World
Global issues, U.N., etc.
In Defense of Modernist Architecture
Owen Hatherley presents his case for a revival of modernism, particularly in its original intent as a social reform movement, in his new book, Militant Modernism.
Smart Meters Will Save The World
Columnist Stephen Cunningham of the BBC believes that technology like smart meters in homes will provide the necessary reduction in CO2 to reduce global warming.
Does Architecture Make People Happy?
Building Happiness, a new collection of writings on architecture, concludes that the connect between beauty and happiness is unfounded.
Clinton Promoting 'Climate-Positive' Communities
Last week in Seoul, Bill Clinton announced a new collaboration between the Clinton Climate Initiative and the U.S. Green Building Council to go beyond the single LEED building and create new green development models for whole communities.
New Frontier for Development: The Ocean
The Seasteading Institute, a group that advocates creating sovereign nations in international waters, announces the winner of their seastead design contest.
Global Challenges Require "Smarter Cities"
Chief Executive Officer of IBM Samuel Palmisano believes that "smarter cities" are key to a sustainable future, and so are the focus of three upcoming summits hosted by IBM.
Bus Stop of the Future
MIT's SENSEable City Lab is featuring a prototype of a futuristic bus stop, complete with real-time route mapping, e-ink surfaces, and estimates of your exposure to pollutants along the way.
Comparing Manhattan and a Mouse, Mathematically
Cities conform to mathematical principles more closely than many people realize, in terms of density, relative population, and economies of scale.
Undergound Eyes Watch Water Use at Golf Courses
Underground water sensors that monitor and display moisture and soil conditions on computers are saving millions of gallons of water at golf courses.
Vertical Farming Innovator Discusses the Future of Food
Miller-McCune talks with vertical farming innovator Dickson Despommier about why his idea is the future of food for cities and how it can go from blueprint to reality.
Combining Infrastructures
A team of French designers are the winners of Metropolis’s 2009 Next Generation competition with their design for a combined electrical-transmission tower and landfill.
Peak Water: Tapping Out the Ogallala Aquifer
This piece from Scientific American looks at the jurisdictional challenge of conserving water in the cross-state Ogallala Aquifer, one of the world's largest sources of freshwater and the backbone of the nation's farm economy.
Why Are Cities Growing?
With globalization meaning goods can be shipped cheaply anywhere, and the internet means you can work anywhere, why are cities growing like crazy? Prof. Edward L. Glaeser of Harvard says that proximity breeds innovation.
White Roofs Can Be Wrong Roofs
White roofs have gained cachet as a solution to the urban heat island effect. But in places where there are more cold days than hot, a white roof that reflects warming sunlight might not make the best sense, according to this piece.
Finding the Hidden Logic of a Place
Metropolis Magazine interviews David Gibson about his new book, The Wayfinding Handbook: Information Design for Public Places.
Disaster Risk Tied to Urban Growth
Two reports have linked patterns of urban development to disaster risk. As urban populations grow, these studies suggest developing countries will become even more vulnerable.
Cheap Homes, Meet New Immigrants
Adam Matthews of GOOD Magazine looks at the $500 homes in places like Buffalo and sees opportunity for new immigrants, which in turn could help turn these places around.
Can Sports Save Ailing Cities?
With activities ranging from organized running to the Homeless World Cup, sports are helping to improve the lives of people on the ropes, bringing increased motivation and community-building.
Smart Growth: Claustrophobic, Unsafe, and Bad for Gas Mileage
Rick Harrison argues that smart growth looks good on paper, but in application the density creates a whole host of problems.
Climate Change Global Health Threat: Report
A new study warns that climate change could bring widespread harmful health threats to millions, and that plans for adapting human settlements to climate change need to address social inequities.
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
