District of Columbia

How D.C.'s Department of Housing and Community Development Will Tackle Housing Challenges

Aaron Wiener interviews Polly Donaldson—the recently hired head the Department of Housing and Community Development (DHCD) in Washington, D.C.—about her strategies for improving housing in the Nation's Capital.

May 16, 2015 - Washington City Paper

Washington, D.C.'s Downtown Playground Desert

D.C.'s fast-growing downtown neighborhoods have new restaurants, offices and apartments—but few playgrounds. With thousands of children expected to be born in the District in the next five years, where will they all play?

May 5, 2015 - Elevation DC

20 Years of Planning for Streetcars in Washington, D.C.

In anticipation of the expected opening of the H Street/Benning Road streetcar line in Washington, D.C., Peter Dovak examines the evolution of streetcar planning over the past 20 years.

May 5, 2015 - Greater Greater Washington

Appropriations Committee Would Cut Half of D.C. Metro's Funding

A Republican spending bill would slash funding for the D.C. Metro by half. Local Democrats have called the proposal shortsighted and ill timed.

April 30, 2015 - The Hill

Diversity Trending the Wrong Direction for D.C.'s Capital Bikeshare

The diversity gap between the population of Washington, D.C. and the membership of its model bikeshare system is well established, but it's also getting worse.

April 30, 2015 - The Washington Post

Washington D.C. Metro

D.C. Metro Stops Poised for Growth in Ridership

While transit ridership is up around the country, the D.C. Metro has experienced the opposite. The agency's planners aren't worried about those numbers, though. They're excited about development that's bringing more residents to transit-served areas.

April 30, 2015 - The Washington Post

Should a Parking Lot in D.C. Be Saved in the Name of Historic Preservation?

In the wealthy community of Spring Valley, just inside the western boundaries of the District of Columbia, residents are opposing a proposed development by claiming the site—a parking lot—is a historic landmark.

April 17, 2015 - Washington City Paper

Where D.C.'s Metro Brings in the Most Money

A newly released map shows which stations in the Metrorail system bring in the most revenue for the Washington Metropolitan Area Transit Authority (D.C. Metro).

April 16, 2015 - Washington City Paper

Details about ParkDC—Washington, D.C.'s Performance Parking Program

As the District Department of Transportation (DDOT) quickly approaches the May target for the launch of ParkDC, Greater Greater Washington takes a closer look at what the performance parking program will entail.

April 15, 2015 - Greater Greater Washington

U.S. EPA Announces 2014 Energy Star Top Cities: D.C. Tops

A U.S.EPA list ranks the cities leading the nation with the most energy efficient commercial buildings.

April 6, 2015 - U.S. EPA

Can Washington D.C. Keep Rolling on Bike Infrastructure?

Bike advocates are concerned that after a "banner year" for bike infrastructure in the nation’s capital, the momentum for bike infrastructure is waning rather than building. How much do these kinds of missed opportunities cost?

March 22, 2015 - WAMU

Businesses Band Together to Rebrand Their Block

It's just one block, but a block disrupted by changes happening just a quarter-mile away. So these businesses came together to rebrand their street and bring customers back.

March 13, 2015 - Elevation DC

Three Challenges for Multi-Modal Trip Planning Apps

A recent post on Mobility Lab explains some of the challenges developers encounter when creating the multi-modal trip planner apps of our dreams.

March 10, 2015 - Mobility Lab

D.C. Streetcar Expansion May Be Further Trimmed

New Washington, D.C. Mayor Bowser may deviate from the prior administration by not supporting the expansion of the streetcar line. This is a double-blow to streetcar advocates, as Mayor Gray had already pared down the new streetcar's expansion plans.

March 7, 2015 - WAMU

Residents Protest for the Right to Bear Sleds on Capitol Hill Snow Day

The sledding ban on Capitol Hill was too much for Washington, D.C. residents to bear. They brought wintertime fun to Congress on yesterday's snow day.

March 6, 2015 - The Hill

Rock Creek Park Washington D.C.

Documenting D.C.'s Demographic Shift

Data from Washington D.C. shows how the demographics of eastern neighborhoods have shifted heavily toward childless singles over the past decade.

March 1, 2015 - District Measured

Washington D.C. Metro

Friday Funny: A Sarcastic List for Why D.C. Metro is the 'Best'

A community user of Buzzfeed has clearly had it up to here with the daily frustrations of using transit on the Washington Metropolitan Area Transit Authority.

February 27, 2015 - BuzzFeed

DDOT's 2015 Goal: Filling Gaps in Bike Infrastructure

The District Department of Transportation's plans for 2015 include closing critical gaps in the District's bike infrastructure network.

February 23, 2015 - Greater Greater Washington

Shepard Fairey

Op-Ed: Don't Excuse Displacement when Rationalizing Gentrification

A recent article in Washington City Paper pushes back on the notion that the ill effects of gentrification are overblown. Resurgent cities must, according to the article, find ways to achieve the benefits of gentrification—without the displacement.

February 22, 2015 - Washington City Paper

Changing the 'How' and the 'What' in Infrastructure Spending

When it comes to infrastructure, we are frequently reminded of the consequences of not repairing roads and bridges. Two prolific transportation writers recently changed the focus to where the money is spent.

February 17, 2015 - CityLab

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.