Social / Demographics

Indoor Activities Cut Time Kids Spend Outdoors

A number of studies have detailed the decreasing amount of time children spend outdoors -- a revelation that is prompting policy makers to look for ways to pull kids away from indoor activities such as video games and the Internet.

June 21, 2007 - The Washington Post

New York Plans To Pay The Poor

In a move to address poverty in the city, New York Mayor Michael Bloomberg has started a program that will pay low-income residents for doing things perceived to break the cycle of poverty, such as visiting a doctor and attending school regularly.

June 21, 2007 - ABC News

Bostoners Most Likely To Walk To Work

Commuters in Boston are the most likely city dwellers to walk to work, but are second-to-last among commuters in 50 American cities to carpool, according to Census data.

June 20, 2007 - The Boston Globe

EPA Bullseye: Smart Growth Targets Big Builders

The US EPA is directing educational and research efforts that explain (among other things) the financial benefits of smart growth directly to the nation's largest homebuilders and developers.

June 18, 2007 - New Urban News

Panhandling Becomes A Crime In Minneapolis

The Minneapolis City Council has approved a measure to crack down on panhandling.

June 18, 2007 - Minneapolis-St. Paul Star Tribune

Census Figures Show More People Commuting Alone

Despite rising gas prices, more people are commuting to work alone, the amount of carpoolers has dropped, and no increase has been seen in the percentage of Americans who use public transit, according to recent figures from the U.S. Census Bureau.

June 16, 2007 - The Washington Post

Study Shows Walkable Nieghborhoods Important To Health Of Elderly

Walkability has been shown to greatly improve the health and wellbeing of senior citizens. In response to recent studies on this issue, planners are looking to create walkable neighborhoods that encourage healthy habits for residents of all ages.

June 15, 2007 - The Seattle Times

Rules Limiting Activities In Public Spaces Target Homeless

Broad regulations have been approved in Berkeley, California, that would ban certain activities in public spaces, such as laying on the ground and urinating. This set of rules seeks to impose greater control over the city's homeless population.

June 15, 2007 - The San Francisco Chronicle

Is A Sheltered Suburban Childhood Good For Kids?

Parents who grew up in the city but raised their children in the suburbs wonder if they made the right choice.

June 14, 2007 - The Charlotte Observer

Growing Old In The Suburbs

A new report from the Brookings Institution shows that suburbs are aging faster than cities -- and may signal a desire by seniors to stay put in their suburban communities.

June 14, 2007 - The New York Times

TODs Prove To Be A Boon For Urban Regions

In this special report, the WSJ examines the growing popularity of rail-based TODs, examining their effect on land values as well as the challenges they may face in obtaining approval.

June 13, 2007 - The Wall Street Journal

Book That Examines Suburban Lifestyle Inspires Life Changes

The book, "Death by Suburb: How to Keep the Suburbs from Killing Your Soul" is making the rounds among church congregations who find meaning in its message.

June 12, 2007 - The Washington Post

Transportation Costs Undermine Atlanta's 'Affordable' Label

Metro Atlanta ranked as the second costliest area to live in the U.S. for working families after the region's sky-high transportation costs were considered along with housing costs.

June 12, 2007 - Alex Pearlstein

Making Housing Work For Grandparents And Grandchildren

With more and more grandparent raising their grandchildren nationally, developers are responding to the demand for housing that can accommodate both age groups and provide the specialized services each needs.

June 11, 2007 - The Chicago Tribune

Smart Growth Leaders Still Living Low Density American Dream

While encouraging the city's residents to embrace higher densities and public transit, many of Los Angeles's smart growth advocates live in single family homes and commute long distances in cars.

June 10, 2007 - LA Weekly

Olympic Games Cause Of Major Displacement, Says Rights Group

A human rights group has accused the Chinese Government of forcing 1.5 million residents from their homes in preparation for the 2008 Olympic Games in Beijing -- the latest in a continuing saga of displacement in former host cities.

June 8, 2007 - The Washington Post

Atlanta's Murder Rate Spikes By 22 Percent

Assaults and property crimes are also up in 2006, according to recently released FBI data. City officials are hoping the increase is a one-time occurrence, and not a trend that could endanger its ongoing urban revitalization efforts.

June 7, 2007 - The Atlanta Journal-Constitution

More Kids Not Allowed To Go Out And Play

Fewer and fewer parents are allowing their children to leave the house unattended. Citing safety concerns, nearly half of parents prefer to keep their kids home.

June 7, 2007 - BBC

High Density For The Dead

Space for the dead is an increasingly tight commodity in England, so the government has pushed plans to increase the density of its graveyards. Under the new plans, older gravesites could be altered to accommodate up to six additional coffins.

June 6, 2007 - BBC

Why Americans Like Big Homes

Americans generally see bigger as better, and a desire for status combined with local government's desire to attract high-income residents often drives the development of large homes on large lots.

June 5, 2007 - The Environmental Report

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

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