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.
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.
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."
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.
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."
Questioning Extravagent Architecture
Alissa Walker poses numerous questions about design, including that of buildings, and how it should reflect on the current economy.
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?
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.
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.
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).
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.
Portion Control for the Road
In this blog post, Tom Vanderbilt connects the dots between road size ("portions") and driving behavior ("consumption").
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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."
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.
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
