United Kingdom
Does Public Involvement Enhance Tough Decision-Making?
A local Council in Scotland is considering convening a Citizens Panel to consider the next round of difficult cuts to local budgets. This opinion piece debates whether public involvement is a value-added, or if it just slows down decisionmaking.
What Lies 20 Years Ahead for London
The Guardian asks prominent thinkers what sort of city London will be in 20 years.
Carbon Emission Standards vs. Historic Preservation
In the U.K., new carbon emission standards may mean that great numbers of buildings from the 1960s and 70s will need to be demolished.
Elite Core of Architects Should Make Planning Decisions
Amanda Levete argues that the planning process in the U.K. should be taken out of the hands of government and public process and handed to a panel of qualified architects.
Friday Bummer: Hit-and-Run Driver Kills Commuting Cat
Casper, a cat from Plymouth, England who was frequently seen riding one of the town's bus lines, was tragically killed by a hit-and-run driver.
London Airport Seen as Ideal Hub for Proposed High Speed Rail
A conservative think tank in the UK is calling for London's Heathrow Airport to become a new high speed rail hub. However, the group warns that increased traffic would necessitate the construction of a third runway.
Disparity Between Success and Failure Widening in U.K. Cities
The difference between success and failure in the U.K. has gotten worse with the recession, with ailing cities getting worse and successful cities are coming out even stronger.
Coastal Towns Told to Radically Transform in Face of Sea Level Rise
Cities along the British coast are being warned that sea level rise over the next 100 years will have significant destructive effects. Officials are being cautioned to consider city-altering plans that shift populations away from endangered areas.
2000 - 2009: The Decade in Planning
The editors' choice of the most significant stories in the realm of urban planning, design and development of the "aughts" (2000-2009). The decade began with one crash and ended with another, but in between we've learned a lot about making cities.
London to Open City Data Streams
London is making public more than 200 streams of city data, joining a host of world cities in sharing city-collected data with its citizens.
Locals Peeved About New 'Clean' Scottish Power Lines
A 137-mile clean energy transmission line has been approved in the UK, connecting wind and wave power facilities near the coast. But some environmental groups are not happy about the plan.
London For Sale
Britain is becoming increasingly privatized as urban regeneration projects put entire neighborhoods in the hands of developers. One project spans 34 of Liverpool's streets, putting public space in private control.
UK Camera Count Triples in 10 Years
The amount of closed-circuit security cameras operated by local councils in the United Kingdom has nearly tripled over the past 10 years, according to a new report.
Old Buildings See New Life As Schools
School officials in the UK are increasingly looking at old office buildings and other existing facilities that can be converted into school houses more affordably than building from scratch.
Re-Urbanizing the Suburbanized
The majority of the world's population now lives in urban areas -- except for Britain. Some say that bucked trend must be reversed.
How Many British Cyclists Would it Take to Power Your House?
In this clip from the BBC, 80 cyclists struggle to power a British household for one day.
Crowded Tubers Getting Ruder
A new report shows that overcrowding on the London Tube is hardening transit takers, turning them ruthless and selfish. Even pregnant riders are left to fend for themselves.
Beauty and the Bike
A new project in the UK aimed at getting girls on bikes has yielded liberating results.
UK Weighs Environmental Costs of Harnessing Tidal Power
The UK government is hoping to achieve part of it's renewable energy production mandate by harnessing the tidal power of its largest river. Opponents say the plan could destroy the river's ecosystem.
Trying to Define Boris Johnson's Vision for London
After a very public difference of opinions, the departure of Lord Rogers as London Mayor Boris Johnson's architectural adviser, the mayor is trying to define his vision for the city's design future. But some say he needs to be a bit more clear.
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
