World

Global issues, U.N., etc.

New Techniques for Preventing Levee Breaches

Breached levees are a major concern for riverside cities; New Orleans struggled with their disastrous results after Hurricane Katrina. While shoring and sandbagging have been relied upon in the past, new methods for stopping breaches are emerging.

December 31, 2009 - The Economist

Sub-Urban Planning

Triple Canopy translates a Chinese interview with Shu Yu, one of the world's foremost underground urban planners. He talks about the potential of underground space for urban habitation.

December 30, 2009 - Triple Canopy

Urban Data: The Second City

Looking at the city of Chicago and how it should approach the future, John Tolva writes about the potential for tapping into city data and embracing the "second city" it creates.

December 30, 2009 - IBM's Smarter Planet blog

Biggest Infrastructure News of the Decade - Part Two

The Infrastructurist finishes its list of the top infrastructure stories from the past decade.

December 30, 2009 - The Infrastructurist

Biggest Infrastructure News of the Decade

In the first of two installments, The Infrastructurist counts down the top ten infrastructure stories from the past decade.

December 29, 2009 - The Infrastructurist

Disconnected from Society? Gated Communities: Their Lifestyle versus Urban Governance

Peer Smets (VU University Amsterdam) investigates the socio-cultural impacts of specific patterns of urban segregation (gated communities) on local urban politics and urban governance.

December 28, 2009 - The Urban Reinventors Online Urban Journal

Doubt in Architecture

Architect Steven Holl's new book is a retrospective of his 30-year career, and an overview of his argument that architecture needs an element of doubt.

December 27, 2009 - re:place Magazine

Look into the Crystal Ball

Next American City asked prominent urban thinkers for their opinions on what 2010 will hold for the world. Here are their responses.

December 26, 2009 - Next American City

2009 in Trains, Planes, Boats, Bikes, and More

Treehugger has a look at the best and worst transportation technology of 2009, from solar planes to bike highways.

December 26, 2009 - Treehugger

Could Trolley Canal Boats Make a Comeback?

Low-tech Magazine details the history of the trolley canal boat, a staple of the past for transporting goods down canals and waterways. Could something like this make a comeback?

December 25, 2009 - Low-tech Magazine

The Coming Transition to Electric Cars

A new report from PikeResearch predicts the future for electric vehicles in 2010, including the prediction that hybrids will dominate the market.

December 24, 2009 - Renewable Energy World

Malcolm Wells, R.I.P.

Malcolm Wells was a pioneer of sustainable design, with an emphasis on green roofs and underground buildings. He died recently at the age of 83.

December 24, 2009 - Design Boom

Cultural Competency: A Critical Skill Set For The 21st Century Planner

Understanding the needs of ethnic minorities is critical for contemporary working planners, says Leonardo Vasquez, AICP/PP.

December 21, 2009 - Leonardo Vazquez, AICP/PP

Architecture's Rise in Visibility, But Not in Power

Los Angeles Times architecture critic Christopher Hawthorne looks back at the past ten years of architecture and sees a growth in the field's importance in the U.S., though not in its power.

December 20, 2009 - Los Angeles Times

Animating Architecture

With computer animation becoming ubiquitous, the usual flythrough no longer makes an impression. Nate Berg looks at the leading edge of architectural animation.

December 19, 2009 - The Architect's Newspaper

Digital Surfaces Pose Opportunities and Challenges

Through advancements in technology, digital facades are becoming significantly easier to implement on a wide variety of architectural projects. Programmable surfaces maybe a big part of the future of buildings.

December 19, 2009 - Architectural Record

The Last Ten Years in Architecture

Treehugger's Lloyd Alter takes a look back at the last ten years of architecture and finds some progressive trends and positive signs for the future.

December 18, 2009 - Treehugger

Five Advances in City Networks Coming Soon

Adam Christensen of IBM's Smarter Planet blog predicts five ways that cities are going to become smarter by networking their environment.

December 18, 2009 - IBM's Smarter Planet blog

Filling in the City

As climate talks start and stop in Copenhagen, Anthony Flint argues for local action by affecting the built environment. He calls for more infill redevelopment, saying "we need more city".

December 18, 2009 - The Boston Globe

'Urban Planning is Dead in the U.S.,' Says Gehry

In this interview, Frank Gehry defends his record and balks at being called a "starchitect."

December 17, 2009 - The Independent (UK)

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.