Social / Demographics
College's Makeover Of Downtown Leaves Residents Sour
A $40 million gift from a wealthy alumna helped Wells College transform the small town of Aurora, New York into a postcard perfect setting. But while enrollment is up, residents say the change hasn't been good for them.
Gay Bars Disappear, Public Space Suffers
The disappearance of gay bars in the Boston area signals a change in the city's character and the vibrancy of it's public space. In this piece, Robert David Sullivan argues the change is bad for everyone in the city, gay and straight.
Heat Islands or Hot Air?
Sprawlmeisters take warning, advises Rob Steuteville's red-sky-at-night commentary from New Urban News. Your days of high pressure spin are numbered.
Mobility More Of A Concern As Boomers Age
Access to transportation for the elderly is of increasing concern as baby boomers approach retirement. Though the problem is major, many communities already have some programs in place to improve mobility for seniors.
Checks Are Sought, But Florida Continues Growth
Efforts to improve oversight to keep the state's growth in check in Florida are being lauded, but development continues across the state and shows little sign of a slowdown.
Starchitects Designing More Than Just Buildings
With the pipeline of glitzy real estate projects slowing, star designers are branching out with new fashion items and other luxury goods.
The World's Most Desirable Country
Iceland slips past Norway to rank first in the latest United Nations Development Index. The U.S. slips four places to 12th place.
Riding The Train Of Dreams To Mumbai
This article looks at the changing demographics in India, and a train that shovels thousands of rural Indians to Mumbai every day to follow their dreams.
Debunking Canada's 'Urban' Legend
An outdated statistical definition of "urban" has contributed to a gross overestimation of Canada's urban population, argues Roy MacGregor.
The Need For Planning In An Aging Society
Community design, the availability of amenities, and ease of mobility have a tremendous impact on the aging population, but the 50+ community is often ignored when these elements are being planned.
Beauty And Brains
Vancouver has been named one of the world's "smartest" cities in a recent list, which also includes cities from Australia, Ohio, Scotland, and India.
Baghdad's Babysteps Back To Normality
City life edges back towards normalisty in Baghdad where residents are noticing improvements in security and lower rates of violence. More people are traveling across the city and staying out at night, and even the liquor stores are opening back up.
Enabling Retirees To Stay Put
Retirees are less inclined to move out of their homes as they ages, so a cooperative group in Connecticut is creating a network amongst retirees and service providers to enable people to stay put.
New York And Berlin In Parallel
The development patterns of New York and Berlin have some striking similarities, according to a new exhibition looking at the circumstances influencing each of the cities.
'Most Dangerous Cities' List Released, Met With Criticism
The latest report on America's most dangerous cities has been released, and Detroit is once again at the top. Critics are bashing the study, saying the FBI crime statistics it is based on do not tell the whole story of each city.
Alaska Grows And Grays
Demographers are estimating that the population of Alaska will surpass 800,000 by the year 2030. The population 65 and older is expected to grow the fastest between now and then.
Washington Struggles With Housing Affordability
Housing affordability is becoming a major issue in Washington, where workers increasingly have to "drive to qualify".
Freeway Seems Likely, But Residents Cry For Transit
Growth in the Western Salt Lake Valley is creating a need for better mobility. Plans are bubbling for an eight-lane freeway, and while many residents support the plan, others are calling on officials to consider transit options more seriously.
Finding A Housing Balance: Houses Vs. Apartments
A planning expert in Wales is warning that many cities are endanger of pushing families out to the suburbs by focusing solely on high-density development.
The Suburbs Aren't Family Friendly After All
While hard-working families with children often head out to the suburbs for an affordable home, the hidden toll is the long commutes by car -- and its frequently women who bear the brunt of the costs.
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.
EMC Planning Group, Inc.
Planetizen
Planetizen
Mpact (formerly Rail~Volution)
Great Falls Development Authority, Inc.
HUDs Office of Policy Development and Research
NYU Wagner Graduate School of Public Service
