United States

Hazy view of Interstate 5 freeway in Los Angeles, California.

Study: Air Pollution Disproportionately Impacts Communities of Color

The negative effects of poor air quality occur at higher rates in low-income neighborhoods and communities of color, according to new research.

March 7, 2024 - George Washington University

Trolley bus in San Francisco, California.

Federal Funding Takes Aim at Public Transit

Close to $10 billion in federal funding will help local transit agencies with maintenance, operations, and equipment costs.

March 7, 2024 - Bloomberg CityLab

Close-up of bronze plaque on building with "United States Environmental Protection Agency" text.

EPA Releases Equity Action Plan

The agency is taking a more holistic approach to addressing environmental justice concerns.

March 6, 2024 - The Equation

Close-up of laptop screen with U.S. Treasury Dept. website pulled up.

Feds Unlock Covid Aid Funds for Affordable Housing

New initiatives from the Treasury Department will let unspent assistance dollars fund a wider range of housing projects.

March 6, 2024 - Yahoo Finance

Grandparents walking with young grandchild through park with fall foliage.

Feds Award Senior Housing Grants; Experts Say More is Needed

A federal infusion of cash could help create more affordable housing for seniors, but many still struggle to afford housing.

March 6, 2024 - Morningstar

Three EMTs in orange uniforms putting gurney with person onto ambulance at night under freeway overpass.

Study: Unhoused People at Much Higher Risk of Death

The mortality rate among people experiencing homelessness jumped by 203 percent between 2011 and 2020.

March 5, 2024 - Governing

Two-lane highway with solid yellow center line and one car driving away against backdrop of red rock formations in Nevada.

Traffic Deaths Rise Sharply on Western Roads

The region is seeing higher rates of road deaths in part due to larger vehicles, high speed limits, and inadequate pedestrian infrastructure.

March 5, 2024 - High Country News

Grey concrete curb ramp with small bumps for the visually impaired.

Understanding Accessibility in the Public Right-of-Way

A ‘best practices’ manual guides accessibility on streets and sidewalks, but remains legally unenforceable.

March 5, 2024 - Streetsblog USA

Blue and white Pittsburgh bike share bikes lined up at a station with a red city bus on street in background.

Micromobility Operators Call for Better Links to Transit

For shared mobility to succeed, systems must tap into the connectivity and funding potential offered by closer collaboration with public transit.

March 4, 2024 - GovTech

Crew in orange safety vests stand on roadway next to orange heavy equipment

Bipartisan Infrastructure Bill Funds Have ‘Overwhelmingly’ Gone to Highway Projects

A new report says states are creating a “climate time bomb” by spending more than half of federal infrastructure dollars on highway resurfacing and expansion over transit and passenger rail.

March 4, 2024 - The Guardian

Black woman speaking at podium with presentation screen in background.

Climate Justice Advocate Named One of TIME's Women of the Year

Jacqueline Patterson has dedicated her career to intersectional approaches to systems change and social and environmental justice.

March 4, 2024 - Time Magazine

View from between tall white brick buildings in evening in downtown Los Angeles with modern office building across street.

Federal Office Conversion Program Slow to Start

To date, no loans have closed through a federal program meant to spur office-to-residential conversions.

March 3, 2024 - Bloomberg CityLab

Zebra crosswalk with raised curb extensions and bioswale on small street with parked cars and mature trees.

How Capturing Rainwater Can Make Cities Safer, More Resilient

Green infrastructure can help prevent flooding and replenish groundwater supplies, preventing subsidence that makes land sink.

March 3, 2024 - Wired

Elderly man and granddaughter standing on public bus.

Opinion: To Improve Health Outcomes, Invest in Public Transit

A medical student calls for improving public transit to boost the health of people and the environment.

March 3, 2024 - The Equation

Ice fishing tents surrounded by fence in Safe Outdoor Space for unhoused people in parking lot in Denver, Colorado.

An Affordable Housing Model for Indigenous Americans

Indigenous people make up a disproportionately high percentage of the unhoused population, but many programs designed to assist them don’t reach those most in need.

March 1, 2024 - High Country News

Aerial view of canal cut into beach in Charlestow, Rhode Island with boats parked in sand.

Northeastern Waterways More Polluted After Wet Year

Intense rains washed more runoff into local bodies of water, while warmer temperatures contributed to the growth of an invasive bloom.

March 1, 2024 - University of Rhode Island

Black-and-white photo of street with old black model T and brick building on the corner.

The History of Racial Zoning and Housing Discrimination in the US

More than a century of discriminatory housing policy divided cities and contributed to the racial wealth gap and other social and economic inequities.

February 29, 2024 - Urban Land Magazine

Aerial view of Vail, Colorado in winter with multi-story buildings in foregorund and snowy mountains in background.

Opinion: Resort Towns Must Take Action to Keep Housing Affordable

The workers that keep many popular tourist destinations running find it more difficult to find affordable housing near their jobs as more remote workers move to scenic resort areas.

February 29, 2024 - Governing

Silver train at station on elevated track with city high-rises in the background.

How Federal Policy Can Encourage TOD

Tying transit and land acquisition funding together could help produce more housing near transit hubs.

February 29, 2024 - Urban Institute

A bouquet of flowers stands in the grass beside a rural road as a car drives by.

Small Cities at Disadvantage to Win Federal Safe Street Grants

Funding from the Bipartisan Infrastructure Law aimed at making streets safer is being awarded through a competitive grant program, but it’s not going to the communities that need it most, an investigation shows.

February 29, 2024 - USA Today

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.