World
Global issues, U.N., etc.
Making Biking Cool for Kids
A three-year bike-to-school initiative in Europe encourages children to bike to school.
Lawsuit Puts Climate Change Preparation Onus On Cities
A class-action lawsuit filed by Farmers Insurance Co. against the city of Chicago raises questions on municipal responsibility to prepare against 'foreseeable risk.'
Aggravated 15 Year Olds as a Measure of Place
Is there nowhere in your town to teach a kid to drive? Congratulations. You may be on to something.
The Fundamental Responsibility of Architects
On Places, Reinhold Martin explores the theme of this year's Venice Architecture Biennale.
Why Humans Humanize Self-Driving Cars
A recent article presents the findings of a study examining the question of how humans will assign or cope with blame for collisions caused by self-driving cars. The findings present insight on how humans will interact with technology in the future.
Really Bad News from Antarctica
For those who thought that glacial melting due to climate change mainly affected Greenland and mountain glaciers like in the Himalayas, think again. A new NASA/UC Irvine study reports that melting of West Antarctica's glaciers "appears unstoppable".
Tea Party Taps Hippie Wisdom: How’s that working out?
A local Tea Party type is making a passionate pitch for what his group considers Constitutional guarantees against government planning, and I get this deju vu tug. I’ve been here before. I’VE BEEN THIS BEFORE.
Interfacing Urban Intelligence
Shannon Mattern argues that as we enter the era of so-called “smart” cities, we need to consider the point of engagement where citizens interface with the city’s operating system.
'Gayborhoods' and Walkscore: the Importance of Community
Richard Florida opines that among many factors in the most walkable neighborhoods, "[who] our neighbors are, and how similar or different they are from us, matters too."
Ranking the Best City Brands
"The inaugural Guardian Cities brand barometer ranks world cities on everything from transport and weather to crime and social 'buzz.'" Guardian Cities released a trio of posts in connection with the rankings.
Climate Change Impacts all of U.S., warns National Climate Assessment
For the third time since 2000, the federal government has issued a National Climate Assessment, as mandated by Congress in 1990, to “understand, assess, predict, and respond" to climate change. The report was approved by President Obama on Tuesday.
Let Your Freak Flag Fly
In the celebratory spirit of Cinco de Mayo, Scott Doyon invites you to let your freak flag fly.
Driverless Taxis: the Next Next Big Thing in Urban Transportation?
The idea of cars that would drive themselves has only recently moved from science fiction to reality. In this feature, Antonio Loro explores the feasibility and implications of automated vehicles, especially self-driving taxis.
The Elements and Benefits of the Protected Intersection
A Dutch design for a protected intersection goes beyond the "mixing zone" to create safer multi-modal conditions in intersections on streets that include protected bike lanes. Do you think it will work?
Climate Change: a Global Commons Problem
A quick city planner's guide to the voluminous Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change report out earlier this month.
On the Strange Isolation of Abandoned Cities—In World of Warcraft
Drawing heavily on comparisons to the booms and busts of American cities, a writer describes the perfectly-preserved, abandoned, virtual cities of the popular online game World of Warcraft.
Celebrating the Botanical Diversity of Cities
The word “ecology” has been co-opted so widely that it has lost real meaning, yet ecological thinking remains a powerful lens for understanding complex adaptive systems. A new book aims for a more rigorous engagement of ecology and design.
Do Tall Cities Require the Regulation of Sunlight?
Planners, lawyers and homeowners have been arguing the question of "solar rights" for two millennia. A recent article presents a primer on the historic and contemporary importance of the debate.
Study: Walking Increases Creativity
It's common knowledge that taking a walk can help get the creative juices flowing—but a new study by researchers at Santa Clara University claims to have proven it.
How Tall is Too Tall?
What is the best height to promote good urban living? It needs to be high to attain necessary density but not so high that it detracts from the quality of life, particularly for existing residents. In short, what is the Goldilocks height level?
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
