Social / Demographics

Cities Called On To Plan Ahead For Population Boom

A new report from the United Nations Population Fund argues that cities should be planning ahead to handle the expected population boom in urban areas.

July 3, 2007 - New Scientist

Can The Planet Afford A $3000 Car?

Auto makers are set to launch new cars priced at $3000 in India. Andrew Buncombe reports on the massive social, economic, and environmental impact of the new affordable vehicles.

July 2, 2007 - The Independent

Trouble In A Planning Paradise

A new United Nations report highlights the problems of prosperity and poverty in world's most livable city.

July 2, 2007 - The Vancouver Sun

The Gentrification Of Rural America

Commentator Barbara Ehrenreich laments the 'luxurification' of every scenic spot in America.

July 1, 2007 - The Huffington Post

Computer Model To Predict Crowd Behavior In Cities

A computer model may be able to assist city planners, public safety officials, and researchers in exploring individual pedestrian and crowd behavior in urban spaces.

June 29, 2007 - Pruned

While U.S. Grows, Historic Cities Shrink

Of the 20 largest U.S. cities in 1950, all but 4 have lost residents -- a trend the emphasizes the American populations migration to the suburbs of the South and West.

June 29, 2007 - The Washington Post

An In-Depth Look At Housing In Portland, Oregon

In a series of articles, The Portland Tribune looks at the state of the housing market in the city and the trends that are affecting the urban lives of the city's diverse population.

June 28, 2007 - The Portland Tribune

Mexican Exodus May Bring End To Many Towns

Migration of workers from Mexico to the U.S. is creating a drain of workers -- and a viable future -- from many Mexican towns.

June 28, 2007 - NPR

Questioning The Urbanity Of New York City

A new book brings together perspectives on how New York's urban renaissance has made the city less urban and more suburban.

June 28, 2007 - The San Francisco Chronicle

Census Reports Population Growth Continues in South and West; NYC The Big Exception

The U.S. Census released its new population estimates as of 7/1/06 showing that southern and western cities continued their rapid population growth. However, the city that added the most population since 2000 was NYC with a gain of 205,750 residents.

June 28, 2007 - USA Today

Drunken Tourists Threaten Historic Sites

The ancient palazzos of Rome are being transformed by a flood of restaurants and bars catering to a growing population of drunken tourists. Many locals and preservationist worry about what they see as social and historical decay.

June 27, 2007 - International Herald Tribune

More Americans Than Ever Commuting To Work Alone In Their Car

Despite the attention that global warming has received in the U.S., most Americans aren't choosing more eco-friendly commutes.

June 27, 2007 - The Christian Science Monitor

A New Species of Mall Rat Evolving?

The second largest mall owner in the nation will redevelop over 200 of its properties into mixed-use centers.

June 27, 2007 - New Urban News

What Subdivision Walls Tell Us About Our Values

A recent column cites the phenomenon of subdivision walls as an example of how Americans are neglecting and shunning the public realm.

June 27, 2007 - The Charlotte Observer

Atlanta Swelling With Coastal Florida Expatriates

Fear of hurricanes, high housing costs, and prohibitive insurance premiums are driving coastal Florida residents north to Atlanta. Real estate agents and developers are happy, but the region is already strained by growth.

June 26, 2007 - The Atlanta Journal-Constitution

Look At Houston In A Different Light, Argues Kotkin

Often maligned by by most planners and urbanists, the City of Houston, Texas, receives a glowing defense from Joel Kotkin.

June 25, 2007 - The Houston Chronicle

The New Face Of Public Housing

A formerly crime-ridden public housing project has been redeveloped as a HUD Hope VI project. Many see as a successful turnaround, bringing in subsidized renters and buyers as well as market-rate homeowners.

June 25, 2007 - The New York Times

Second Home Owners Engaging In Activism

Vacation home owners are getting involved in local issues in their second communities.

June 22, 2007 - The New York Times

Lack Of Affordable Housing Hits Migrant Workers Hardest

A high supply of jobs is bringing large amounts of migrant workers into the Pacific Northwest. But few affordable housing options exist, leaving many with no place to go.

June 21, 2007 - The Daily Astorian

Flood Prospect Sparks Violent Opposition To Dam Project

Plans to build a dam on the Nile River have incited protests, outrage, and even violence as Sudanese villagers demonstrate their opposition to a project that would flood them out of their ancient homeland.

June 21, 2007 - National Geographic

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.