Social / Demographics

Dog Parks Are Everywhere, but Where Did They Start?

Dog Parks Are Everywhere, but Where Did They Start?

Giving dogs the opportunity to play and socialize without restraint has its roots in the free speech movement in Berkeley, California.

January 26, 2020 - Smithsonian Magazine

Houston Third Ward

Gentrification in Houston Outpaces Other Texas Cities

Gentrification is transforming Houston faster than Austin, San Antonio, and Dallas, according to the Federal Reserve Bank of Dallas.

January 24, 2020 - Houston Chronicle

Texas residential

Affordable Housing Challenges in Beltway Suburbs

More people are moving to suburban counties, but a lack of affordable housing in places such as Loudon County, Virginia, means the suburbs are not an option for a growing number of people.

January 22, 2020 - Greater Greater Washington

Arizona Streets

Study Traces the History of Racism and Urban Heat Islands

The people living in urban heat islands are much more likely to be inhabited by low-income people of color, and the roots of the environmental justice issue can be found in planning history.

January 21, 2020 - The Oregonian

Dolores Park

Parks of Inclusion

The people sitting, playing, and enjoying themselves in parks aren't always representative of the population that live in the communities. Here are three examples of parks that succeed at inclusion.

January 20, 2020 - Urban Institute

The Castro

'A Strange, Second-Wave Gentrification' in San Francisco

Vast amounts of tech money have transformed the city's commercial spaces in unexpected ways.

January 19, 2020 - The Guardian

Gentrification

The Rent Gap Theory

Some urbanism commentators suggest that gentrification is the result of a "rent gap" between actual and potential rent. How should this theory affect zoning policy?

January 15, 2020 - Michael Lewyn

Arlington Virginia

The Far-Reaching Effects of the Housing Crisis

When housing costs are high, lower-income residents are not the only ones who end up struggling.

January 14, 2020 - WAMU

Capitol Hill

States to Gain and Lose Congressional Districts After Census Identified

A reapportionment of House of Representatives will begin when the results of the Census 2020 have been finalized. A new analysis indicates that ten House seats will likely shift from the Northeast and Midwest to the West and South.

January 14, 2020 - Citiwire

Washington, D.C.

Trump Administration Proposal Would Eliminate Fair Housing Protections

The Trump administration last week published its latest attempt to undermine a fair housing rule adopted during the Obama administration.

January 13, 2020 - Curbed

Houston

Changes in Houston Over the Last Decade

Comparing Houston in 2010 to the city today reveals a variety of transportation, infrastructure, and economic changes.

January 10, 2020 - Urban Edge

Housing Construction

Report: Low Housing Production Stymies Entry-Level Buyers

According to this report, the trends point to a "less diverse, older, higher-income" crop of homebuyers as low production locks out the young and many people of color.

January 8, 2020 - Curbed San Francisco

Homes

How Housing Fared in 2019

Next City's Jared Brey reviews a year of developments in housing politics and policy, teasing out several big trends.

January 8, 2020 - Next City

Charlotte, NC

Understanding North Carolina's Urban-Rural Divide

North Carolina cities are thriving, but rural counties are not experiencing the same level of growth. Still, residents in rural areas say the numbers do not necessarily capture the whole picture.

January 6, 2020 - The Courier-Tribune

School Chlidren

2019 Year-End Census Estimate: Slowest Growth in 100 Years

The 12-month period ending July 1, 2019, saw the lowest population growth rate, 0.5 percent, since 1918, reported the U.S. Census Bureau on Monday. Natural increase (births minus deaths) was the lowest in decades. Ten states saw population declines.

January 5, 2020 - U.S. Census Bureau

Amazon Fulfillment Center

When Amazon Brings Both Economic Optimism and Disappointment

A Kentucky town welcomed Amazon’s arrival, but the economic outcomes over the last two decades have been lackluster.

January 5, 2020 - The New York Times

Sacramento

Why Is It Taking So Long for California's Population to Reach 40 Million?

It was thought that California's population would reach 40 million two summers ago, but growth continues to slow, setting records. Net migration, which includes domestic and international movement, was negative for the first time since 2010.

January 2, 2020 - Los Angeles Times

Alaska

Census 2020 Ready for Launch

In parts of Alaska, it's easier to start the Census count in January, when the ground is frozen. They'll get a head start in January.

December 31, 2019 - Associated Press via NBC Montana

Charlottesville

Mapping Housing Discrimination in Charlottesville

Like many American cities, the site of white supremacist unrest in 2017 has a long history of residential discrimination by race. This mapping project seeks to uncover the roots of today's disparities.

December 30, 2019 - Next City

Wheelchair Ramp

A Look at Accessibility in Atlanta

A wheelchair user describes what it's like to travel on Atlanta streets and on the city's public transit system.

December 28, 2019 - Atlanta

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.