United Kingdom

World's Largest Wind Farm Project Approved

U.K. government approves two offshore wind farm projects in the Thames Estuary.

December 22, 2006 - Abhijeet Chavan

Another Day At The Office

In London, a housing crunch is creating a new trend of converting old office spaces into housing. The majority of the city's new housing developments are actually old office spaces.

December 21, 2006 - Times of London

A First-Hand Report On London's Congestion Pricing

John Landis, Chair of the City and Regional Planning at the University of California, Berkeley, provides a fascinating first-hand review of London's congestion charging program, and offers his perspective on transportation and land use in the city.

December 19, 2006 - Access: Transportation Research at the University of California

Local Business Suffers As Council Calls For Economic Safe Bet

The city council in Oxford, England, is considering replacing what's left of its local businesses and public spaces with city-revenue-generating corporate chains and retail outlets.

December 5, 2006 - New Statesman

Affordable Housing By Ikea

The Swedish furniture retailer is expanding its market to include ready-made and modestly-sized homes. Already selling well in Scandinavia, the homes are part of a new plan to address Britain's affordable housing shortage.

December 2, 2006 - The Guardian Unlimited

The Best Parking Spot In Britain

A parking enthusiast drives around the United Kingdom to find the best car park experience.

November 23, 2006 - BBC News

Scotland's Planning System Changes Leave Out Public

Broad changes to Scotland's planning systems were recently approved. A proposal to give communities a third party right of appeal did not pass, leaving many residents concerned that they will have little say in the planning and development of their communities.

November 20, 2006 - The Scotsman

London's Congestion Charge May Increase For Heavy Polluters

A proposal has been made to increase the charge levied on highly polluting cars traveling into London's central congestion zone. The 8-pound fee could rise to 25 pounds for some drivers.

November 17, 2006 - Planet Ark

Rising Above Threat On Floodplains

With more than 1.6 million Britons living in high-risk flood areas -- a number expected to double or even triple within 75 years -- lawmakers and environmentalists are looking for safer ways to house people on floodplains.

November 14, 2006 - Times of London

London's Infamous East End Looks To Leave Its Past Behind

While still dogged by its tawdry and crime-ridden reputation, London's East Side is booming with nightlife and vibrant neighborhoods. More big redevelopment plans underway as the city begins to prepare for the 2012 Olympics.

November 5, 2006 - The Sydney Morning Herald

Another Plan For Combating Climate Change

Responding to a report by British economist Nicholas Stern, a recent article in the Guardian outlines a 10 point plan for taking action on climate change without "bringing civilization crashing down."

November 2, 2006 - The Guardian

Ireland Looks To Recruit American Workers

Faced with low unemployment rates and worker shortages in certain high-skill sectors, Irish companies are increasingly looking to other countries - especially the U.S. - for employees.

November 2, 2006 - The Wall Street Journal

New Poll Shows Londoners In Favor Of Increased Mayoral Planning Powers

A new poll of Londoners shows the majority backing a proposal to grant the city's mayor increased power to intervene in the planning process.

October 31, 2006 - Ealing Times

The Cultural Importance Of A Scottish New Town

An academic in Scotland is looking to add the post-war New Town of East Kilbride to the list of UNESCO World Heritage Sites, an illustrious list of culturally important sites from all over the world.

October 24, 2006 - The Herald

Scottish Highlands Poised For Growth

As one of Europe's fastest growing regions, the burgeoning City of Inverness is grappling with its growth issues by contemplating the benefits of New Urbanism.

October 10, 2006 - The Times

U.K. Waterfront Seeks International Acclaim

In a trend being seen all over the world, planners are looking to the waterfront in Plymouth, England, for redevelopment as a site worthy of international acclaim.

October 6, 2006 - BBC

Londoners Oppose Increasing Mayor's Planning Powers

The majority of London residents oppose a proposal to grant increased power to the city's mayor to more tightly control the planning process.

September 29, 2006 - eGov Monitor

Scotland Looks To Reform Planning Practices

Scotland may be on the cusp of overhauling its planning practices, which are now seen as cumbersome, exclusive, and outdated.

September 28, 2006 - Mike Lydon

Carbon Emission Standards Requested In Planning Policy

Environmentalists and land use activists in the United Kingdom are calling on planners and policymakers to integrate standards that reduce carbon emissions within their official planning policies.

September 26, 2006 - The Guardian Unlimited

Sea Of Sameness

This column from the UK's New Statesman bemoans the drab similarity of English towns. A report concludes that 42% of the nation's town's are essentially 'clones'.

September 24, 2006 - New Statesman

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.