Social / Demographics

Alternative Analysis Pegs L.A. Homeless Count at Over 100,000
Casting doubt on an official estimate of around 52,000, researchers at a Los Angeles-based nonprofit put the number at close to double that level. That's accounting for anyone who became homeless at some point during the year.

Friday Eye Candy: Mapping Distance and Social Connectedness
The New York Times published an interactive map that shows how important distance is in determining connections on social media.

The Next Environmental Stewards
The research is clear: For climate leadership, look no further than young people, people of color, and young people of color.

Gov. Jerry Brown Signs 16 Bills to Spur Sales of New and Used Electric Vehicles
On the second day of the Global Climate Action Summit, co-host Gov. Jerry Brown signed 16 bills onboard a new plug-in hybrid electric ferry in San Francisco Bay to spur sales of zero-emission vehicles and reduce greenhouse gas emissions.

A Tale of Arts-Driven Gentrification in Northeast Minneapolis
It's a familiar story: artists who flocked to an underused district for the low prices and plentiful space now find themselves inundated by new money, newcomers, and lots of craft beer.

Study of Evictions in Kansas City Provides Insight Into a National Problem
A new report on eviction data from Kansas City reveals systematic factors related to the housing crisis.

Through Thick and Thin, Support for California’s Proposition 13 Hasn’t Waned
Since its passage 40 years ago, the controversial legislation has remained consistently popular with Californians.

‘Social Infrastructure’ and the Interactions That Bond Us
Richard Florida talks with sociologist Eric Klinenberg about his new book and the places and organizations that help hold society together.

Survey: Women Opt for Safer Bike Infrastructure
Most cyclists would rather ride apart from vehicle traffic, but that preference is especially pronounced among women.

Using Yelp to Predict Gentrification
New research draws on the popular review site Yelp to predict changes in housing prices and demographics.

Do Seniors Need Cars?
One common argument against road diets and other pro-walkability policies is that seniors need cars more than anyone else. Is this claim borne out by data?

'Vida' Examines Gentrification in East L.A. But Now Faces Backlash from Real-Life Protesters
A show about the impacts of gentrification in a working-class immigrant neighborhood in Los Angeles is generating controversy among those it represents.

Study Details the Traffic Safety Benefits of Public Transit
A new study concludes that not only is transit a safer way to travel, but communities oriented around transit are also safer. As a result, planning approaches that encourage transit also increase traffic safety.

How L.A. Plans to Address Intersecting Issues of Homelessness and Open Space
In California, agencies are working to redefine enforcement and safety procedures as the number of homeless individuals who seek refuge in vulnerable open or wild landscapes continue to increase.

Will Innovative Financing Solve California's Housing Shortage?
Are housing and housing finance two separate problems? California Assemblymember David Chiu and others in housing discuss how available finance tools could be employed to expand the capital pool for affordable housing projects.

Report: Location-Based Rent Premiums Are a Good Investment
If the rent is too damn high, it might still be a good investment.

Family Money Boosts Chances of Homeownership for Californians
Buying a home in California is increasingly a matter of generational wealth.
Rural Studio’s 20K Homes and the Complexities of Affordable Housing
A research program at Auburn University in Alabama seeks to go national, but experience from the program’s evolution means a cautious move forward.

The Many Benefits of Wandering Through Cities on Foot
Forget the countryside. Urban walking helps people understand their cities while at the same time encouraging urban landscapes where people actually want to walk.

Shrinking Towns Seek the Right to Dissolve
Small jurisdictions in Pennsylvania are losing population and revenue, and some of them are ready to call it a day.
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