United Kingdom

renewable Energy

Majority of Power in the U.K. Generated by Wind for the First Time

Wind power generated 50.67 percent of the U.K.’s energy supply on one day in December, marking a major milestone in the history of renewable energy.

January 6, 2021 - The Hill

Social Distancing

Pandemic Endgame: The Goalposts are Moving

With most of the nation in the coronavirus "red zone," the endgame to the pandemic in the U.S. is likely through achieving herd immunity, preferably through vaccinations, but the nation's top infectious disease expert has been changing the threshold.

December 30, 2020 - The New York Times

Tin Pan Alley in London

Traffic Reductions in Outer London's 'Mini-Hollands' Curtail Vehicle Ownership

An analysis of areas designated as "low traffic neighborhoods" shows a decrease in vehicle ownership rates, a promising sign for the traffic-choked metropolis.

December 17, 2020 - Findings

Queen Elizabeth

England Begins Second Lockdown to Protect the National Health Service

The day after Election Day in America, the U.K. Parliament voted overwhelmingly to impose a 4-week lockdown in England to ensure that nation's prized healthcare system doesn't collapse due to treating mounting coronavirus infections.

November 8, 2020 - The Independent

New York City Coronavirus

Envisioning the Post-Pandemic City

The coronavirus has upended urban life, but it also provides an opportunity to look to new and innovative redesign of cities in the future.

October 11, 2020 - The Guardian

Bike Light

This is How the British Started Cycling More

Cycling has never felt more relevant or encouraged in the UK. Since May, the London Councils have upgraded 60 km of bike lanes in the capital city, added 20,000 square metres of extra pavement space, and installed 1,500+ additional cycle parking.

September 18, 2020 - Cities of the Future

The Calls on the River Aire

The Most Compassionate City in the U.K.

Leeds is the third biggest city in the U.K., located in the north of England. While it may not necessarily appear on tourists’ top bucket list destinations, the Leeds City Council is determined to make it the best city in the U.K.

September 14, 2020 - Cities of the Future

Sidewalk Parking

Parking on Sidewalks Could Be Prohibited Throughout the U.K.

The United Kingdom could preempt local laws that allow drivers to park cars on sidewalks. The policy would provide clearer paths for people with disabilities and people choosing active transportation modes.

September 2, 2020 - The Guardian

City Sounds

The Sounds of Cities: Three Aural Vignettes

Monocle's The Urbanist podcast explores urban acoustic ecology to unveil the sonic signature of the coronavirus pandemic, the Greek island of Corfu, and Vienna streetscapes.

August 25, 2020 - Monocle/The Urbanist

London Bridge

London to Replace 2,000 Car Parking Spots With Bike Storage

London announced another sweeping round of changes to its transportation priority, further cementing the future of active transportation both during and after the pandemic.

July 15, 2020 - Forbes

London

The Renewed Challenge: Sustaining a City's Culture and Character

From the outset, defining the culture and character of a city is a daunting task, especially when the city around you disappears.

July 8, 2020 - Sustaining Place

Valencia, Spain

Micromobility Makes a Comeback

Decreased public transit ridership is bringing some transit agencies to consider partnerships with micromobility corporations.

July 2, 2020 - CoMotion News

London

Economic Stimulus in England: Speed Up Planning Approvals

To help jumpstart the economy in England, the country is taking the bureaucracy out of the planning process.

June 23, 2020 - Financial Times

Coronavirus Protest

Academic Studies: Staying at Home Saved Millions of Lives Globally

Separate coronavirus studies from the University of California at Berkeley and Imperial College London published June 8 in the journal Nature show the life and health-saving value of domestic stay-at-home orders, global lockdowns, and other measures.

June 15, 2020 - The Washington Post

Social Distancing

Overcrowded Housing Connected to Coronavirus Infection

"This is a housing disease."

June 2, 2020 - Inside Housing

Mayor Sadiq Khan

London Doubles Down on Vehicle Restrictions

A plan to completely overhaul the streets of London will require a "monumental" effort by all residents of the city, according to the mayor of London.

May 18, 2020 - Mayor of London

Central Park from Rockefeller Center Historic Photo

Design in the Time of Cholera: How Pandemics Reshaped the Built Environment

Some of the most beloved public parks and essential advances in public sanitation can be traced back to their roots in the Cholera outbreaks in the 1800s.

May 8, 2020 - History

Eataly Coronavirus

Suppression or Mitigation? The Language of Coronavirus Containment

A report from Imperial College London, viewed as the "gold standard" by British leaders, was instrumental in compelling the U.S. and the U.K. to enact stronger policies to contain COVID-19. But was it too late?

March 31, 2020 - The New York Times

Millennium Bridge

Britain Shuts Down and India Locks Down to Contain COVID-19

In a major reversal, Prime Minister Boris Johnson dramatically strengthened his policies on containing the pandemic, ordering residents on Monday to stay at home and closing nonessential businesses. Prime Minister Narendra Modi of Inda went further.

March 26, 2020 - The New York Times

Renovation

Resilience Plan Revealed in London

Resilience in a post-Brexit London.

February 11, 2020 - Smart Cities Dive

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.