United Kingdom
Will A Nicer Station Encourage Transit Use?
Transit officials in the UK hope a redesign of a transit station will help lure motorists to public transit.
Zoning Loophole Eyes Backyards As Developable Brownfields
A zoning loophole classifying backyard gardens as brownfields has opened the door for developers in England to tear down homes and rebuild flats and apartments, eating up the equivalent of nearly 3,000 soccer fields in the next decade.
To Preserve Its Skyline, London May Limit Skyscrapers
Preservationists are calling for buffer zones around the city's heritage sites, which could upset Mayor Ken Livingstone's plans to spur urban regeneration with new high-rise buildings.
Friday Funny: Here Comes The Bride -- On The Bus
A British couple decided to incorporate public transit into their wedding, arriving to the ceremony by bus, and then taking the all the guests along to the reception.
More Kids Not Allowed To Go Out And Play
Fewer and fewer parents are allowing their children to leave the house unattended. Citing safety concerns, nearly half of parents prefer to keep their kids home.
High Density For The Dead
Space for the dead is an increasingly tight commodity in England, so the government has pushed plans to increase the density of its graveyards. Under the new plans, older gravesites could be altered to accommodate up to six additional coffins.
Cities In US And UK Consider Public Wi-Fi
In both the US and the UK, local governments are looking to offer wireless internet access in public spaces as a way to get more people out on the streets and near businesses. But they are carefully considering the idea's sustainability.
A Primer on Community Cohesion
The UK releases a summary report on the growing need in the country for greater 'Community Cohesion' -- or how to promote community citizenship based on greater knowledge and contact between different cultures.
The World's First Fleet of Driverless Taxis
Heathrow Airport is set to launch what may be the world's largest trial of a personal rapid transit (PRT) system. The electric "pod cabs" will carry passengers and luggage from a parking area to a new terminal -- a journey of about four minutes.
England Moves Forward On Pay-As-You-Drive Program
The British government has approved rules that lay the foundation for pay-as-you-go road pricing pilot programs. Critics worry the rules preface national control over the controversial systems.
Conversion Of Rail Line To Bus Guideway Incites Preservationists
Locals in two British villages have rallied together to save a 160-year old train station, which is faces demolition as an unused rail line is converted to the country's longest bus guideway.
Major Planning System Reorganization Proposed In England
Officials in England propose a massive reorganization of the country's planning system, including the creation of an independent commission that would be charged with approving major infrastructure projects.
UK To Sell Public Buildings For One Pound
Government officials in the UK have reveled a plan to sell off underutilized public buildings directly to communities for below-market prices, as low as one pound. They hope the sales will improve public services across the country.
English PM-Hopeful Proposes Green Housing Plan
The man many expect to become the new English Prime Minister has proposed a plan to create 100,000 houses in five carbon-neutral "eco-towns" to help fight back against the country's housing crunch in a sustainable way.
City's 3D Model Is A New Planning Tool
A virtual 3D model of parts of Glasgow, Scotland, has been completed and is now available for viewing online. Organizers of the detailed modeling effort anticipate it being a powerful tool for planners and the public.
UK Officials Look To Counteract Housing Crunch
The supply of housing is being overpowered by demand in England, and government officials are hoping to establish measures that would ease the process of building new homes and increase the amount of affordable housing.
Tackling Air Pollution In London By Enacting A Low Emission Zone
Having successfully reduced congestion through enacting congestion pricing in central London, Mayor Livingstone now plans to take the same approach to air pollution by designating greater London to be a Low Emission Zone.
Big Brother Is Watching ... And Listening ... And Talking
Citing the popularity and success of closed-circuit television cameras that have been installed in many public places for crime-fighting purposes, politicians in the UK are considering attaching microphones and even loudspeakers to these cameras.
Politicians Propose Mag-Lev In Scotland
Politicians in Scotland are trying to gather support for a plan to build a high-speed magnetic levitation train between the country's two biggest cities, Glasgow and Edinburgh. But opponents worry the proposal would hinder other rail development.
A City Off The Grid
A town in England has completely cut itself off from the national power grid, providing all its own energy with mini power stations and renewable energy. Some doubt the system's practicality, but others say it is the new standard for cities.
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
