2008 - The National Post

Thinking About Smart Growth in Montana

Gallatin County, Montana, has experienced 20 percent population growth over the last eight years, and officials are hoping that the adoption of smart growth principles will help guide the rapidly developing area towards a sustainable future.

March 18, 2008 - Bozeman Daily Chronicle

Creatives Kicked Out By Vancouver Condo Boom

Condos are booming in Vancouver, and as a result the city's young creatives are being squeezed out.

March 18, 2008 - The Globe & Mail

The St. Patrick's Day River

As part of its yearly tradition, officials in Chicago have dyed the Chicago River green to celebrate St. Patrick's Day.

March 17, 2008 - The Chicago Tribune

After Bus Shutdown, City Considers Mass Carpooling

Residents in the small town of Qualicum Beach on Vancouver Island are starting a citywide carpooling program to help provide for people without cars after the city's underused public transit system was shut down.

March 17, 2008 - The Vancouver Sun

Global Impacts on Downtowns

This report from Progressive Urban Management Associates outlines the ten trends that will impact downtowns over the next two decades.

March 17, 2008 - Downtown Idea Exchange

Canada's Top Crime Cities

With their high concentrations of marginalized Aboriginal residents, the Canadian prairie cities of Saskatoon, Regina and Winnipeg are ranked the top 3 most "dangerous" cities in the country in the latest Macleans Magazine survey.

March 16, 2008 - Macleans

The Regional Approach to Fighting Poverty

This article from the Albany Times Union looks at the importance of using a regional approach to addressing poverty, crime and inner city blight.

March 15, 2008 - Albany Times Union

Developing Cities Face Major Growth, Pollution Issues

The mega cities of the developing world are expected to experience increasing rates of growth in the coming decades. The growth in population will be a challenge, but so will be dealing with the increase in air pollution.

March 13, 2008 - CNN

Prince's Foundation Hopes to Salvage Kingston Ghetto

Crippling violence and dangerous streets in the Rose Town area of Kingston, Jamaica, have motivated Prince Charles to bring his Foundation for Architecture and Urbanism to the island ghetto to attempt a rebirth.

March 12, 2008 - The Guardian

Key West's Main Drag?

Residents and public officials are calling on merchants to clean up Duval Street in Key West, Florida. Long considered the city's economic engine, the opposition believes some of the questionable quirkiness give the street and the city its character.

March 12, 2008 - The Miami Herald

In The Ghetto

"Slum tourism" is on the rise in developing countries around the world. Some say the tours help the affluent understand the dire situations faced by the world's poor, but others say it's just a way to help Westerners feel good about themselves.

March 11, 2008 - The New York Times

How Will Changing Cities React?

Cities are undergoing major changes in terms of demographics and development patterns. How cities will react to these changes remains up in the air.

March 11, 2008 - The Guardian

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.