World

Global issues, U.N., etc.

No Self-Driving Cars Without Hyper-Local Maps

While the fame and the glory might go to the first companies that bring self-driving cars to the market, the companies that provide the detailed, constantly changing maps will make a lot of money.

July 20, 2017 - PC Magazine

Here Today, Gone Tomorrow, Here the Day After That

Have NIMBYs and YIMBYs arguing in your neighborhood? Scott Doyon talks residential development.

July 20, 2017 - PlaceShakers

Sunset Plaza

The Secrets of 'Place Making' Success

Some well-meaning urbanists try a place-making-in-a-box approach. Their efforts would resonate more if they took the neighborhood’s history and culture into account.

July 18, 2017 - Streetsblog LA

Transportation Network Company

Uber Hoping to Mend Relationship with Drivers by Offering Equity, Tips

Uber drivers may be offered equity in the company if a company plan goes through.

July 18, 2017 - Business Insider

Urban Forests

Comparing the World's Urban Tree Canopies

Seattle provides plenty of shade for residents to enjoy in the summer months.

July 17, 2017 - The Stranger

Toll Roads

Defending Road Pricing from Public Opinion

Access Magazine takes a deep dive into congestion management, explaining the reasoning behind a publicly unpopular strategy: road pricing.

July 17, 2017 - Access Magazine

Tesla

The Era of the Electric Vehicle is Approaching

A new report from Bloomberg New Energy Finance predicts that due to a plunge in battery prices and improvement in battery technology, electric vehicles will be cost-competitive with gasoline vehicles in eight years. By 2040, they will outsell them.

July 17, 2017 - Bloomberg BusinessWeek

Report Predicts the End of Individual Car Ownership

The first report from independent think tank RethinkXL predicts that by 2031, 95 percent of U.S. passenger miles traveled will be served by on-demand, autonomous electric vehicles owned by companies providing transport as a service.

July 14, 2017 - San Francisco Chronicle

Artificial Intelligence Unlocks the Secrets of Neighborhood Change

Researchers at MIT and Harvard believe that their computer vision system (i.e., artificial intelligence) helps reveal fundamental characteristics of neighborhood change.

July 14, 2017 - MIT News

Google Self-Driving Car smaller

The High-Stakes Race to Deliver the First Car that Drives Itself

A new report provides a stark reminder of the stakes for businesses (setting aside the public right of way of other public interests) in the race to be the first to go self-driving.

July 13, 2017 - Bloomberg

Oil

Interior Secretary Issues Order to Expedite Drilling on Public Lands

Secretary Zinke's order is part of the "energy dominance" agenda of the Trump Administration to make the U.S. a major energy exporter. The order will reduce the time needed by the Bureau of Land Management to process permitting for new wells.

July 10, 2017 - The Washington Post

Volvo Makes History in Embrace of Electric Vehicle Technology

In a major announcement that could shake-up the auto industry, Volvo Cars declared it will initiate a gradual divorce from autos solely powered by internal combustion in two years. The Chinese-owned company wants to reduce its environmental impact.

July 6, 2017 - The New York Times

Protest Crowd

L.A. Metro CEO Challenges Trump on Infrastructure Funding

President Trump’s most recent transportation budget is projected to cut transportation spending by 13 percent, potentially undercutting many of Los Angeles' ambitious projects to continue the build-out of a full public transportation system.

July 3, 2017 - The Planning Report

Mendenhall Glacier

Climate Change Having Dramatic Effect on Mountains

The ecology of mountains around the world is changing as summer plants bloom earlier and forests march up hill to newly temperate ground.

July 2, 2017 - Pacific Standard

Climate Change protest

Three Questions to Ask Yourself About Climate Action

Looking for ways to make a difference in advocating for climate friendly policies? Start with three simple questions.

July 1, 2017 - TheCityFix

Robot car

Beware the Utopian Visions of Transportation Technology Boosters

At the dawn of automated vehicle technology, humans, and Americans in particular, should recall the shortcomings of past utopian visions.

June 30, 2017 - Eno Transportation Weekly

Automobile Owner

Is Car Ownership Coming to an End?

The Wall Street Journal sees the end for car ownership, it's been predicted before, but they see moves from the industry and predictions from consultants as proof that this time it's for real.

June 29, 2017 - The Wall Street Journal

Engineering Civic Action Projects (ENCAP)

With Resources Scarce, Bridge-Builders Cultivate Creativity

Innovation means different things to different people. For Bridges to Prosperity (B2P), a nonprofit that builds footbridges in the developing world, it’s a way to help people thrive despite limited resources.

June 28, 2017 - Doggerel

Carbon Tax

Carbon Pricing Gaining Popularity Around the World

The Sightline Institute thoroughly investigates the use of carbon pricing as a deterrent to greenhouse gas emissions around the world.

June 16, 2017 - Sightline Institute

Trump Sign

When the Level of the Architecture Discussion Resembles the Level of the Political Discussion

Fancy renderings of fanciful ideas might make for "internet catnip," but they don't push the built environment toward healthier and more prosperous outcomes. Where have all the good ideas gone?

June 15, 2017 - The Architect's Newspaper

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.