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.
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.
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.
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.
Panhandling Becomes A Crime In Minneapolis
The Minneapolis City Council has approved a measure to crack down on panhandling.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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
