Social / Demographics

Inequality Found in the 'Unstudied Neighborhoods' Too
A new journal article calls out the academic community of planning and urbanism for relying too much on the usual suspects when researching marginalization and inequality, and assuming too much about what makes a neighborhood "normal."

Report: 'Segregation Tax' Depresses Home Values in Majority-Black Areas
According to a study, residential segregation and anti-black bias combine to devalue properties in majority-black neighborhoods by an average of $48,000 per home.

U.S. Life Expectancy Continues Downward Trend
Drug overdoses and suicides caused American life expectancy to drop in 2017 for the second consecutive year, according to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. Most notable is the gap between the urban and rural suicide rate.

France Drops Road Tolling Plans Amid Fuel Tax Protests
Controversial London-style congestion pricing won't be coming to French cities due to concerns sparked by the 'Yellow Vest' protests over an upcoming fuel tax hike, but President Macron stated the fuel tax increases will go forward in January.

L.A. Bus Stops Improved by D.I.Y. Additions
A bench is a basic bus stop amenity, but many stops on Los Angeles’ Eastside lack them. One resident took on the task of putting in benches himself.

Getting Started on Inclusive Planning
A toolbox for local governments to address inequality.

Los Angeles Approves Sidewalk Vending Ordinance
The new ordinance brings long-awaited legal legitimacy to sidewalk vending in Los Angeles.

Neighborhood and School Integration Don't Always Go Hand in Hand, Study Finds
In cities across the U.S., the relationship between residential and school segregation isn’t always clear.

Fuel Tax Hike Revolt Threatens French President Macron's Leadership
Anger at fuel tax increases planned for January, part of a pro-Green agenda espoused by President Emmanuel Macron, has sparked a populous movement involving hundreds of thousands of protestors that have taken to the streets, erupting into violence.

Nashville Scored an Amazon Prize, But the Long-Term Outcomes for the City Are Less Clear
Critics say the new operations facility will make some of the city’s problems even worse.

Op-Ed: Seattle Should Do More About Crime in Business Districts
To combat a rash of incivility and outright criminal acts, three Business Improvement Area directors argue that Seattle needs to commit more law enforcement resources to business districts.

Millennials Choose Cities for First Homes
New research suggests that millennials are remaining in urban areas as they transition from renting to homeownership.

According to the Federal Government, the Suburbs Don't Exist
The federal government has no official definition of suburban, even though a majority of Americans say they live in suburban communities.

Wisconsin Study Unpacks Transit Inequities
A new study finds that Wisconsin spends big on highways and urban transportation while rural areas face gaps in service.

More Seniors Living in Suburban and Rural Areas; Aging-in-Place Solutions Needed
Less dense communities provide specific challenges in providing services to residents in need of extra care. More seniors living in suburban and rural communities will require new and scalable solutions.

White People Don't Recognize Black Middle Class Neighborhoods
According to a series of studies, white people have a blindness for seeing the black middle class in neighborhoods—even if they don't display other forms of racial animus.

Opinion: To Overcome Segregation in Dallas, Look to the Past
A frank assessment of past policy wrongdoings is necessary to overcome inequality in the city.

Map Divvying Up Cleveland Resembles Redlining Maps of the Past
Cleveland neighborhoods were coded to help real estate investors, but the result is a map that harks back to old discriminatory housing practices, say critics.
48 Global Cities Work on Regulatory Framework for Digital Platforms
During the Sharing Cities Summit 2018, cities such as Amsterdam, Barcelona, Lisbon, Madrid, Montreal, New York, Paris, São Paulo, Seoul, Singapore, Stockholm, and Vienna agreed on a Declaration of Principles and Commitments of the Sharing Cities.

Cities Positioning for an Expanding Venture Capital Market
Cities outside of the big coastal tech hubs have characteristics well suited for the high-tech sector.
Pagination
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