New York City

Cities Lead a New Push to Reduce Urban Poverty

Recent reports have documented an alarming rise in poverty levels across America. With the federal government cutting funding for social programs serving the poor, cities are stepping into the void by creating anti-poverty centers.

August 1, 2013 - Governing

When Will NYC Mayoral Candidates Get Serious About Transit?

Monorails, reinstating the 'commuter tax,' and a city takeover of the MTA are among the proposals being bandied about by the candidates vying to become New York City's next mayor. Just one problem: they're all pie in the sky, say observers.

July 31, 2013 - The Wall Street Journal

Could Citywide BRT Slow NYC's Growing Transportation Inequity?

With five routes already in operation, New York City leaders are getting the taste for bus rapid transit. This week, one city council member introduced a bill that would require the city to develop a plan for a citywide BRT network.

July 26, 2013 - WNYC: Transportation Nation

NYC Mayoral Candidates Participate in Public Housing Pajama Party

For five Democratic candidates vying to become New York City's next mayor, a weekend sleepover in East Harlem's Lincoln Houses project was part reality show and part reality check.

July 22, 2013 - New York Daily News

Rotten Apple: Noise Pollution Spoils Life for New Yorkers

The fact that New York is loud is unlikely to surprise anyone. But despite decades of noise abatement efforts, the contributors to noise pollution keep multiplying. As scientists recognize the multitude of negative health impacts, what can be done?

July 13, 2013 - The New York Times

Safeguarding New York's Most Vulnerable Neighborhood

While Staten Island and Rockaway, Queens also suffered devastation from Superstorm Sandy; Broad Channel, an island in Jamaica Bay, Queens, may be the lowest lying area in the City and endures tidal flooding regularly, not just from storm surges.

July 12, 2013 - The New York Times - N.Y. / Region

How Bloomberg's Bluster Inspired New York to Build Taller

Kicking off its in-depth examination of the ways in which New York City has been remade during Mayor Bloomberg's tenure, Matthew Schuerman looks at the city's astonishing vertical growth, a significant feat considering the shadow of 9/11.

July 11, 2013 - WNYC

A Guide to New York's Celebrated and Underrated Urban Landscapes

If you haven't managed to escape from, or you've managed to escape to, New York City this holiday weekend you might be pleased to learn that a new guide to the city's urban landscapes has been published by Norton Architecture and Design Books.

July 3, 2013 - The Architect's Newspaper Blog

Sit and Stay a While: Imaginative Benches Populate NYC's Parks

Just a few decades ago, clients were discouraging designers from providing comfortable resting spots in NYC's parks. For a crop of new public spaces, designers are dreaming up fanciful park furniture that beckons people to stop and stay a while.

July 3, 2013 - The New York Times

New York Looks to Transform Its Other Unloved Transit Hub

Attention has recently focused on efforts to pave the way for a renovation of NYC's Penn Station. But a study announced Thursday will investigate how to upgrade, or replace, the hulking Port Authority Bus Terminal, the world's busiest bus facility.

June 29, 2013 - The New York Times

Climate Adaptation: Is Miami Indefensible?

In advance of President Obama's long-awaited speech on climate change, NPR looked at climate adaptation - preparing for the environmental changes it will cause. Rising sea level is the topic. In the U.S., two cities stand out: New York and Miami.

June 26, 2013 - NPR

Can New York's Most Suburban Borough Develop a Real Downtown?

Laura Kusisto looks at plans set to be unveiled this week for revitalizing Staten Island's north shore neighborhoods - one of the Bloomberg administration's top priorities in its waning days.

June 25, 2013 - The Wall Street Journal

'Rest Stop for the Urban Age' to Hit NYC Streets

How many times have you hunted in vain for a place to charge your phone for a few minutes while running between errands? Hunt no more. An experimental, and elegant, solar-powered cell phone charging station is set to hit the streets of New York.

June 18, 2013 - Fast Company Co.Design

Who Deserves Blame for New York's Parks Disparity?

Many assume that the affluence of the surrounding neighborhood determines the health of New York City's parks. According to Lisa W. Foderaro, elected leadership, rather than location, determines which parks in the city are better maintained.

June 18, 2013 - The New York Times

NYC Building Code Gets Sandy-Inspired Rewrite

Last week, Mayor Bloomberg proposed sweeping changes to New York City's building code to better prepare the city's built environment for the increasing threats of rising seas and extreme storms that Hurricane Sandy made clear.

June 16, 2013 - The New York Times

New Signs for New York City Beaches in Sandy's Wake

New York City is marking its continued recovery from Superstorm Sandy with redesigned beach signs.

June 14, 2013 - Atlantic Cities

Sequester Cuts Menace New York's Most Vulnerable Residents

A looming $205 million budget shortfall due to sequester-related federal funding cuts have the New York City Housing Authority (NYCHA) preparing to make drastic cuts to staff and programs.

June 13, 2013 - Crain's New York Business

Launch of Chicago Bike Share Delayed Again; Are Citi Bike's Problems to Blame?

It turns out New York isn't the only large city struggling to get its heralded bike-share system off the ground. Chicago's rush to launch Divvy has hit a snag, delaying the program's launch by two weeks.

June 13, 2013 - WNYC: Transportation Nation

New York Plans $20 Billion Battle Against Climate Change

On Tuesday, Mayor Bloomberg outlined an ambitious $20 billion plan to adapt New York City's infrastructure and built and natural environments to respond to the threats of rising seas and extreme storms.

June 12, 2013 - The New York Times

Finding Room for a Million More New Yorkers

New York City's population is expected to grow by one million residents by 2040. But where can housing be built to accommodate all these new residents? A new report from a Columbia University think tank identifies the most promising candidates.

June 11, 2013 - The Wall Street Journal

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.