Social / Demographics

Anchorage Settles Down

After years of boom-and-bust economic see-sawing, the city of Anchorage, Alaska, is showing signs of steady growth and economic stability.

February 21, 2008 - The Seattle Times

City Rankings: Kiss of Death or Good Buzz?

City rankings can be double-edged sword.

February 21, 2008 - Governing

Human Impact on Ocean Mapped

A new map has been released that shows the extent of the effects human development and lifestyle have had on the world's oceans.

February 19, 2008 - The Guardian

Suburban Prisoner Calls Out For Help

A new suburbanite writes into an advice columnist for help dealing with his suburban depression.

February 18, 2008 - Salon

New York Parks Will Be On Camera

Surveillance cameras are expected to be installed in the public parks of New York City.

February 12, 2008 - New York Post

New Women-Only Buses Praised in Mexico City

The women-only buses running in Mexico City have been warmly welcomed by the city's female commuters.

February 12, 2008 - The New York Times

Science on Cities

The latest issue of Science is dedicated to looking at cities, their development and the changing demographics that are shaping our urban lifestyles.

February 11, 2008 - Science

It's a Man, Man, Man, Man World

Some geologists believe that humanity's effects on the planet are so significant and enduring that the Earth has entered a new epoch: the Anthropocene.

February 11, 2008 - The Christian Science Monitor

The City as Factory

February 11, 2008 - Josh Stephens

Greening Efforts Struggle to Convince the Stubborn

Communities are looking at ways to become more energy efficient and environmentally friendly, but they're struggling to combat local opposition.

February 8, 2008 - The New York Times

Hurricane Katrina and the History of Human Geography in New Orleans

This article from The Journal of American History looks at the history behind the human geography of New Orleans and how these residential patterns were affected by Hurricane Katrina.

February 8, 2008 - The Journal of American History

Making Happier Cities

More cities across the globe are pushing civic improvement projects that seek to improve both the local economy and the happiness of its people.

February 7, 2008 - En Route

Making Streets Safer for Seniors

Senior citizens account for a disproportional amount of pedestrian fatalities and injuries in New York City. As a result, Mayor Michael Bloomberg has made plans to focus on improving mobility and safety for the city's over-60 population.

February 7, 2008 - The Gotham Gazette

Americans Spending Less Time Outdoors, In Parks

Fewer Americans are visiting parks and and participating in outdoor activities, according to a new study.

February 7, 2008 - NPR

Democracy and The Geography of Suburbia

According to an increasing number of theorists, modernist planning and urban renewal practices have produced nothing but an overly simplified, paternalistic urbanism that has in time proved unable to mirror the complexity of urban life.

February 5, 2008 - The Urban Reinventors Online Urban Journal

Know Thyself, But Know Thou Too

If you want to get a sustainable building or community built, you have to know your audience. Architect and urban planner Andres Duany offers a field-guide of target groups.

February 5, 2008 - New Urban News

Cairo's Street Children Ignored No Longer

In Cairo, the problem of street children was once ignored, but is now a growing concern in the public consciousness. Numerous services and aid agencies have developed in recent years to help the city's impoverished children.

February 5, 2008 - The Christian Science Monitor

The Most Miserable Cities in the U.S.

Forbes has released its list of the most miserable cities in America. Detroit is at the top.

February 1, 2008 - Forbes

Recycling Center Stirs Controversy In Changing Neighborhood

The long-standing recycling center adjacent to Kezar Stadium at the edge of Golden Gate Park is seen by many neighbors to be an attraction for the homeless who raid their recycling bins.

February 1, 2008 - The San Francisco Chronicle

China Faces NIMBY

Protests over the extension of a magnetic levitation train line are evidence of an increasing trend of NIMBYism in China.

January 29, 2008 - The Nation

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.