Social / Demographics
Local Officials Say Border Fences Will Harm Economy
Mayors and local officials along the Texas-Mexico border are angry that they were not included in a planning process to create more than 150 miles of fencing along the international border. Officials fear the fences will harm their local economies.
More Parks In U.S. Going Car-Free
One mile of road in San Francisco's Golden Gate Park will be closed to cars every Saturday this summer, just one of many examples of car-free zones that are being proposed in the U.S.
Do Broadband And New Urbanism Go Hand In Hand?
Speaking at a technology related conference, Andres Duany talks about how the rise of high-speed internet connections and telecommuting has increased the importance of social activity created by traditional neighborhood design.
Locals Oppose Towers Along Border
This report from NPR details local opposition to a Department of Homeland Security plan to erect watch towers along the Arizona-Mexico border.
Big Brother Is Watching ... And Listening ... And Talking
Citing the popularity and success of closed-circuit television cameras that have been installed in many public places for crime-fighting purposes, politicians in the UK are considering attaching microphones and even loudspeakers to these cameras.
Does Your Neighborhood Have A Blog?
A new survey finds that neighborhoods experiencing gentrification have a high number of people blogging about their community.
Construction Begins On Nation's Largest Park For Disabled Children
In California, a huge team of volunteers is building the nation's largest playground for disabled children, equipped with slides and ramps wide enough for wheelchairs, rubber ground padding, and textured play surfaces for blind children.
India's Poor Displaced By Country's Industrialization
Land is being grabbed up all over India in efforts to industrialize the country and bring in foreign investment. The country's poor in these primarily agricultural areas are disproportionately affected by these acquisitions.
No More Mandatory Retirement For British Columbia
With Baby Boomers moving into their 60s and a significantly smaller population of younger workers, officials in British Columbia have passed a bill that will do away with the province's mandatory retirement age of 65.
Governor To Live Off Food Stamps
Oregon Governor Ted Kulongoski has undertaken an experiment and social commentary stunt to survive on food stamps. He hopes his $21-a-week food budget will raise awareness of the plight of the low-income residents of his state.
Minneapolis Wants To Move Bus Stops To Fight Downtown Crime
Increased crime in downtown Minneapolis around bus stops prompts the mayor, police and businesses to pressure the transit agency to move 7th Street's bus stops three blocks away from the downtown entertainment district.
Plan To Increase Prison Capacity Meets Criticism
Under pressure from federal judges, California has approved plans to build 53,000 new prison and jail beds as part of a $7.3 billion construction effort. Critics say increasing capacity does not address the reasons why prisons are overcrowded.
Segregation Sends Women To The Back Of The Bus
Certain bus lines in Israel have an informal but strict practice of gender segregation, forcing women to sit in the back of the bus. Many women have protested this separation system, which is mainly enforced by riders in orthodox neighborhoods.
Growing Children In The City
Children are integral to the urban environment, yet we have shrunk the places where they can play, grow and thrive. Creating natural environments where children are free to imagine and play without instruction and structure is critical to our future.
Can Ottawa Become 'Cool'?
Amid recent talk amongst Canadian officials about the future of Canada's capital city, Ottawa, some say the government city is too square to become an international destination. But others see a way for Ottawa to "swagger".
Protesting The Use Of Ancestral Lands
Mohawk Indians in Canada have parked a bus on a busy rail line, effectively cutting off transit between Toronto and Ottawa. They are protesting against the government's use of their ancestral land for gravel mining.
Is Art Still Art If It's Public Art?
In an experiment to see what effect great art would have when placed out of context and in public space, acclaimed violinist Joshua Bell stood incognito in a Washington D.C. metro station, playing classical masterpieces during the morning commute.
Saving Money By Housing The Homeless
Housing advocates in British Columbia are pushing a "housing-first" policy to the local government as a way to combat homelessness and save money.
San Francisco Looks To Reverse Family-Flight Trend
Recently, a long-standing trend of family-flight from San Francisco seems to be reversing. The city hopes to retain more families in coming years, increasing the population of children and families back to peak amounts from nearly 50 years ago.
Eyes In The Sky
The Venezuelan government has plans to operate three remote-controlled zeppelins equipped with video cameras to monitor the streets of Caracas, the country's capital, where crime is high. Many are wary of the government's "big brother" tactics.
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
