United States

Children walking toward yellow school bus on a sunny day.

A Better Way to Plan School Facilities

Taking a wider view of communities could help keep schools open despite falling enrollment.

January 8, 2025 - Shelterforce Magazine

Close-up of hand holding white envelope with red "Past Due" stamp.

Half of US Tenants Are ‘Rent Burdened’

High housing costs are squeezing a record number of American households.

January 8, 2025 - Lexington Herald Leader

Close-up of hand holding smartphone and Tesla car hood in background.

NHTSA Investigation Targets Tesla Remote Parking

Dozens of videos reportedly show Tesla vehicles colliding with other cars, parking signs, and walls while using a driverless remote parking feature.

January 8, 2025 - The Verge

Cyclist on bike in green painted bike lane at intersection with three-story buildings in background.

NACTO Releases Updated Urban Bikeway Guide

The third edition of the nationally recognized road design guide includes detailed design advice for roads that prioritize safety and accessibility for all users.

January 8, 2025 - National Association of City Transportation Officials (NACTO)

Bird's eye view of roundabout with two lanes and four branches.

How I Learned to Stop Worrying and Love the Roundabout

What drives the U.S. backlash to roundabouts — objectively safer and more efficient than stop-and-go intersections?

January 8, 2025 - Bloomberg CityLab

Black banner with white text "We're building the future - Little Tokyo/Arts District Station" in Los Angeles, California.

How Did Transit Projects Fare in 2024?

A comprehensive list of public transit expansions and new lines that opened in 2024, and projections for 2025.

January 7, 2025 - the transport politic

Close-up of yellow pedestrian crossing signal button with text "Push button for accessible signal" and diagram of person holding cane, indicating blindness.

Accessibility and Car-Free Zones

Some critics of car-free zones call them exclusionary to people with disabilities, but other experts argue that, when properly planned, pedestrian enhancements improve safety and accessibility for everyone.

January 6, 2025 - Mother Jones

Accessibility and Car-Free Zones

Some critics of car-free zones call them exclusionary to people with disabilities, but other experts argue that, when properly planned, pedestrian enhancements improve safety and accessibility for everyone.

January 6, 2025 - Mother Jones

Smithsonian museum in Washington, D.C. facade.

Advancing the National Asian Pacific American Museum

Supporters are mobilizing, fundraising, and facilitating the creation of a compelling Congressional report to secure authorization for a Smithsonian museum that represents and preserves the diverse histories and cultures of Asian Pacific Americans.

January 6, 2025 - Friends of the National Asian Pacific American Museum

Sprawl

Research: Sprawl Linked to Poverty

Low-income families living in high-sprawl neighborhoods are limited in their access to education, jobs, and other amenities, often trapping them in a cycle of poverty.

January 6, 2025 - Science Blog

Elevated viaduct in Seattle, Washington being demolished.

Highway Removal Slowed by Outdated Policy, Lack of Committed Funding

Resistance from state transportation departments and precarious funding sources mean highway removal projects are few and far between, despite their benefits.

January 6, 2025 - Next City

Red, white, and blue sandbags stacked along bridge railing and building doors and windows.

How US Communities Are Building Resilience Against Flooding

Flooding causes over $400 billion in damage in the United States every year.

January 5, 2025 - Governing

Brownsville, Tennessee town sign.

Appreciating Rural Cultural Resources

A focus on ‘placemaking’ too often obscures or exploits local culture and history.

January 5, 2025 - The Daily Yonder

Graphic illustrating street with various lanes designed in Streetmix.

Reimagining Your Street

How to use free online tools to redesign your local streetscape.

January 3, 2025 - Urbanism Speakeasy via Substack

Aerial view of Erie, Pennsylvania.

Opinion: Congress Should Expand the Opportunity Zone Program

The federal economic development program has brought over $100 billion in private investment to revitalize struggling communities.

January 3, 2025 - Governing

Oil well in Bakersfield, California.

Certified Carbon Credits for Orphan Well Remediation

The Well Done Foundation has launched 778,000 certified carbon credits to fund the plugging of orphaned oil and gas wells, reducing methane emissions while offering businesses and individuals a way to offset their carbon footprints.

January 2, 2025 - PR Newswire

Woman walking two small children across crosswalk.

How Urban Design Can Benefit Parents and Kids

Designing thoughtful, child-friendly public spaces can ease the burdens of modern parenting and offer safe spaces for children to learn self-reliance and resilience.

January 2, 2025 - Bloomberg CityLab

Large group of cyclists on city street.

Bike Resolutions for the New Year

A list of ways people can enhance their biking experience, appreciate the joy of cycling, and support safer bike infrastructure.

January 1, 2025 - Momentum Magazine

Pedestrians in a busy city intersection with a cirty bus passing behind them.

Save Lives on Our Roads Using the Safe System Approach

Prioritizing safety and committing to the SSA framework can make a big impact in the effort to reduce traffic fatalities.

January 1, 2025 - Beth Wemple

Conveyor belt in industrial recycling center with plastic materials.

Recycling’s Real Impact: Challenges, Misconceptions, and the Path Forward

Recycling offers modest environmental benefits but faces significant challenges in effectiveness and scalability, requiring systemic changes like reducing plastic production and exploring alternative waste reduction strategies.

December 31, 2024 - The Independent

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.