Social / Demographics

India's Slums Double In Size

Though the country has experienced an economic boom, the number of Indians living in slums has increased 100 percent in the last two decades.

May 18, 2007 - Times Online UK

District of Columbia Losing Black Majority

With D.C. neighborhoods attracting new white upper-income residents and lower-income black families fleeing for the more affordable suburbs, the nation's capital is poised to lose its longtime status as a black-majority city.

May 18, 2007 - The Washington Post

Are Cities The Key To Success In The 21st Century?

Bruce Katz of The Brookings Institution argues that the health and vitality of cities will determine which nations will prosper in this century -- which he has dubbed the 'Urban Age'.

May 17, 2007 - The Brookings Institution

A Wake Up Call For Aging Communities

A new report is aimed at helping America's cities and counties prepare to meet the needs of an aging baby boomer population.

May 16, 2007 - USA Today

The Rudest Drivers In The U.S.

Miami has been ranked as the number one city with rude drivers, according to a recent survey.

May 16, 2007 - The Ledger

'Tent City' For Oakland's Homeless

City officials in Oakland, California, are proposing the creation of a "tent city" to provide temporary shelter to the homeless. Advocates say the private tents will be preferred to the city's existing barracks-style shelters.

May 14, 2007 - The San Francisco Chronicle

Some Seniors Don't Want Free Rides

Free off-peak transportation on buses and trains in Connecticut has generated interest and support, but some seniors would prefer that greater funding be devoted to existing dial-a-ride services that are already in place across the state.

May 14, 2007 - The New York Times

Open Borders Give Spain An Economic Boost

With no restrictions on immigration, Spain is increasingly home to an immigrant-rich population. And while some feared the open policy would strain the country's public services, the economic benefit has far outweighed the cost in services.

May 13, 2007 - Der Spiegel

New Condo Towers Pit 'Boomers' Versus 'Echo-Boomers'

Though swank new condo towers in certain hip metro markets are catering to young singles, empty nesters are ruining the party by purchasing units as well.

May 12, 2007 - The Wall Street Journal

Blacks Feel Hurt Of Katrina More Than Whites

New Orleans black population has been more negatively affected by Hurricane Katrina than the city's white population, according to a recent survey.

May 11, 2007 - NPR

Can U.S. Strategy Reduce Vancouver's Homelessness?

In the last five years, U.S. cities have taken a different approach to dealing with homelessness -- providing specialized services to the most vulnerable. The man heading this effort says that other cities like Vancouver should follow the U.S. lead.

May 10, 2007 - The Vancouver Sun

Playtime For Grandma

In an effort to encourage its growing elderly population to exercise, Berlin, Germany has opened a public playground intended for the city's most senior citizens.

May 10, 2007 - Der Spiegel

Census 2010 Test Runs Use New Technologies, Face New Challenges

This report from NPR looks at the preparations, new technologies, and test runs that are currently underway to prepare for Census 2010.

May 10, 2007 - NPR

Domestic Migration 'Re-Aligning' U.S. Cities

In this Wall Street Journal editorial, the author analyzes Census data to argue that famed "Coastal Megalopolises" such as Los Angeles, Boston, New York and San Francisco are actually becoming America's equivalent of Mexico City and São Paulo.

May 8, 2007 - The Wall Street Journal

Urbanization Continuing Rapidly Across The Globe

With world's urbanized population now at 50 percent, urban living seems set to be the global norm -- though its unclear if many cities can cope with the challenge.

May 7, 2007 - The Economist

Urban Planning and the Informal Sector in Developing Countries

Rather than seeking to eliminate the presence of the informal sector, urban planning should seek to accommodate this important component of urban economies.

May 7, 2007 - Deden Rukmana

Youngstown, Ohio, Tries To 'Shrink' Smartly

Rather than advocate for population growth, the gritty industrial city of Youngstown, Ohio, has launched a bold plan to -- among other strategies -- let declining neighborhoods empty out and be converted to greenspace.

May 6, 2007 - The Wall Street Journal

The Job Of Ranking Cities

Every year, Bert Sperling and his small team of researchers get to decide which are the best places to live, work, play, and even love.

May 6, 2007 - The New York Times

A New Vision For Tiananmen Square: A Lush Park

Could a 'green' makeover of one of China's most infamous public spaces help signal the country's shifting politics?

May 4, 2007 - The Guardian Unlimited

Density Bonus May Be Key To Housing Aging Boomers

San Francisco's density bonus is being used by for-profit developers marketing condos designated for seniors -- albeit for a price.

May 3, 2007 - The San Francisco Chronicle

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.