United States
Top Five Road Rage Cities
Often thought to be more relaxed, sunshine state cities make three of top five for road rage.
A West Coast Voice Bids Farewell To Jane Jacobs
Jane Jacobs wrote little about Los Angeles, a city that might make her shudder, but she is still fondly remembered there. Sam Hall Kaplan presents his personal account of one of the 20th century's greatest urbanists.
Is Ethanol Really A Green Fuel?
Pete Letheby laments the path that ethanol production has taken in the U.S., arguing that it does not hold the promise of being the "green fuel" it was once thought to be.
Does Wal-Mart Increase Poverty Rates?
A new study claims that Wal-Mart raises poverty rates in the counties where its stores are located.
The Urban Renaissance Does Not Exist
Joel Kotkin reviews a variety of data showing that despite optimism by "urban boosters", America's central cities are not experiencing a rebirth. The real renaissance, says Kotkin, is in the suburbs.
Cataloguing The Catalog Homes
Preservationists, historians, and amateur urban sleuths are scouring U.S. neighborhoods to identify and protect as many of the 70,000 to 100,000 "kit" homes made by Sears, Roebuck and Company as possible.
How High Gas Prices Will Affect Suburbia
Irvine Senior Fellow Joel Kotkin theorizes on the changes that higher energy costs will make to suburban development -- including more telecommuting, more job diversity and cultural attractions, but it will not halt the outmigration from cities.
Wal-Mart Begins Remaking Its Image
Wal-Mart supports a pro-Wal-Mart advocacy group, Working Families for Wal-Mart, which trys to improve Wal-Mart's image. The members may also speak in favor of Wal-Mart at hearings.
New Study Chronicles Increasing Interest In Moving To Cities
A study using income as an indicator finds cities still a draw for "singles, young professionals, empty nesters and baby boomers".
Bi-Partisan Gasoline Tax Cutting Spreads Throughout U.S.
Eager to provide relief to hurting motorists, state legislators and governors do what they can to roll back price increases, despite being told the reductions may not be seen at the pump.
Friday Funny: 'SurvivaBall' -- Gated Community of One
In another elaborate hoax, "The Yes Men" impersonators pose as representatives of Halliburton at a conference and present a device to "solve global warming." Attendees fail to catch on and ask serious questions.
Transit Benefit Analysis: Washington DC Case Study
Using a regional transport model, researchers find that rail generates congestion-reduction benefits that exceed rail subsidies.
Preserving The Very Recent Past
The National Trust for Historic Preservation has included a staircase, rendered historically significant by its affiliation with September 11, on its annual list of the 11 most endangered historic places.
How Much Should You Earn? Planner's Median Salary: $64,000
The "median" planner is 42 years old, has been in the field for 13 years, specializes in community development and redevelopment, and earns $64,000. States with highest salaries are D.C., California and New Jersey.
Gas Prices, Health Benefits Boost Allure Of Bicycle Commuting
While so far only a "white-collar movement," the growing trend of biking to work is leading many cities to provide new amenities to bike commuters, and the federal government to propose employer tax breaks for each employee cycling to work.
Competing Strategies To Reduce Oil Consumption
Since 1975, environmentalists and their allies have fought to raise fuel efficiency standards in new vehicles. On Tuesday, another attempt was made. Meanwhile, an academic think tank testifies for an alternative approach, albeit an unpopular one.
The $10 Gallon Of Gas Plan
How a $10 gallon of gas would revolutionize life in America.
The New US Demographics: Latinos, Asians and Africans
Latino population growth accounted for nearly half of the nation's population increase last year, according to U.S. Census Bureau data released today. But growth is is led by births, not immigration.
Jane Jacobs: Right Questions, Wrong Neighborhoods
Jane Jacobs brilliantly dissected the destruction of "inner areas" of "great cities," but she passed over the city districts that needed attention the most: less dense working and middle class neighborhoods, the ones that emptied out for the suburbs.
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.
EMC Planning Group, Inc.
Planetizen
Planetizen
Mpact (formerly Rail~Volution)
Great Falls Development Authority, Inc.
HUDs Office of Policy Development and Research
NYU Wagner Graduate School of Public Service
