World

Global issues, U.N., etc.

Coronavirus and Transportation

Falling Transit Ridership 'Disastrous' for Greenhouse Gas Reductions

With ridership at record lows and agencies struggling to stay afloat, public transit around the world will need robust investment to recover after the pandemic.

April 8, 2021 - The New York Times

Public Engagement

The Six Principles of Community CoDesign

The methodology calls for authentic participation and a willingness to engage stakeholders in a "collaborative and empathic" placemaking process.

April 8, 2021 - Common Edge

California Shelter-in-Place

Predicting a Comeback for Cities

An argument for the long-term cultural and economic viability of the city, even after the pandemic.

April 4, 2021 - Vox

Pandemic Public Health

Pandemic Geography: What's Going on in Michigan?

Public health experts may speculate about whether the U.S. is headed for a fourth surge or moderate increase in cases, but the resurgence is well underway in Michigan where the virus was spreading the fastest. Only N.Y. has more daily infections.

April 4, 2021 - Bridge Michigan

COVID-19 Test

CDC Director Expresses a Feeling of 'Impending Doom'

Dr. Rochelle Walensky sounded the alarm during the White House COVID-19 Response Team's press briefing on Monday, warning Americans that the pandemic trajectory in the United States is the same as in Europe. The latter is experiencing a third wave.

March 30, 2021 - CIDRAP News

COVID-19

One Year Later, Public Transit Still in Crisis

Public transit cities around the world are operating well below pre-pandemic ridership levels, with many cutting service and no real clear idea about how and when a recovery will begin.

March 29, 2021 - The New York Times

Philadelphia Center City

A (Brief) Lesson in Planning For Psychologists

How can planners approach the emotions and psychology of urban stakeholders? Planning journalist Josh Stephens speaks with Psychology Today to give psychology professionals a glimpse into how planners think.

March 24, 2021 - Psychology Today

Bangkok, Thailand

The World's Highest Rates of Coronavirus Infections and Deaths

Brazil and the U.S. lead the world in daily COVID-19 cases and deaths. Western Europe is undergoing a third wave of infections, resulting in a new round of lockdowns, yet most of these nations are not among the 12 hotspots shown on a global tracker.

March 22, 2021 - Bloomberg News

Trees on Street

Research Shows Urban Trees Stave off Depression

A new study shows that regular exposure to trees and green spaces has a powerful impact on depression and mental health.

March 22, 2021 - The Guardian

Public Transit

Pandemic Watch: What's Going on in Europe?

A coronavirus resurgence is spreading across much of Europe, forcing Italy into a new lockdown a year after it became the first Western country to resort to the drastic measure. The coronavirus has returned in the form of more transmissible variants.

March 18, 2021 - The New York Times

Sao Paulo, Brazil, Marilia

The World's Worst COVID Outbreak

Brazil has surpassed the U.S. and led the world in the daily average of COVID-19 deaths and coronavirus infections during the last week. Experts point to a coronavirus variant and the lack of a federal strategy, leaving states without assistance.

March 16, 2021 - The Wall Street Journal

U.S. Environmental Protection Agency

Industry Wins a Round Over Building Efficiency Requirements

New regulations prohibit cities from enacting stricter efficiency standards in new buildings.

March 11, 2021 - Huffington Post

Wind farm and greenhouse gas farm, together

Can Emissions Reductions Last Beyond the Pandemic?

The dramatic reductions in carbon emissions during the last year only highlight how drastically humans must change behavior to meet climate goals.

March 10, 2021 - Los Angeles Times

Norway Biker

Planning Communities for Children and Families

Child in the City asks “If you could see the city from an elevation of 95 cm, what would you do differently?” It provides a toolbox of specific policies and planning practices for creating more child-friendly communities.

March 9, 2021 - Child in the City: Planning Communities for Children & their Families

Mt. Hood and Traffic

Carbon Emissions Back on the Rise—Along With Cleaner Energy

Climate-friendly government policies and recent investments by energy companies are accelerating the growth of renewables.

March 9, 2021 - Bloomberg

Coronavirus Protest

Pandemic Watch: We've Been Here Before (but at Lower Case Levels)

The White House COVID-19 Response Team explains why governors are wrong to lift mask mandates and ease restrictions by putting the current level of coronavirus infections in the country in perspective, i.e., comparing it to the two prior surges.

March 8, 2021 - The White House

Urban Symmetry

The Surprisingly Important Role of Symmetry in Healthy Places

New research suggests there might be a "symmetry deficit disorder" in today's built environments, with significant impacts on health, well-being, and even sustainability.

March 8, 2021 - Michael Mehaffy

Congestion

Reversing Car Dependency

A new report examines how governments can encourage citizens to use alternatives to private cars in order to reduce car dependency.

March 1, 2021 - International Transport Forum

China

10,000 Cities—and Counting

A novel approach to quantifying the world's urban population provides insight into a changing world.

February 28, 2021 - Next City

Plane and Train

Noise Pollution Harms the Heart, Too

New research shows that excessive noise levels have significant negative impacts on heart health.

February 28, 2021 - The Atlantic

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.