United States

residential downtown in Singapore

Remembering the Health Benefits of Urban Density

According to this article, it would be a shame if the coronavirus inspires new levels of skepticism about density and city living.

March 29, 2020 - The New York Times

Coronavirus Social Distancing

More Details for Planners on the Federal Stimulus Package

As the U.S. House of representatives approved the passive stimulus package approved by the U.S. Senate earlier in the week, more details emerged about the parts of the bill that will be relevant to planners during the coming weeks and months.

March 29, 2020 - NPR

New York Subway Stairs

How We Learn Public Transportation and Infrastructure Lessons

"Who do you learn from?" is a question that transportation planners, particularly in the United States, should ask themselves.

March 27, 2020 - Pedestrian Observations

Emergency Sign

Predicting Hospital Capacity as the Coronavirus Spreads

An analysis of data about hospital capacity and possible infection trends shows that hospital facilities will be stretched thin even in the best-case scenario.

March 27, 2020 - ProPublica

Coronavirus Social Distancing

New Density Control Measure to Close Some New York Streets to Cars

To encourage recreational walking while practicing social distancing in order to reduce the spread of COVID-19, Gov. Andrew Cuomo asked the New York City mayor and city council speaker to devise a pilot project to provide for open streets.

March 26, 2020 - CNBC

Seattle light rail

Op-Ed: The Importance of Equity in Transportation Planning

Transportation planners must address equity issues in their work and involve the people most affected by the planning and policymaking process.

March 26, 2020 - Next City

Empty Subway

A Social Distancing Scorecard

A location data company has created a Social Distancing Scorecard to track the progress of Americans, down to the county level, in reducing travel in accordance with recommendations to reduce physical contact.

March 26, 2020 - Unacast

Millennium Bridge

Britain Shuts Down and India Locks Down to Contain COVID-19

In a major reversal, Prime Minister Boris Johnson dramatically strengthened his policies on containing the pandemic, ordering residents on Monday to stay at home and closing nonessential businesses. Prime Minister Narendra Modi of Inda went further.

March 26, 2020 - The New York Times

Homeless

The Crisis Within the Crisis: Homelessness and Housing Pushed to the Brink by COVID-19

Cities, states, and the federal government are trying to prevent a repeat of 2008 while still facing the challenges of inequality and poverty that grew out of the previous recession.

March 26, 2020 - James Brasuell

East Rutherford, New Jersey

Frontlines of the Social Distancing Effort Shifts to Parks and Open Space

Too many people have been seeking normalcy on parks and on trails. This isn’t a normal time.

March 25, 2020 - The Philadelphia Inquirer

Capitol Hill

Updated: $2 Trillion Federal Stimulus Includes Billions for Transit, Housing

The economic fallout of the COVID-19 pandemic has already hit public transit revenues hard, and the concerns of millions of renters around the country about how they'll afford to pay the rent are weighing heavily on the country.

March 25, 2020 - The New York Times

San Francisco City Hall

Local Coronavirus Action Tracker

Broadcasting information about local actions, to share knowledge and information, and to help local leaders calibrate responses.

March 25, 2020 - National League Of Cities

Donald Trump

White House Could End 'Slow the Spread' Coronavirus Guidelines

President Trump signaled that he was considering lifting the public health guidelines at the end of the 15-day period on March 30 due to the severe economic impacts caused by containment strategies despite mounting deaths caused by the pandemic.

March 24, 2020 - The Washington Post

Multi-Family Housing

Building Better Multi-Family Housing for Less

New research examines ways multifamily housing costs can be reduced through design and construction decisions.

March 24, 2020 - Joint Center for Housing Studies of Harvard University

Los Angeles, California

How Downtown L.A.'s First 'Re:Code' Community Plan Embraces Density and Affordability

Vince Bertoni addresses his city’s efforts to incentivize affordable housing and noted the responsibility shared at the state, regional, and local level for policy & regulatory change to incent provision of affordable housing.

March 24, 2020 - The Planning Report

Cleveland Public Square

Delaware, Louisiana, and Ohio Prepare to Shut Down Non-Essential Businesses

As confirmed cases of COVID-19 increase rapidly throughout the nation, governors of Delaware, Louisiana, and Ohio on Sunday issued stay-at-home orders that take effect Monday night or Tuesday to protect residents and hospitals.

March 24, 2020 - Bloomberg

Single Family Residential Construction

Analyzing the U.S. Housing Market in the Early Days of COVID-19

The lessons of the 2008 housing market crash don't necessarily apply to the current situation.

March 24, 2020 - Curbed

Food Carts

The Historical Effect of Pandemics on the Economy and the Housing Market

Research into previous pandemics, like SARS in 2003, the Spanish Flu in 1918, and the early months of COVID-19 in China, offers insight into what to expect for the economy and the housing market during and after the current pandemic.

March 23, 2020 - Zillow

Accessory Dwelling Unit

6 Zoning Keys for Effective Missing Middle Housing

The inventor of the term missing middle housing has advice on writing zoning codes that effectively deliver on the potential of the tool.

March 23, 2020 - CNU Public Square

Empty Street

The Regional Economic Impacts of the Coronavirus

The effects of a nationwide economic recession will likely hit hardest those regions with vulnerable sectors.

March 23, 2020 - The Avenue (Brookings)

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.