United Kingdom
Public Pianos Beckon Musicians in Suburban England
Pianos have popped up in random public places in Birmingham, England -- a public art installation that passively invites passersby to take a seat and tickle the ivory.
What's in a Name?
The town of Slough gets no respect, but it's trying.
Friday Funny: Addressing the Dangers of Texting While Walking
More and more people are injuring themselves by walking into poles while looking down at their cell phones. This video from ITN News looks at an effort in England to make the streets safer for walking texters.
Engineers Call on UK to Shift to Rail
A group of mechanical engineers is calling on planners and transportation officials to more aggressively pursue a modal shift from cars to rail to reduce carbon emissions in the UK.
The Town That Keeps You in Shape
Prince Charles has initiated an effort to build the world's first "trim town" -- a city form that aims to improve the health of its residents by creating walkable environments.
Statues and Limitations
Public art in the United Kingdom is coming under increasing scrutiny as artists and the public grapple with the question of who should be memorialized in statue form: significant historical figures or ordinary people?
London's Mayoral Hopefuls Promote Their Green Sides
Candidates for mayor in London are touting their green credentials in the global city as is continues to win acclaim for progressive and environmentally conscious planning and administration.
Attack of the Public Art 'Monsters'
Prominent museum heads in the United Kingdom are calling for greater discretion in the commissioning of public art pieces. They say the latest batch of sculptures are "monsters".
Europe's Next Great Bicycling City
London is planning a new "superhighway" bicycle network that will help transform it into one of the most bicycle-friendly cities in the world.
Friday Funny: Castle? What Castle?
A farmer in England secretly built a mock-Tudor castle on his property and kept it out of view for years by hiding it behind a 40-foot stack of hay bales.
Prince Charles Says Skyscrapers Ruin Historic Cities
A new speech by the Prince of Wales this week warns of a "rash" of "carbuncles" destroying tourism assets.
Largest Low Emission Zone Opens
The world's largest low emission zone will come into effect next week in London.
Glowering Alone
On-board shoving and online ranting point to increasing narcissism and incivility in the public realm.
Britain Fails to Keep the Home Fires Burning
Despite making energy poverty a major domestic policy focus, the British government is being accused of underfunding its program, just as the number of homes living in energy poverty is at its highest level in almost a decade.
The Flood-Prone Should Look to the Dutch
Plans for 250,000 new houses on a floodplain in Britain and broad redevelopment plans in New Orleans have many wondering why planners aren't looking to the flood expertise of the Dutch.
Congestion 'Endemic' on British Roads
Despite its relatively low car ownership rates, Britain has one of the worst public transit systems and the most congested roads among industrialized nations, according to a a new report.
Competition For UK Roads Reaches Flashpoint
A BBC TV special examines the heated interaction between pedestrians, cyclists, and motorists jockeying for scarce road space in Britain.
At The Helm of a Major Revitalization Project
Liverpool is currently undergoing a broad revitalization effort, including more than 40 buildings and a brand new city center. This article from Building talks with the man in charge of it all.
Heathrow's PRT System On Track For Operation
A personal rapid transit (PRT) system is currently under construction as part of the renovation of London's Heathrow airport. The system is on track to begin operations within two years.
Car-Free Days Flood London With Pedestrians -- And Commerce
Temporarily pedestrianized streets in London brought nearly a million people out for a day of walking and shopping recently, resulting in more than $200 million worth of sales.
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
