World

Global issues, U.N., etc.

An Architectural Yelp?

A new website intends to be both a crowdsourced wiki of information on buildings and an open forum for architectural criticism.

August 15, 2010 - Metropolis Magazine

Synchronized Driving

University of Missouri-Kansas City researchers are making headway on "self-synchronizing moving objects" -- that is, getting cars to communicate with each other on highways so they can travel at faster speeds without accidents.

August 14, 2010 - The Kansas City Star

18 Unusual Examples of Landscape Architecture

Popular Mechanics features a slideshow of fantastic examples of landscape architecture, from Scotland's Garden of Cosmic Speculation to the Growth Chamber on the International Space Station.

August 13, 2010 - Popular Mechanics

PBSJ In Agreement to Be Aquired By London Company

Major engineering firm PBSJ is in talks with Atkins to be acquired by the London-based firm. PBSJ, which is employee-owned, reportedly sought out the sale to bring in more capital for expansion.

August 11, 2010 - TOLLROADSnews

When Life Gives You Opium, Make Biofuel

A U.S. ambassador is proposing a novel approach to helping Afghanistan -- since opium crops are rampant, why not find a way to turn poppies into biofuel?

August 11, 2010 - ASLA's The Dirt blog

More Cyclists Means Safer Streets

Studies show that traffic-calming measures and bike lanes increase the number of cyclists on the street and decrease the risk of collisions.

August 11, 2010 - Montreal Gazette

Most Successful Urban Planning - Ever?

Public Servant Blog dares to compile a completely subjective list of the Top 20 Urban Planning Successes of All Time, with selections ranging from the obvious (Amsterdam) to the less so (Marimont, Ohio). See if you agree.

August 10, 2010 - Public Servant Blog

A City on the Pacific Garbage Patch?

Dutch conservationists are proposing to create a floating community built on top of the patch of garbage swirling out in the middle of the Pacific Ocean.

August 10, 2010 - Guardian

The Past and Future of Urban Agriculture

Urban agriculture is not a new idea. Grist's Tom Philpott says the renewed interest in the idea should look for good ideas from its past.

August 10, 2010 - Grist

Kazakhstan Utopia Debuts

Japanese architect Kisho Kurokawa designed a utopian vision interweaving the city and nature. Three years after his death, his vision is complete. Rowan More of the Observer pays Astana, the new capital, a visit.

August 9, 2010 - The Guardian U.K.

Supermodel Sirens on "Sanctuary" Island

Is there an ideal model for a city's circulation, a "supermodel"? Fanis Grammenos reviews a new paper that proposes the use of organic forms first recognized by Christopher Alexander.

August 9, 2010 - Fanis Grammenos

The Future Needs of Cities

One of the problems with investing in large infrastructure, and transportation in particular, is that it's difficult to predict the needs of future cities, says Mathias Crawford. If we're all telecommuting, will we need buses?

August 7, 2010 - GOOD Magazine

Could Meetings on The Subway Become As Common As Graffiti?

The current norm of commuting, which happens all at once and too often by car, is placing too much stress on our infrastructure, our resources and even our emotional health. Melissa Lafsky reports how the structure of our workdays could be changed.

August 7, 2010 - Infrastructurist

Artificial Trees Could Be Climate Key

Carbon dioxide is one of the most widespread greenhouse gases produced by humans. Trees can absorb it, but release it when they die. Scientists are looking to build artificial trees to do the job permanently.

August 5, 2010 - National Geographic

Traffic Tightens in Moscow

Traffic has become thick and widespread throughout Moscow, where long lines of cars harken back to the dying days of the Soviet era.

August 5, 2010 - The New Yorker

Urban Farming Rising

Urban agriculture is becoming a well-known idea all around the world. Most of it is done at the small-scale, but there's still the idea of creating large skyscraper farms to feed our cities. Smithsonian takes a look at the idea.

August 4, 2010 - Smithsonian

Designing Urban Areas to Hear the Sounds of the City

Cities make more sounds than just cars driving by or factories humming. Trevor Cox says we should embrace the subtle sounds of cities, and update our urban design to make sure we can.

August 3, 2010 - New Scientist

Two Conflicting Population Issues Affecting The World

A population research group reports on two simultaneously occurring population trends in the world affecting developed and less developed nations: Working age adults have dropped precipitously, while poorer nations grow too fast.

August 2, 2010 - The New York Times - World

Solar Power Gains Cost Advantage Over Nuclear

Diana Powers reports that the cost of solar photovoltaic panels has declined "to the point where they are lower than the rising projected costs of new nuclear plants, according to a paper published this month."

July 30, 2010 - New York Times

The Double O's Were the Hottest Years on Record

A National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration Report published on Wednesday found that the last decade has been the hottest on record, and clearly points to the conclusion that our planet is warming.

July 30, 2010 - The New York Times

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.