United States

Electrical Utilities A Major Source Of Greenhouse Gasses

A new report from the Natural Resources Defense Council reveals that electrical utilities are a significant source of greenhouse gas emissions in the United States, and that the majority of this pollution is concentrated among a small group of producers.

April 12, 2006 - Natural Resources Defense Council

Community Gardens And Property Values

Community gardens add value to neighboring properties in New York City, especially in disadvantaged neighborhoods, according to this NYU Law School publication.

April 12, 2006 - New York University School of Law , NYU Center for Law and Economics

Lies My Transit Lobbyist Told Me

Randal O'Toole critically evaluates a recent press release from the American Public Transportation Association suggesting that recent transit data indicate public transportation use increased 25.1 percent in the last decade.

April 11, 2006 - The Thoreau Institute

Will Rising Gas Prices Change Our Behavior?

Anecdotally, the stories are endless -- gas prices are approaching $3 in most of the country (or beyond, in California). Drivers indicate they are trip-linking, carpooling, even taking public transit on occasion, yet demand doesn't subside.

April 11, 2006 - The New York Times

The Wal-Marts Of The Housing Market

With litigation costs escalating due to increasingly stringent zoning regulations, many family-owned development firms are forced out of the market by bigger firms that can afford to pay attorney's fees.

April 10, 2006 - The Philadelphia Inquirer

Suburban Streets 'Deadly' To Pedestrians In Immigrant Neighborhoods

As immigrants without cars settle in suburban neighborhoods, simply crossing the street to buy groceries is becoming a life-and-death activity.

April 10, 2006 - USA Today

Is EPA Overstating Pollution Risks?

New York and California have the most toxic air in the nation, according to a new EPA report . But what does this really tell us, asks critic Joel Schwartz.

April 9, 2006 - Tech Central Station

Reserve Your Parking Space In Advance

Several new companies are using technology to provide drivers a new way to avoid spending time circling the block looking for a parking space.

April 8, 2006 - The Wall Street Journal

Housing Is Back In Architecture, Thanks To Katrina And CNU

Blair Kamin muses about the aftermath of Katrina planning and the legacy of modernism.

April 8, 2006 - Metropolis

When the Bubble Bursts: 'Welcome to Housing Hell'

High levels of consumer debt, minimal equity and higher interest rates will soon bring an end to the "housing heaven" to which consumers have become accustomed.

April 8, 2006 - MoneyWeek

New Study Cracks 'Broken Windows'

A new study with evidence from New York City -- plus a "five-city social experiment" -- claims that there is no evidence to support the popular anti-crime theory.

April 7, 2006 - University of Chicago Chronicle

Cities Vulnerable To Oil Shocks

SustainLane's recently released rankings of the largest 50 U.S. cities by preparedness for rises in oil prices leaves some cities, from Colorado Springs to Kansas City, room for improvement.

April 7, 2006 - Colorado Springs Gazette

Picking Up The Pieces: Organizing After Katrina

Displaced and overwhelmed, three major organizing networks provided immediate aid to Hurricane Katrina evacuees, and began working for long-term, equitable recovery. Will they be able to rise to the human and political challenges?

April 7, 2006 - Shelterforce Magazine

Five Ways To Fight McMansions

MSN Real Estate publishes a special on McMansionization, detailing the backlash, a new "less is more" movement, and ways to fight the trend.

April 7, 2006 - MSN Real Estate

Perform Building Inspections From Your Desk

While Pictometry's new mapping technology is being used for public safety, it's also being used by building officials who don't have to leave the office to see who's building without a permit.

April 6, 2006 - Wired Magazine

Wal-Mart Enters Cities

A new company initiative calls for over 50 new stores in blighted urban areas, with the promise of help for local businesses and chambers of commerce.

April 6, 2006 - The Washington Post

Can Community Networks Save Lives?

In the event of a flu pandemic, the federal government will be largely unavailable to cities across the country. Municipalities should prepare for a long disruption, relying on schools, churches and other social networks to develop response plans.

April 6, 2006 - The Sacramento Bee

17 Projects Win New Urbanism Awards

Congress for the New Urbanism honors 17 diverse projects in affordable housing, transit-oriented development, high-density infill plans, wilderness preservation, and freeway-taming strategies, with the 2006 Charter Awards.

April 5, 2006 - Abhijeet Chavan

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.