Public Health

Washington Square Park, New York City

Reshaping Cities for Present-Day Populations

The demographic changes of the last few years give city planners and urban designers an opportunity to reimagine how public spaces can most effectively promote public health, wellbeing, and equity.

February 23, 2023 - Douglas C. Smith

Unhoused tents under shade canopies in downtown Los Angeles, California

Extreme Heat Responsible for Growing Death Rates Among Unhoused People

Extreme heat events like the ‘heat dome’ that baked Southern California last summer kill a disproportionate number of people experiencing homelessness, who have fewer resources to protect themselves from the scorching sun.

February 21, 2023 - Los Angeles Times

Children

Study: Extracurricular Activities Benefit Children’s Mental Health

A new study indicates that improving access to extracurricular activities (EA) may help address the growing mental health needs of children and caregivers.

February 20, 2023 - Academic Pediatrics

Trees

Planting More Trees to Protect and Save Lives

A new study estimates that more than a third of premature deaths from excessive heat can be prevented by planting more trees in cities.

February 20, 2023 - World Economic Forum

Gray chemical cloud seen from a distance from train derailment in Palestine, Ohio

Friday Funny: ‘Deregulation Works’

A tongue-in-cheek piece from The Onion calls the disastrous train derailment in Ohio a “deregulation success story.”

February 17, 2023 - The Onion

People walking and biking on flat dirt trail next to San Francisco Bay with Golden Gate Bridge in background

City Dwellers Happiest in Parks, Angry at Transit Stops

An analysis of geotagged tweets reveals that city dwellers express positive emotions in green spaces and restaurants, while bus stops and transit elicited more frustrated reactions.

February 12, 2023 - Bloomberg CityLab

Close-up of black electric stove with red heated coil and person reaching out to press button

Study: Electric Stoves Improve Air Quality

Air pollutants in housing units that received electric stoves as part of a pilot program dropped sharply, signaling that switching to electric appliances has public health benefits as well as environmental ones.

February 10, 2023 - Next City

Trees

How the Urban Tree Canopy Can Save Lives in a Heat Wave

New research reveals the direct link between planting more trees and a reduction in heat-related deaths.

February 6, 2023 - Phys.org

"Caution! Extreme heat danger" sign in Death Valley National Park with desert mountains in background

The Importance of Cooling Centers

A new UCLA study examines how formal and informal cooling centers are being used in Los Angeles County.

January 16, 2023 - UCLA Newsroom

Oil Pump in Los Angeles

Lawsuit Challenges L.A. Oil Drilling Ban

Oil companies with operations in the city of Los Angeles are suing over an ordinance that seeks to phase out drilling within city limits due to public health and environmental concerns.

January 12, 2023 - Los Angeles Times

Aerial view of port community of San Pedro, California

EPA Grants Target Environmental Justice

The agency will administer $100 million in grants to cities, states, and tribal nations as part of the Biden administration’s Justice40 initiative.

January 12, 2023 - Route Fifty

Close-up of fence covered with flowers, flyers, and other memorial items at site of deadly Twin Parks building fire

U.S. Fire Administration to Investigate Building Fires

New legislation gives the federal agency power to identify the causes of deadly fires and recommend improvements.

January 11, 2023 - The New York Times

Coronavirus Social Distancing

Friday Eye Candy: Covid-19, Then and Now

The New York Times compared images from readers portraying similar scenes in 2020 and 2022.

January 6, 2023 - The New York Times

People biking across the Queensboro Bridge

U.S. Population Growing Again in 2022 After Flatlining in 2021

The U.S. Census released new population estimates last week, showing an increase in population growth just a year after national population growth crawled to an unprecedented halt.

December 27, 2022 - James Brasuell

A school blacktop is viewed from bird’s eye view. The blacktop is adorned with painting and colors for games. but no children are present.

Identifying and Improving Schools Most In Need of Greening

Los Angeles Unified School District (LAUSD) has developed an index to help identify the schools that are most in need of greening resources.

December 19, 2022 - Los Angeles Unified School District

Helicopter flying over New York City with Empire State Building visible on left

Helicopter Noise Complaints Surge in New York

Residents argue the city and state must do more to regulate the hundreds of flights that criss-cross the area on a daily basis.

December 13, 2022 - StreetsBlog NYC

View from back of two elderly people sitting on park bench

How Neighborhoods Impact Older Adults’ Resiliency to Climate Change

New research seeks to learn how homes, neighborhoods, and communities affect how older residents are affected by climate change.

December 7, 2022 - Joint Center for Housing Studies of Harvard University

View of black oil wells behind chain link fence with barbed wire top

Los Angeles To Phase Out Oil Drilling

The city has banned new wells and will end all extraction within two decades.

December 6, 2022 - Los Angeles Times

Urban separated bike lane with street trees on one side and cars parked on the other

How Urban Trees Save Lives

New research shows a strong connection between a healthy urban tree canopy and lowered mortality rates.

December 1, 2022 - Congress For New Urbanism

Walkable Street

Report: Sustainability Goals Go Unmet in Many Global Cities

Cities around the world are failing to achieve progress toward their sustainability and public health goals, new research finds.

November 17, 2022 - Brookings

Top Books

An annual review of books related to planning.

Top Websites

The best of the Internet—since 2002.

Top Apps

Planning apps for a brave new world.

Top Schools

The definitive ranking of graduate planning programs.

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.