World

Global issues, U.N., etc.

The World in Drought

Population centers the world around are caught in the grips of devastating droughts. Though temporary conditions, their increasing frequency should be a call to water-saving action, writes Tom Englehardt.

March 2, 2009 - Mother Jones

Slum Tourism Debated

This piece ponders whether slum tourism in places like Dharavi and the favelas of Brazil is a valid form of cultural exchange or merely voyeuristic exploitation?

February 28, 2009 - National Geographic Traveler

It Started, and Should End, with Real Estate

If the government bails out banks, it also better put aside money for structural reform that ensures the proper valuation of property. According to Elena Panaritis, a housing market driven by speculation catalyzed the recession in the first place.

February 25, 2009 - Guardian

Global Warming Prompts "Ecomigrations"

As climate change takes the form of higher sea levels and environmental disasters, millions of "ecomigrants" across the world have been on the move to find more environmentally habitable places.

February 24, 2009 - The Washington Post

Top 8 Public Space Design Books

Managing Editor Tim Halbur selects his favorite books for designing and planning public spaces.

February 23, 2009 - Tim Halbur

Stitching the Home of the Future

An architecture student's entry in a design contest sponsored by BMW proposes a new form of living space, utilizing new synthetic skins to build flexible living areas.

February 23, 2009 - The Boston Globe

Visualizing The World's Public Transit

This info-graphic from Good compares subways an rapid transit rail systems from around the world, by track miles and ridership.

February 23, 2009 - Good

Water: Think Globally, Act Locally

The world is facing a water crisis, and existing development and management practices are only making it worse. This interview with water expert Peter Gleick looks at what's being done wrong and how it can be done right.

February 22, 2009 - The Nation

Park Walks Shown to Boost Memory and Attention

A new study shows that walks in the park are more beneficial than those on city streets, in terms of memory and attention. The natural scenery requires less direct attention, so it's sharper when needed next.

February 18, 2009 - The McGill Tribune

Hansen Asks England to Shut Down its Coal Plants

NASA's James Hansen takes his global warming message to England, telling them in no uncertain terms that they must stop their reliance on coal-derived electricity. He dismisses 'clean coal' and even 'carbon caps' if coal plants continue to operate.

February 18, 2009 - The Observer

Energy Revolution Needed To Solve Climate Change

Nobel laureate and new Energy Secretary Dr. Steven Chu is interviewed on what it will take to solve the climate change crisis - three major technological improvements plus carbon pricing. While no fan of coal, he acknowledges improvements are needed.

February 16, 2009 - The New York Times

Cellulosic Ethanol a Reality

Cellulosic ethanol - biofuel produced from non-edible plant material - has been 'five years out' for a long time. Obstacles remain to mass production, but a handful of producers are up and running.

February 16, 2009 - The Christian Science Monitor

Reborn From the Crisis

In this thorough piece from The Atlantic, Richard Florida looks at the economic crisis facing the world, how it's affecting cities and regions, and how it will have a lasting effect on the U.S. -- in both good and bad ways.

February 13, 2009 - The Atlantic

What will the World be Like with Two Billion Cars?

Daniel Sperling, author of "Two Billion Cars: Driving Toward Sustainability" talks to Jon Stewart about the future of plug-in hybrid, fuel cell and electric vehicles.

February 13, 2009 - The Daily Show

Saudi Oil Minister Warns Against Moving Quickly to Alternative Energies

In a speech in Houston on Tuesday, Saudi Arabia Oil Minister Ali al-Naimi expressed concern that too much emphasis on alternative energies would mean lack of funding for oil investments.

February 12, 2009 - International Business Times

With Higher Densities Come Smaller Footprints

This article's author reports his and economist Matthew Kahn's recent findings on metropolitan areas and carbon emissions. As it turns out, living in a high density area is one of the best things one can do for the environment.

February 12, 2009 - The DC Examiner

Unused Open Spaces

Korean photographer Hosang Park's recent series exposes tiny, unknown 'parks' that are attached to housing developments around the world.

February 10, 2009 - BLDBLOG

How Much Space Do You Need?

Charles Platt uses CIA Factbook data on populations to create a visual representation of how much land there is per person in different nations.

February 9, 2009 - BoingBoing

Randal O'Toole asks, Dude, Where's My Driverless Car?

For decades, people have been talking about how driverless cars would make highway traffic a thing of the past. Randal O'Toole asks, where are they?

February 9, 2009 - The Antiplanner

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.