World
Global issues, U.N., etc.
Urbanization Continuing Rapidly Across The Globe
With world's urbanized population now at 50 percent, urban living seems set to be the global norm -- though its unclear if many cities can cope with the challenge.
Urban Planning and the Informal Sector in Developing Countries
Rather than seeking to eliminate the presence of the informal sector, urban planning should seek to accommodate this important component of urban economies.
Halting Global Warming On The Cheap?
The Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change (IPCC) latest report focuses on relatively low cost strategies to reduce the emissions of global warming gases -- at least when compared to cost of inaction.
Urge To Preserve Holds Back Train Stations
This piece from the International Herald Tribune discusses how the desire to preserve historic train stations is holding them back from being more valuable to commuters by catering to their needs and desires.
Which Cities Have The Fastest Walkers?
Researchers have conducted observations in 32 world cities to determine where people walk the fastest. They've found that the world's fastest walkers are in Singapore. To the surprise of many, New York City's walkers are only the eighth-fastest.
Walling The World
From fears over immigration to the pursuit of control over territory, countries and cities around the world are increasingly turning to the oldest form of defense: the wall.
Urban Noise Causes Birds To Sing At Night
High daytime noise levels in urban areas have caused birds to sing at night to avoid the competition. This goes against the previous thought that streetlights were confusing birds into thinking it was day.
Growing Children In The City
Children are integral to the urban environment, yet we have shrunk the places where they can play, grow and thrive. Creating natural environments where children are free to imagine and play without instruction and structure is critical to our future.
Landscape Architecture Student Profiles
In honor of Landscape Architecture Month, Planetizen profiles four students who are studying this influential discipline.
Why Environmentalism Is Dead
Hal Clifford believes that climate change makes other environmental causes insignificant.
Virtual World's Top 'Real Estate' Developers
Several of Second Life's most successful entrepreneurs making real money in a virtual world are "real estate" developers.
World's Longest Tunnel Planned
Russia plans to build an undersea tunnel across the Bering Strait to Alaska.
The Ethanol Hoax: How The U.S. Is Losing Its Edge
In transportation, energy, and green technology the U.S. is falling behind, writes Nicholas Von Hoffman.
Five Essential Characteristics Of A 'Humane Metropolis'
How can the modern metropolis be a magnet for entrepreneurship and creativity?
Golf Course Development Goes International
Golf courses are becoming increasingly popular among developers, especially outside of the United States. The vast majority are being built as housing projects, consuming hundreds of acres of land, causing an increased strain on water resources.
Food or Fuel?
The growth in biofuels is putting new pressures on the global food supply chain.
Agriculture Goes Vertical And Green
With visions of a reforested America in which food is grown locally year round, vertical farms aim to address many of the problems facing mankind, including global warming, runoff, desertification, water pollution, and rapid urbanization.
Catastrophic Drought 50 Years Away For Southwest
Using sophisticated climate models, scientists are predicting a 15 percent loss of surface moisture by 2050. They suspect, but cannot conclude, that global warming is to blame.
Planning And TOD To The Rescue
This column from The San Francisco Examiner describes how "urban planning can save the world", and identifies transit-oriented development as a major solution to global warming.
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
