World

Global issues, U.N., etc.

Rybczynski: People, not Architects, Make Icons

According to architect critic Witold Rybczynski, most iconic architecture never intended to be, and it should stay that way.

April 30, 2009 - Finance And Commerce

3 Out Of 10 'Best Cities in the World' Are Swiss

The 2009 Mercer Quality of Living Survey is dominated by Swiss, German and Austrian cities, while Vancouver hangs on to fourth place, the only city in the Americas to crack the top 10.

April 28, 2009 - Citymayors.com

Architects and Planners Collaborate in Second Life

Linden Labs, creator of Second Life, has awarded a Linden Prize to Studio Wikitecture for their WikiTree project. The online collaboration uses the virtual world "to harness a groups collective intelligence in designing architecture."

April 28, 2009 - Linden Lab

Dreaming the Green Home of Tomorrow

The Wall Street Journal asked four architects (including William MacDonough and Steve Mouzon) to design an energy-efficient, sustainable house of the future. The results are in, and couldn't be more different.

April 27, 2009 - The Wall St. Journal

Decentralizing, 'Resolarizing' Our Food Systems

Wartime urban gardening and the Obama's White House vegetable garden should be our inspiration in our efforts to wean our food systems off of industrial-scale agriculture, writes Michael Pollan, author of "In Defense of Food."

April 27, 2009 - OnEarth

Questioning Extravagent Architecture

Alissa Walker poses numerous questions about design, including that of buildings, and how it should reflect on the current economy.

April 24, 2009 - Fast Company

Hot Trend in Architecture: The Appearance of Instability

Witold Rybczynski takes a look at the new tendency toward buildings that look collapsible, rather than the solid-looking buildings of the past. Is this trend a symptom of our shaky times?

April 23, 2009 - Slate

Can a "Dr. Evil" Approach Solve Global Warming?

Scientists are taking seriously proposals to artificially and massively change the Earth's ecosystems -- to "geoengineer" the planet -- to put the brakes on climate change.

April 23, 2009 - Macleans

Amenities Key to Walking, Fitness

People who live within walking distance of amenities like stores, transit stops, and parks are twice as likely to be fit as those who don't, according to a new study conducted by researchers at San Diego State University.

April 20, 2009 - Gant Daily

Pedestrian Airbags

Researchers in Europe are seeking ways to keep pedestrians safe in traffic accidents. One idea is an airbag that shoots out from under a raised 'bonnet' (the hood, in the States).

April 19, 2009 - NewScientist

Top Ten Sustainable Architecture Projects

The American Institute of Architects' Committee on the Enviroment has named its selections for the best examples of last year of sustainable architecture and green design.

April 17, 2009 - ArchiCentral

Portion Control for the Road

In this blog post, Tom Vanderbilt connects the dots between road size ("portions") and driving behavior ("consumption").

April 17, 2009 - How We Drive

City Critique in Manhattan

This post features highlights from "Urbanisms Inc.," a forum on urban theory in New York City that took place on March 30.

April 15, 2009 - The New York Times City Room Blog

Place May Be Major Factor In Cancer Rates

Reports have long linked higher cancer rates to different racial groups, but a new study suggests that location may play a more significant role in the prevalence of the disease.

April 14, 2009 - American Cancer Society

Zoning the Oceans

Researchers at Duke University are advising Congress to develop zoning rules for the oceans that will guide where offshore energy generation can and should occur.

April 14, 2009 - The New York Times

Australia a Model of Changing Climate

With years of drought, recent deadly fires, outbreaks of pests and a multitude of other problems, Australia is becoming the poster child for what effects global climate change will have.

April 10, 2009 - Los Angeles Times

Tall Towers Break Records, in Height and Numbers

The number and average heights of skyscrapers erected in 2008 are the highest ever thanks to a “lag effect” in the market and a shift toward sustainability.

April 10, 2009 - Architectural Record

A Whole New World

Sara Robinson of the Campaign for America's Future outlines in the first of a series of articles why we simply won't be able to "return to normal."

April 8, 2009 - Campaign for America's Future

Fighting Climate Change with White Paint

Painting roofs white could have a major impact on global carbon emissions, according to three scientists. But what may seem like a wacky idea has years of data to back it up.

April 8, 2009 - Miller-McCune

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.