United Kingdom
Irish Alcatraz?
Belfast developers plan on turning a Victorian-era jail into a tourist attraction, hotel, and art gallery. Her Majesty’s Prison Belfast closed in 1996, and is a symbol of The Troubles, the long struggle in Northern Ireland for Irish independence.
Congestion Pricing May Face Cut in London
London's new mayor is considering a plan to tone down the city's congestion charge system, reducing fees during certain hours.
Forget $4, What About $9?
With gas prices at more than $9 per gallon in Britain, driving habits are changing.
Is Brutalism Ready for a Comeback?
Steve Rose argues that the time may be ripe for a new respect for brutalism, the mid-century architectural movement that planners love to hate.
Can Planning Happen More Quickly?
Members of the British Parliament attempt to speed up the process for planning major projects. But some advocates and observers fear the public's voice will be muted.
London's Buried Rivers Rise Again
The Mayor of London is pushing a plan to bring London's undergrounded rivers to the surface.
Brits Say US Cities Should Look To UK's Successes
Dermot Finch of the Centre for Cities, an independent research group, says that the U.S. could learn a lot from the U.K.'s urban renaissance.
Church Vs. Casino
It's ethics vs. economics in a debate over a proposed casino in Stranraer, Scotland.
British Intelligence Tells Planners to Keep Plans Secret
MI5 has requested that planners and architects keep some details of building designs top secret as part of the fight against terrorism.
Cloning Speaker's Corner
A charity in Britain wants to replicate the success of London's heavily used Speaker's Corner in other parts of the country to encourage public interaction and discussion. Some say it's an idea that could never be.
Friday Funny: Party Goes Overboard During Last Call on London's Tube
London's underground subway system recently banned the consumption of alcoholic beverages, and to celebrate the last night of drunken train commuting, Londoners converged on trains to get hammered. They also got rowdy, assaulted and arrested.
UK 'Eco-Towns' May Encourage Sprawl
Plans for the construction of "eco-towns" in the UK have sparked protests from groups who argue that they will be too spread out and will encourage sprawl.
New Life for Ebenezer Howard's 'Garden City'
A campaign is underway in Wales to revive the "Garden City" concept, first brought to life in 1898. This time, supporters are claiming the radial, suburban plan is a sustainable alternative to cities.
Make Public Art Public
Pubilc art should be guided by public input, according to this commentary.
Staff Shortages Threaten System As Planners Age
A recent survey of the planning profession in the United Kingdom has found that there likely won't be enough young planners to replaces the aging planners approaching retirement.
New London Mayor Outlines Traffic and Transit Ideas
In this interview from last year, the now newly-elected mayor of London, Boris Johnson, talks about the importance of biking in the city, improving public transportation, and abolishing the city's congestion pricing system.
Summer Heat May Thaw Frozen Winter Roads
Officials in the United Kingdom are looking at a new technique to deal with frozen winter roads -- by collecting and saving summer heat.
Eco-Cities: Today's Garden Cities
England's plans to build 3 million new homes by 2020, and much emphasis has been placed on making them environmentally friendly. The push for "eco-town" draw a strong parallel to the "Garden Cities" of the past.
London Mayor Calls for $50 Driving Fee
London Mayor Ken Livingstone wants to increase the central city's congestion charge from $16 a day to $50. Drivers in the city are not too happy about it.
London To Transform Congestion Charge Into Climate Change Fee
Owners of gas-guzzling SUVs would pay $50 to drive into the central city, while drivers of low emission vehicles would now be exempt from the $16 congestion charge.
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
