Social / Demographics
Japan Bans New Suburban Malls
As Japan's population shrinks, the Japanese government bans the development of new shopping malls or amusement centers exceeding 108,000 s.f. in suburban areas to prevent the 'hollowing out' of urban centers.
New York City Losing Affordable Housing
Two studies confirm that NYC is loosing its affordable housing stock at an increasingly rapid pace notwithstanding Mayor Blumberg's to both preserve existing stock and add substantially to it. Section 8 and Mitchell-Lama programs were studied.
How To Grow The Next Silicon Valley
Essayist and programmer Paul Graham writes about how cities can create great hi-tech communities that attract dynamic startups.
Celebrities Fight To Save Urban Farm From Development
When fundraising fails to save farm formerly leased to the Los Angeles Food Bank, Joan Baez sings in a tree and Darryl Hannah plays guitar in a tent.
Developing A Formal Methodology For Studying Obesity And Urban Design
The Int. Journal of Health Geographics publishes a study on how "GIS and cluster analysis makes it possible to objectively characterize urban neighborhoods and to select comparable and/or contrasting neighborhoods for community-based health studies."
Cities Use Zoning, Housing Code To Define Social Norms
A city does not consider an unmarried couple and their children a family and denies them an occupancy permit.
Comparing Growth In China And India
The Financial Times presents an interesting comparative analysis of growth policies and past trends in China and India and comments on their future impacts.
City of Illusion: Los Angeles In The Movies
Why does Los Angeles have an inferiority complex?
Will Southern Maine Become The New State of 'Northern Massachusetts'?
Differences between largely rural, conservative northern Maine and the more urban and progressive southern half of the state are growing wider, with conflicts coming to a head over the preservation of Maine's famous North Woods.
West Virginians Reluctantly Leave State for Economic Reasons
Many West Virginians must leave the state to find work, but they long for home.
Two Futures For Los Angeles' Skid Row
Los Angeles has to choose between luxury condos or more homeless services for skid row.
New Mayor Looks To Heal A Battered City
Cory Booker, the newly elected mayor of Newark, New Jersey, has charged himself with turning around one of America's most dangerous cities.
Sports Teams Do What The Economy Can't -- Boost Cities' Spirits
Fittingly, the woman who was celebrated as the Detroit Piston's one-millionth fan of the season had recently been laid off work. With their local economy continuing to struggle, Detroiters take solace in the success of local professional sports.
'Edge of the Abyss': Review of Mike Davis' 'Planet of Slums'
This week's bloody shootout in Sao Paulo between gangs and the police is a sign of the coming global "urban hell" as described in Mike Davis' new book, "Planet of Slums".
Illegal Border Crossings Damage Desert Environment
Illegal immigrants wreak havoc on the delicate desert environment in Arizona; fencing or walls only make it worse.
Top Five Road Rage Cities
Often thought to be more relaxed, sunshine state cities make three of top five for road rage.
California City Calls Time-Out To Reduce Stress
Poway, California, wants to take the afternoon off on May 22. In an attempt to reduce community stress and bring families together, the town will celebrate Family Focus Night between the hours of 5 and 9 p.m.
A New Vision Of International Demographics
The WorldMapper takes cartography and demographics to a whole new level -- these cartograms make stats from international immigration, to tourism and population, sexy.
The Urban Renaissance Does Not Exist
Joel Kotkin reviews a variety of data showing that despite optimism by "urban boosters", America's central cities are not experiencing a rebirth. The real renaissance, says Kotkin, is in the suburbs.
Can The Suburbs Make You Thin?
Many people think, and some research shows, that life in the suburbs make you fat. Now comes new research from Australia that the suburbs actually make you thin.
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
