Social / Demographics
Infamous Drug City Is Reborn
Medellín, Colombia, has escaped from the bloody grips of the violent drug warfare that consumed its streets in the 1980s to become a vibrant and active city.
Personal Tales Of Road Rage In The City Of Angels
As more cyclists and runners use the streets of Los Angeles, incidents of road rage and accidents are on the rise.
Grass-roots Action Could Improve World's Slums
Can globalization change the world's poorest neighborhoods?
Downtown L.A. Is Improving, But Developers Are Driving
With a surge in population and some large-scale retail and entertainment complexes in the works, downtown L.A. is in the midst of a major urban shift. But as this column from the Los Angeles Times argues, developers are shaping the growth.
The Positive Effects Of Block Parties
Getting neighbors together for community events does more than prevent crime, according to the Project for Public Spaces.
Lifestyles Clash At Urban Growth Boundary
At the edge of Portland's urban growth boundary, a clash of rural and urban lifestyles is causing disputes between homeowners, farmers, and hunters.
'Complete Streets' Concept Gathers Steam
The idea of creating "complete streets" for cyclists, pedestrians, mass transit, and cars is gaining popularity across the country.
New Orleans Population Reaches 60% of Pre-Katrina Total
Numbers continue to rise in New Orleans, where multiple demographic sources show the population at 60% of the total population before Hurricane Katrina hit in August 2005.
How Seattle Has Grown
Urban geographer Richard Morrill discusses the history of growth in Seattle, the influences that cause it, and which of the influences can be controlled.
Annexation Called Unnecessary
The city of Jeffersonville, Indiana, has approved the annexation of more than 7,800 acres of nearby land -- a move that will increase the population by more than a third. Many of the people to be annexed are calling the move a land and money grab.
Multi-Family Homes Overtake Single-Family Homes In L.A.
In Los Angeles and much of Southern California, more multi-family homes are being planned and built than single-family residences.
Among Canadian Cities, Vancouver Is Number One
In a national survey on the best Canadian cities, Vancouver finished with top honors. But other Canadian cities were also recognized for their strengths.
Is Diversity Bad For Cities?
While diversity has usually been trumpeted as a positive aspect of many urban areas -- new research by Harvard professor Robert Putnam suggests that increasing diversity leads to decreased levels of civic engagement and cooperation.
Immigrants Provide Bright Spot In Otherwise Grim Housing Market
Immigration has become a hot spot in the presidential primaries, with immigrants being blamed for crime and consuming vital social services. Now a Harvard study has analyzed how they have affected, and will affect, the for-sale housing market.
Americans Approve Of Surveillance Of Public Spaces
A recent poll shows the majority of Americans think the use of surveillance cameras in public spaces are a good idea.
Californians Bucking National Trend By Guzzling Less Gas
While American drivers are burning record amounts of gas to feed their motoring habits, a weird thing is happening in the freeway state – Californians continue to consume less gasoline. Sustained high gas prices may play a role by changing behavior.
The Left-Leaning NIMBY
In Marin County and other wealthy, liberal enclaves, many residents are vocally supportive of affordable housing and other causes -- unless its in their neighborhood.
Idaho's Governor Proposes State Workers Stay Home And Telecommute
As roads become more congested, one congestion mitigation proposal would encourage state workers to telecommute.
Why Gentrification Is Good
Opponents to gentrification often have a romanticized view of neighborhoods that prevents them from seeing how development is beneficial to everyone in a community -- rich and poor.
Americans: Don't Stop Me From Driving (Or Parking) My Car
Whether is a proposal for congestion pricing in 2007 or the advent of parking meters in the 1930s, Americans have a way of being hostile towards plans that interfere with their 'constitutional right' to free driving and parking.
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
