30 Best Blogs for Urban Planning Students
Most of the world's population now lives in urban zones — a first in the entirety of human history. Unfortunately, the demands placed upon these cities forces even the sturdiest to creak beneath the pressure, with many of them growing too quickly to completely address. In order to meet the increasing challenges of environmentalism, transportation, infrastructure and other hallmarks of urban planning, intrepid students and professionals alike must pool their resources, experiences and ideas together. Anyone studying how cities operate will find the following blogs, listed in no particular order, an amazing start to exploring the various insights available. Taking the time to absorb so many perspectives will do nothing but help improve upon particularly deficient areas.
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Urban Planning Blog
Pratik Mhatre loves exploring the interactions between public policy and urban planning in his wonderful, essential blog. No matter one's passion, he offers up some of the internet's most thoughtful musings on architecture, public transportation, design and plenty more.
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Planetizen
Multiple contributors chime in on the latest news and views regarding architecture, politics, development, energy and, of course, urban planning. Be sure to check out the rest of the website for even more cool stuff!
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the Daily Pothole
Since July 1, 2010, this Department of Transportation Tumblr has featured photos of New York City potholes and reports of fills. It's a very simple concept and execution, but one that urban planning students will likely find amusing and interesting — most especially when it comes to understanding how social media can influence policy.
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The Dirt
The American Society of Landscape Architects presents a must-read regarding man-made and natural constructs as well as their interactions. Any urban planning professional (or hopeful professional) interested in environmentalist initiatives would do well to bookmark this resource.
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reCities
Robert Kwolek blends his passion for city planning and design with green philosophies, offering up some provocative takes on how they play off one another. Great case studies on Baltimore and San Francisco are available for perusal and consideration.
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UrbanOmnibus
Presented by the Architectural League of New York, UrbanOmnibus' intriguing dissections of society, politics and city planning nevertheless have applications in other parts of the world. Its eclectic content will surely provide something of interest and value to anyone studying how cities form and perpetuate themselves.
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Newgeography.com
Politics, planning, economics and society all collide into one very valuable resource for all those interested in urban living. All the research on demographics and populations will prove especially useful when working on projects.
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Plannovation
Cubit, a popular, free planning software, keeps a very cool blog about much more than its digital offerings. Give it a read for some interesting new perspectives about urban development, social media and how the two subjects interact with one another — and the Cubit program, of course.
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CNT
Urban planning students interested in sustainability issues will want to check out the Center for Neighborhood Technology's official blog. Here, they can learn about all the latest news and views on setting up and retrofitting cities for increased eco-friendliness.
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Streetsblog
All of the Streetsblogs, no matter what cities they emphasize, should be considered required bookmarking for all urban planning and policy enthusiasts. As a network, it covers an exceptionally broad spectrum of topics relevant to the community fresh off the digital presses.
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The EveryBlock Blog
Everyblock.com offers citizens, politicians and researchers a chance to zero in on the local news and opinions from America's major cities. While not explicitly about planning, it does provide some seriously cool insights into how technology can help politicians, developers and designers better understand the unique neighborhood cultures and concerns in their area.
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Grist
Take a look at urban planning and development through an environmental lens, courtesy of the wildly popular, respected Grist. The majority of content revolves around cities, energy, climate, tech and business concerns — all of which will prove useful to students in relevant fields.
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New Urban Network
Internet denizens whose interests include "urban planning, walkable communities [and] smart growth" must absolutely stay on top of New Urban Network's vast array of literate and visual offerings. It covers pretty much everything they could possibly want to know about building the strongest possible urban areas, one neighborhood at a time.
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Blueprint America
Unfortunately, PBS does not update its Blueprint America blog and website nearly as frequently as the other resources listed here. Despite this lax scheduling, however, the archives of this educational treatise on the country's infrastructure present things from fascinating historical and technological perspectives alike; it's worthwhile reading and viewing no matter what.
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The Infrastructurist
Though its tagline reads "America Under Construction," The Infrastructurist reports on far more stories than those found within the country's boundaries. Learn about how triumphs and mistakes the world over can be implemented and addressed to suit every city's unique needs.
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GOOD: Cities
GOOD is an extremely broad website featuring more than just urban concerns, though it spends a great deal of time dissecting them and the factors they are both influenced by and influence in kind. For those wanting to read something positive amongst the often frustrating policies and politics, this cheerful site provides a valuable, educational way to pass the time.
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At Lincoln House
Stay on top of the latest findings and opinions from the Lincoln Institute of Land Policy in Cambridge, Massachusetts. It concerns itself with how municipalities and individuals tax, regulate and make use of whatever land they've received.
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Places: Design Observer
A slick site devoted to all things art and design as they relate to pretty much every social, creative and political facet of a city. Design Observer provides one of the most eclectic resources the urban planning student could ever hope to read.
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SeeClickFix
SeeClickFix is one of the best examples of how social media, technology and mobilization can greatly improve neighborhoods. It puts power in the hands of people and allows them to address the issues and injustices they face daily.
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The Transport Politic
As the title implies, this blog will particularly pique the fancy of urban planning professionals and students into everything transportation-related. Use it to explore the policies and practices that shape and impact everything from buses to trains to bike routes — and all that lay between.
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The Urbanophile
Urban analyst Aaron M. Renn maintains one of the internet's hottest blogs for planners, policymakers and citizens alike who need to know all the ins and outs of city life and development. Here, he offers up some insightful opinions, strategies and solutions for improving major metropolitan areas worldwide.
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Spacing
This Canadian blog network compares and contrasts urban planning and living within most of its major cities — and more are on the way! Be sure to explore the podcast and magazine as well for even more insight into a diverse selection of related subjects.
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Ists
With 9 American cities and 2 international ones to choose from, the Ists network of blogs offer a staggering amount of content and insight for urban life and planning enthusiasts. These reads will particularly appeal to students who enjoy studying cultural, engineering and technological factors alike.
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A/N Blog
Architect's Newspaper is an indispensable online reference for anyone involved with urban planning, development and maintenance. Categories on its blog are broken up into regions rather than facets of city life, culture and design and typically focus on those in America.
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Digital Urban
Urban planning students and professionals who love themselves some visualizations and technologies should consider this blog a require read and bookmark. From gadgets to maps to social media and everything in between, it illustrates how to better design and understand cities using available and emerging tools.
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Arounder Blog
Don't even think about reading the Arounder blog without first trying out the absolutely amazing tool it discusses and utilizes! The wondrous site provides maps and photos to virtually walk visitors around 74 (and growing!) locations — and 2 of which are completely off-planet! Users choose from 4 different regions and explore the major cities from the comfort of their own browsers.
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City of Sound
Designer, urbanist and blogger Dan Hill understands how music, media, art and culture provide an essential component of all cities, no matter what continent they call home. Read his intelligent, insightful musings on how all these factors blend together to create today's urban spheres.
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WebUrbanist
Multiple contributors talk architecture, art, design, the green scene, culture and — of course — the urban lifestyle. WebUrbanist allows city dwellers and developers alike an intimate glimpse into how even seemingly separate elements all fit together into one cohesive whole.
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The City Fix
Choose from 1 general and 3 regional — Washington, D.C., Mexico City and Mumbai — blogs and explore worldwide perspectives on sustainability and public transportation. No matter which of the resources a reader selects, he or she will be treated to some amazing peeks into eco-friendly triumphs, tragedies, experiments and proposals.
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Rethink College Park
Follow the plucky pair of David Daddio and Rob Godspeed as they apply their design and development know-how in the service of College Park, Maryland. They engage the community considerably when drawing up plans to make the beloved town (and university!) reach its fullest possible potential and meet as many needs and wants as possible.
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