Kaid Benfield Archive

Articles 2011-2014

New guide from ASLA highlights urban green, literally, in Portland (October 27, 2014)
Compact and connected communities improve public health, says new research (October 20, 2014)
For smart growth, not all urban density is created equal (October 6, 2014)
New report shows how to reduce vehicle pollution, create financial savings on a global scale (September 30, 2014)
Do greener, healthier cities need an 'elevator speech'? (September 22, 2014)
City issues are environmental issues. Here's why. (September 11, 2014)
Is it time to change the narrative about Detroit? (September 5, 2014)
The daunting challenge of unwalkable America (excerpted from People Habitat)(September 2, 2014)
Why San Francisco, New York and DC may be more affordable than you thought(August 25, 2014)
What the latest housing data mean for the environment (August 1, 2014)
What we like - and don't like - about our cities (July 29, 2014)
Meet the original 'High Line' (July 14, 2014)
Moving beyond "smart growth" to a more holistic city agenda (July 8, 2014)
Agriculture Department to demonstrate green infrastructure, organic farming in DC 'outdoor museum' (June 27, 2014)
Mission-driven Mobile Market targets food deserts, underserved schools (June 24, 2014)
Six ways that thoughtful community planning can help fight climate change (June 4, 2014)
Pedestrian safety leads to more walking, or is it vice versa? (May 30, 2014)
What makes a good Main Street work? (May 27, 2014)
Older buildings, continuity of place, and the human experience (May 19, 2014)
How reinventing university-city relationships can boost communities' sustainability (guest post by Lee Epstein) (May 12, 2014)
The very embodiment of sustainability, in a small city (May 9, 2014)
Meet your new neighbor - carefully (May 7, 2014)
The many benefits of street trees and urban greenery (excerpted from People Habitat) (April 23, 2014)
My place on the earth (April 22, 2014)
City growth outpaces that of suburbs: new data (April 16, 2014)
The coolest urban trail you are likely to see (April 10, 2014)
LA's Little Tokyo strengthens its identity by planning a "cultural eco-district" (written with Thomas Yee) (April 3, 2014)
Your neighborhood (or mine, or anyone's) after nature's jungle takes over (March 31, 2014)
Helping neighbors plan their own communities' future: a model for inclusive revitalization (March 28, 2014)
A fresh look at Bangkok, rising Asian megacity (by Lee Epstein) (March 19, 2014)
The thorny matter of gentrification (March 14, 2014)
Why urban demographers are right about the trend toward downtowns and walkable suburbs (February 25, 2014)
Ten large US cities join major new initiative to reduce carbon pollution from buildings (February 21, 2014)
A glimpse inside the "undercity" of a Mumbai slum (February 19, 2014)
How the diverse textures and contrasts of city life engage us (February 17, 2014)
Ten things planners need to know about demographics and the future real estate market (January 30, 2014)
The top 10 US cities for public transportation (January 28, 2014)
Why historic post offices matter, and what might help save them (January 22, 2014)
Reconceiving the elementary school library in Johannesburg (January 21, 2014)
Dan Burden, articulate on how to create walkable communities (January 20, 2014)
Are we creating family-friendly cities? If not, shouldn't we be? (January 15, 2014)
Five ways to think about greener, healthier cities (January 13, 2014)
Hamburg's ambitious green network addresses nature, climate resilience, sustainable transportation (January 10, 2014)
For good TOD planning, start with infrastructure like this (January 8, 2014)
Traditional downtowns reconsidered: some further thoughts (January 2, 2014)
A festival of holiday BIKES (December 23, 2013)
The need for planning in the 'Southern Cone': a second look at Argentina (by Lee Epstein) (December 20, 2013)
How green infrastructure investments can create commercial property value(December 19, 2013)
Is the 'traditional' downtown a thing of the past? Is that OK? (December 18, 2013)
Today's corporations want city connections and amenities, not suburban sprawl(December 13, 2013)
How bus rapid transit is cleaning the air and saving commute time in Mexico City and Istanbul (December 11, 2013)
How a smarter streetscape is reviving a faded suburban district (December 9, 2013)
We're driving less, taking transit more. Now let's invest accordingly. (December 5, 2013)
City sustainability leaders share their successes in The Guide to Greening Cities(December 2, 2013)
Wasting Away (by Lee Epstein) (November 26, 2013)
New Realtors' community preference poll: Americans want to have their cake and eat it, too (November 25, 2013)
Tennessee dad arrested for attempting to pick up kids after school on foot (November 20, 2013)
We need more driving-optional neighborhoods (excerpted from People Habitat)(November 18, 2013)
Boston's Emerald Necklace sets the standard for linked city parks (November 15, 2013)
Saving older houses from the "vacancy vortex," a little at a time (November 13, 2013)
No child left outside (November 11, 2013)
Apartheid and its aftermath, represented in the story of one very tall apartment building (November 7, 2013)
How the complete streets movement is improving our communities (November 4, 2013)
Architecture, public responsibility, and the art of listening (October 28, 2013)
Can innovative transportation help "the most dangerous city in the world" shake its reputation? (October 23, 2013)
Stabilizing & greening the favelas: Rio's formidable challenge (October 21, 2013)
Amazing collaboration transforms decay into a new heart for small town (October 17, 2013)
Augusta's new master plan for revitalization looks like a winner (by Lee Epstein)(October 16, 2013)
City sustainability must begin with reinvestment in neighborhoods (October 15, 2013)
40 percent of Americans believe their neighborhoods are not walkable (October 3, 2013)
Ten tips for communicating in the Age of the Idea (September 30, 2013)
City sustainability is about the environment, even when it isn't (September 25, 2013)
See how people take back their streets on international Park(ing) Day (September 23, 2013)
Enlivening dead city spaces with street art (September 13, 2013)
Washington Post misses the point on suburban roads (September 12, 2013)
'Green' sprawl is still sprawl (September 3, 2013)
Reclaiming the night sky (August 29, 2013)
A meditation on cities and the need for peaceful places (August 28, 2013)
Welcome the age of the 'anti-mall' (maybe?) (August 26, 2013)
Reconsidering Seaside, Florida (August 15, 2013)
(Still) Searching for the sustainable city formula (August 14, 2013)
DC population and housing trends bode well for US central cities (August 12, 2013)
How a once-disinvested neighborhood is building community with pride and leadership (written with Matt Higbee) (August 1, 2013)
"Transit-oriented development" - becoming loose talk? (July 26, 2013)
Why Johnny and Joanie still can't walk to school (July 25, 2013)
Malls and big boxes continue to lose their grip - will this mean more abandoned properties? (July 24, 2013)
The Tour de Work: fun video on bike commuting in Australia (July 19, 2013)
Nurturing and strengthening the urban commons: some beginning principles (Part 2 of 2) (July 17, 2013)
Sustainability and the urban commons (Part 1 of 2) (July 15, 2013)
13 photos and 11 simple thoughts for greener, healthier cities (July 8, 2013)
The proof is in: smart growth reduces risk of mortgage default (June 27, 2013)
Urbanism without effort: sometimes the best places are created instinctively (June 25, 2013)
Two very different views of the condition of American cities (June 24, 2013)
Best & worst cities for convenient public parks, and why it matters (June 19, 2013)
Whither intelligent vehicles and automated highways? (with Lee Epstein) (June 17, 2013)
How LEED-ND standards reduce driving and associated emissions: new research(June 12, 2013)
As we remake suburbs, should we guard against "commercial gentrification"? (June 11, 2013)
Federal court says highway sponsors must first study transit, impacts on suburban sprawl (June 5, 2013)
A sense of place, finally on the way (June 4, 2013)
How Baltimore helps convert vacant properties into rehabbed homes (May 31, 2013)
Shelley Poticha to lead NRDC's new urban solutions program (May 24, 2013)
New round of arts grants help revitalize and animate city neighborhoods (May 20, 2013)
Measuring life quality: the Boston Indicators Project (May 13, 2013)
Transit stars in 3 kinetic time-lapse minutes from Zurich (May 10, 2013)
There must be a there (excerpted from People Habitat) (May 8, 2013)
Is there a way to (downtown) San Jose? (by Lee Epstein) (May 6, 2013)
What good, grassroots advocacy for complete streets looks like (May 3, 2013)
Is it time for "smarter smart growth"? (May 1, 2013)
The case for building on a city's historic assets (April 29, 2013)
An amazing, entertaining vision for greening Rio's working port (April 26, 2013)
Before the (next) deluge: Midwestern floods remind us of sprawl's toll (April 24, 2013)
This transit system is also the world's longest art exhibit (April 22, 2013)
Can quality of life be mapped? (April 19, 2013)
The interdependence of successful towns and the rural landscape (April 17, 2013)
Where sprawl still rules (April 11, 2013)
Impressive public-private-NGO partnership begins to clean up an urban river (April 8, 2013)
Green cities explained in a fun cartoon video for kids! (April 5, 2013)
The essential elements of green cities (by Lee Epstein) (April 3, 2013)
NRDC, CNU launch potentially "historic" agreement to control sprawl, rebuild cities (April 1, 2013)
'Portlandia' send-up of the 'tiny house' movement (March 29, 2013)
Cities and the ecology of "people habitat" (March 27, 2013)
New DC data confirm real estate recovery strongest in central & transit-served locations (March 26, 2013)
A new twist on property rights - the strange case of squatters' sovereignty (March 25, 2013)
Five ways to rock the Irish green on St Paddy's day (March 15, 2013)
The seven deadly sins of land use (March 13, 2013)
David Dixon, leader of 2013's top city planning firm, on what makes cities great (March 12, 2013)
This is transit-oriented development? (March 8, 2013)
World's second-largest rooftop farm takes root in Boston (March 7, 2013)
For walkable cities, it's not about the density - it's about finding the right kind of density(March 4, 2013)
When affordable housing isn't, really (March 1, 2013)
Meet America's most diverse neighborhoods - some may surprise you (February 27, 2013)
Embracing immigration for workforce and economic development (February 25, 2013)
DC issues ambitious plan to become "the healthiest, greenest, and most livable city in the United States" (February 20, 2013)
The link between sustainable farming and sustainable communities (February 20, 2013)
Coercion by contract: how homeowners associations stifle expression, sustainability(February 19, 2013)
How city lights change the way we experience places (February 15, 2013)
10 principles for making high-density cities better (February 13, 2013)
Lloyd Alter brings it on the car culture, "gizmo" technology, architecture, green lifestyles, & cities (February 11, 2013)
And, on the eighth day, God created transit (February 7, 2013)
Meet the nation's biggest landlord (and developer) (with Lee Epstein) (February 6, 2013)
Are Main Streets a thing of the past? Is that OK? (February 4, 2013)
Why smarter land use can help cities attract and retain young adults (February 1, 2013)
Greening America's capital cities (January 30, 2013)
Culture clash, or culture convergence? Rightist survivalism meets green urbanism (January 28, 2013)
As good and important as it is, LEED can be so embarrassing (January 18, 2013)
The disturbing and sometimes tragic challenge of walking in America (January 16, 2013)
An affordable housing enclave that fits in, strengthens a neighborhood, and protects the environment (January 14, 2013)
Has your favorite phrase jumped the shark? The vocabulary of community-building (January 11, 2013)
Could Buenos Aires be a model for thinking about US cities? (by Lee Epstein) (January 10, 2013)
Suburban sprawl could destroy up to 34 million acres of forests, says new study(January 8, 2013)
The power of "creative placemaking" (January 7, 2013)
How retrofitting a California suburb for walkability is spurring economic development(January 4, 2013)
Five green community stories to watch in 2013 (January 2, 2013)
The best of 2012 in green community solutions: a personal, eclectic list (December 31, 2012)
The voices behind a remarkably inclusive green neighborhood-in-progress (December 28, 2012)
Can the good work of Kansas City's Green Impact Zone be sustained? (December 27, 2012)
Great cities celebrate the season (December 21, 2012)
Dreaming of a BIKE Christmas (December 20, 2012)
New research confirms central-city comebacks (December 18, 2012)
From elephant to estuary: does the 2013 European Green Capital have something to teach US cities? (December 17, 2012)
If you're out on your bike tonight, consider trying this (December 12, 2012)
The greening of America's taxis (December 7, 2012)
The fascinating visual rhythms of regional transit (December 6, 2012)
HUD builds impressive record of support for smarter community planning (December 5, 2012)
The ten steps of walkability (December 3, 2012)
Wow: animating the city with amazing, kinetic LEDs (November 30, 2012)
EPA honors seven outstanding community sustainability projects (November 28, 2012)
The coolest green infrastructure you are likely to see (November 27, 2012)
Mitigating the environmental paradox of smart growth: softening urban density(November 26, 2012)
Meet the modern American family (November 21, 2012)
Massachusetts takes a step for smart neighborhoods, workforce housing (November 20, 2012)
Why I support the DC building height restrictions (November 19, 2012)
How a tough neighborhood is building a stronger future with vivid public art (November 16, 2012)
Can people live in harmony with nature on the Galapagos? (November 15, 2012)
Shaping shared places to improve cities (November 13, 2012)
Green homes, services provide opportunity and pride for veterans (November 12, 2012)
Honoring a sustainability champion who 'repairs the fabric of communities' (November 9, 2012)
A modest set of community principles for the President's second term (November 7, 2012)
Sandy as preview: making communities more resilient to severe climate events (with Lee Epstein) (November 5, 2012)
How Barcelona is becoming a leader in solar energy (November 1, 2012)
Celebrating the autumnal city (October 26, 2012)
Which US metros have the greenest commuting habits? (October 25, 2012)
The compelling story of the bungalows of Rockaway (October 23, 2012)
A look at "seven keys to stronger community" (October 22, 2012)
Pursuing nonsprawling city growth with major brownfield redevelopment: the Sacramento Railyards (October 19, 2012)
A low-income community taps homegrown leadership for a brighter future (October 17, 2012)
How to use LEED-ND to improve an older neighborhood (October 16, 2012)
When artists are rooted in place: a small-town musician fights for a piece of community history (October 15, 2012)
The Space Between: caring for cities as an expression of faith (October 12, 2012)
Take a virtual bike ride around Winnipeg in this super-fun video! (October 11, 2012)
Urban farm grows more than food as kids gain work, leadership skills (October 10, 2012)
Getting to yes on the right kind of suburban change (by Lee Epstein) (October 9, 2012)
Signs of inspiration and resilience in an inner-city neighborhood (photo essay) (October 5, 2012)
Our failure to create more meaningful communities for aging in place (October 4, 2012)
Cleaning the urban environment with "sustainable backyards" (October 2, 2012)
Retrofitting inner-city neighborhoods for energy efficiency (October 1, 2012)
Fixing sprawl with baby steps, one parking lot at a time (September 27, 2012)
Walk Score gets interactive, makes space for user photos & comments (September 26, 2012)
How California is planning growth for a prosperous economy and clean environment(September 25, 2012)
New online guide highlights the (sometimes hidden) beauty of Washington, DC(September 24, 2012)
Community art or community development? Yes and yes, in Houston's inspiring Project Row Houses (September 20, 2012)
The amazing cardboard bike project (September 19, 2012)
A fiscal conservative's manifesto against sprawl (September 18, 2012)
The challenging transformation of Valley Homes: from decay to the beginnings of community (September 17, 2012)
How creative entrepreneurs are enlivening Miami's Little Havana (September 14, 2012)
Amazing video perspective on Los Angeles, filmed for French TV in 1969 (September 13, 2012)
How pro sports are helping to green cities (September 12, 2012)
How communities can support walkability and be recognized for it (September 10, 2012)
The fall - and rise - of small downtown America (by Lee Epstein) (September 7, 2012)
What makes a great city street? Consider these examples (September 6, 2012)
Cities, sustainable placemaking, & the careful use of words (September 5, 2012)
Public transit is for everyone, dogs too (August 13, 2012)
Where the bike commuters are, mapped & analyzed (August 10, 2012)
Philadelphia's lively new park-in-phases creates a "front porch" for residents, commuters, visitors (August 9, 2012)
It doesn't have to be low-density to be sprawl (August 6, 2012)
Two minutes on updating the American Dream, with Peter Calthorpe (August 3, 2012)
Some welcome perspective on Walmart's Sustainability Index (August 2, 2012)
What trees mean to communities: more than you may think (July 31, 2012)
How far will we walk to go somewhere? It depends. (July 30, 2012)
Rit Aggarwala on why cities are more environmental solution than problem (July 27, 2012)
Loving a place to death . . . or not: communities near our great land- and waterscapes (by Lee Epstein) (July 25, 2012)
London's showcase of sustainable living (July 24, 2012)
How I'm thinking about people habitat these days (July 23, 2012)
Looking for a model of a walkable, green, community-serving school? Start here. (July 20, 2012)
How sprawl worsens the impacts of drought and how smart growth can help (July 19, 2012)
Great infographic on benefits of public transportation (July 17, 2012)
What is "infrastructure," anyway? Industry report highlights 100 leading city projects(July 16, 2012)
What will become of the most famous road in America? (July 13, 2012)
Cincinnati re-opens spectacular park in revitalizing historic district (July 12, 2012)
The opportunity that Apple is missing to build a better neighborhood (July 10, 2012)
Relax, Outer Banks: NC state legislature outlaws sea level rise (July 9, 2012)
The military case for energy independence (July 6, 2012)
Building community by painting the town with street art (July 5, 2012)
A post for Independence Day: America the welcoming (July 3, 2012)
Check out our growing video library for smarter, greener communities (July 2, 2012)
Central cities now growing faster than suburbs, confirming trends for walkable lifestyles, shorter commutes (June 29, 2012)
How communities across America are creating a brighter future with help from the feds (June 28, 2012)
Streamlining the process for people-oriented streets (June 26, 2012)
When values collide: balancing green technology and historic buildings (June 25, 2012)
Rebuilding downtown from scratch: striking images and a video from Christchurch(June 22, 2012)
Measuring community sustainability: how do we know if we're on the right path? (June 21, 2012)
What if bus stops were designed as if bus stops really mattered? (June 20, 2012)
New reports and resources emphasize steps communities can take to improve health(June 19, 2012)
Poll shows that Americans like planning, after all. But the details are messy. (June 18, 2012)
Terrific short video on arts-driven placemaking (June 15, 2012)
New evidence that city trees reduce crime (June 13, 2012)
National arts partnership steps up big for community revitalization (June 12, 2012)
The Plumbers' Law, or how sustainable development helps watersheds (by Lee Epstein) (June 11, 2012)
New evidence that smart growth may reduce local congestion as well as overall driving (June 8, 2012)
Denver redevelopment sets new standards for community engagement & analysis(June 7, 2012)
How walkable, transit-oriented neighborhoods help seniors (June 5, 2012)
Bike lanes 2.0: now or soon in a city near you (June 4, 2012)
Bank of America supports affordable green neighborhoods with grant program (June 1, 2012)
Does a sustainable community need a good drinking establishment? (May 31, 2012)
Detroit's prospects may be better than we think (May 30, 2012)
Managing the increasing urbanization of Washington: sensitivity required (May 29, 2012)
The many scenes of Memorial Day (May 28, 2012)
Managing traffic (or not) on the waterways of Venice (May 25, 2012)
Climate ride rolls strong for clean transportation and a healthy planet (May 24, 2012)
A short walk reveals the simple delights of cities worth loving (May 22, 2012)
Promoting people-oriented development around transit (May 21, 2012)
Charlotte's Music Factory transforms abandoned mill into lively entertainment district(May 18, 2012)
New housing forecast mostly good for walkable communities (May 17, 2012)
Citizen participation in the design of sustainable communities (May 16, 2012)
Taming the sound of the city: dealing with noise pollution (May 15, 2012)
'Baseball-oriented development' hits a home run in DC (May 14, 2012)
Shipping container "cities" bring creative, funky approach to green construction (May 11, 2012)
The right approach to green, inclusive revitalization (May 10, 2012)
US obesity rates continue to soar, in part because of automobile dependence (May 9, 2012)
Great city characteristics make us happier. Unless they don't. (May 8, 2012)
Impressive Denver study on equity & transit should become national model (May 4, 2012)
Visualizing the "edible city" in three minutes (May 3, 2012)
Can collaboration substitute for authority in solving regional problems? (May 1, 2012)
Sustainability in the crazy-quilt world of metro regions (April 30, 2012)
Nashville's new hypergreen riverfront park (April 27, 2012)
America's best cities for public transportation (April 26, 2012)
Toronto's leadership for green roofs (April 25, 2012)
Smart growth is a start. But it's not enough. (April 24, 2012)
Is placemaking a "new environmentalism"? (April 23, 2012)
Turning abandoned and obsolete properties into "park-oriented development" (April 20, 2012)
A friend's manifesto for free-market sustainability (April 19, 2012)
Can the National Mall be re-imagined as a place for people? (April 18, 2012)
Traffic explained, then fixed in 4 entertaining minutes (April 17, 2012)
Want to build development that the community will welcome? Ask them what they want.(April 16, 2012)
Data summaries show walkable communities are good for our health, and for business, too (April 13, 2012)
SoCal's new sustainability strategy is impressive step forward (April 12, 2012)
5 videos that could change the way you see cities (April 11, 2012)
Cartoon gives new meaning to 'complete streets'! (April 10, 2012)
Preserving a sense of place in LA's Little Tokyo (April 9, 2012)
"Culturally appropriate, healthy and affordable housing" for Native American communities (April 6, 2012)
How the evolving housing market will help sustainable communities (April 4, 2012)
The emptiest mall in the world (March 30, 2012)
How and why we should green parking facilities (March 29, 2012)
5 graphs and 4 photos tell the story on obesity, diabetes & walking (March 28, 2012)
Two minutes on how to make a healthy city (March 27, 2012)
A remarkable grassroots revitalization matures and thrives in Boston (March 26, 2012)
What's wrong with this picture? Horribly unsafe street design, for starters (March 23, 2012)
Nine low-tech steps for community resilience in a warming climate (March 22, 2012)
Will the real green colleges please stand up? (by Lee Epstein) (March 21, 2012)
Madness: the NCAA Sweet Sixteen decided by Walk Score! (March 20, 2012)
Stonehenge assembly instructions (March 19, 2012)
The greening of Guinness (March 16, 2012)
Green, supportive housing for veterans should become a national model (March 15, 2012)
A high-tech corporate giant strengthens a walkable, transit-accessible neighborhood (March 14, 2012)
If you care about cities, return that new iPad (March 13, 2012)
How to retrofit failing suburban big-box stores into a green showcase (March 12, 2012)
Guess what DOESN'T stay in Vegas: sprawl (March 9, 2012)
It's unanimous: El Paso commits to a smarter, greener future (March 8, 2012)
Tools to help cities and towns guide green development (March 7, 2012)
Stay thirsty, my friends: Whisky power is displacing fossil fuels (March 6, 2012)
Running freeways through cities has often been a costly mistake. So, what now?(March 5, 2012)
Pruitt-Igoe and lessons from the failure of postwar housing policy (March 2, 2012)
Let's link the working rural landscape to the sustainability agenda (with Lee Epstein)(March 1, 2012)
Zoning reform strengthens Nashville's impressive sustainability efforts (February 29, 2012)
Nationwide data show how transportation costs hurt families, better planning can help (February 28, 2012)
New wetlands park replaces brownfield in distressed neighborhood (February 27, 2012)
Mountaintop removal offends my core (February 24, 2012)
DC zoning update seeks to legalize, encourage better neighborhoods (February 23, 2012)
Can US communities learn from this European suburban retrofit? (February 22, 2012)
Laissez les bons temps rouler - the musical soul of a city (February 21, 2012)
Transforming a derelict city building into vertical gardens for nearby residents (February 20, 2012)
Where am I? Given crazy jurisdictional borders, it's hard to tell (February 17, 2012)
HUD launches Sustainable Communities Resource Center (February 16, 2012)
Nashville's promise for a greener transportation future (February 15, 2012)
Why lovable places matter to sustainability (February 14, 2012)
City places that inspire romance (a gallery of walkability, part 2) (February 13, 2012)
A second winner at this year's Super Bowl: the walkable downtown (February 10, 2012)
What's going on with new home sizes - is the madness finally over? (February 9, 2012)
A new Native American village based on tradition helps a Tribe reclaim its sustainable roots (February 8, 2012)
'The power of the post-industrial city' (February 7, 2012)
What does the new economy mean for the shape of communities? (February 6, 2012)
How to start transforming sprawl with shared personal vehicles (February 3, 2012)
The environmental building blocks of urban happiness (February 2, 2012)
The geography of persistent unemployment contains some surprises (February 1, 2012)
Affordable housing in a "gypsy wagon" (January 31, 2012)
Blog post number 1000: A gallery of walkability (January 30, 2012)
The word "sustainable" is unsustainable (January 27, 2012)
Can Ontario deliver the continent's best land-use plan? (January 26, 2012)
How a rain garden cleans industrial pollution (January 25, 2012)
The green dividend from reusing older buildings (January 24, 2012)
Reconciling cities with water scarcity (January 23, 2012)
Designing healthy communities with Dr. Richard Jackson (January 20, 2012)
A spiffy green waterfront begins to take shape in DC (January 19, 2012)
More walkable urban development is good. But is it good enough? (January 18, 2012)
Living the low-car lifestyle (January 17, 2012)
Images and a song for this day (January 16, 2012)
Ever wonder what happens to your trash? (January 13, 2012)
Eight components of a "healing city" (January 12, 2012)
When shops and services are within walking distance, we walk more and drive less(January 11, 2012)
BioMilano dreams a lusher, greener metropolis (January 10, 2012)
A strong case for a rail- and transit-oriented California (January 9, 2012)
The citizen as expert: grassroots planning Down East (January 6, 2012)
A city on the move (January 5, 2012)
Rust Belt cities: to avoid more shrinkage, protect & strengthen the core (January 4, 2012)
Smaller, more sustainable living in neighborhoods that fit in (January 3, 2012)
The city of the future (January 2, 2012)
The new economy: work closer, live smaller, connect better (December 30, 2011)
Essays on community sustainability: my favorite posts of the year (December 29, 2011)
Can we balance the old and new as a place evolves? (December 28, 2011)
It's a most wonderful time for city places (December 21, 2011)
Fixing suburbs with green streets that accommodate everyone (December 20, 2011)
William & Mary plans campus 'eco-village' (December 19, 2011)
Have yourself a merry TRANSIT Christmas! (December 16, 2011)
Official review finds environmental benefits from additional homes near Silicon Valley jobs (December 15, 2011)
"Give green" this year for sustainable communities (December 14, 2011)
The good news: we're getting more city parks. The bad news: we have less money to take care of them. (December 13, 2011)
How cities are like tomatoes (December 12, 2011)
Can grassroots planning save what's best of a rapidly suburbanizing community?(December 9, 2011)
'Weed bombing' turns blight to bright in Miami (December 8, 2011)
Does the sustainable communities agenda have something to offer rural America?(December 7, 2011)
Land conservation, smart growth and the environment (December 6, 2011)
See videos of EPA smart growth award winners (December 2, 2011)
National models of inclusive revitalization, smart planning, green building honored by EPA (December 2, 2011)
Dear America, we need more public transportation (December 1, 2011)
Will downtown comebacks, entrepreneurs reverse commercial sprawl? (November 30, 2011)
Rebuilding an affordable, sustainable community in Galveston (November 29, 2011)
The importance of legacy to sustainability (November 28, 2011)
How pocket parks may make cities safer, more healthy (November 23, 2011)
New HUD grants will help communities pursue sustainability (November 22, 2011)
How Hamburg became the European Green Capital (November 21, 2011)
Best US cities for living car-free? None of the above, really (November 18, 2011)
Report highlights exemplary clean water practices in Philadelphia, Milwaukee, other cities (November 17, 2011)
Back to the farm: subdivision land now reverting to agriculture (November 16, 2011)
Green development award program honored for outstanding achievement (November 15, 2011)
Diamond in the rough, or a futile attempt to engineer walkability (November 14, 2011)
Organic farm prepares veterans for jobs in sustainable agriculture (November 11, 2011)
Cincinnati voters clear the way for streetcar, joining national trend (November 10, 2011)
Walk Score just keeps getting better - check out these new features (November 9, 2011)
Can Phoenix be greened? (November 8, 2011)
People Habitat: great city places (November 7, 2011)
Visions show the incredible potential of the Atlanta Beltline (November 4, 2011)
Apps for the environment (November 3, 2011)
Australia outlines national city design principles (November 2, 2011)
Making cities healthier (and livelier) with a 'walking school bus' and vitality makeover (November 1, 2011)
For Halloween, the Duke and Duchess of LEED (October 31, 2011)
The haunting disappearance of Pine Point, pop. 1200 (October 31, 2011)
The amazing resurgence of the South Bronx (October 28, 2011)
New data confirm European transportation habits are much greener than those in US cities (October 27, 2011)
Geography of housing recovery favors cities and walkable neighborhoods (October 26, 2011)
Architecture matters, still (October 25, 2011)
Two wheels good for the planet: Climate Ride (October 24, 2011)
Urban habitat demo takes shape in Buffalo (October 21, 2011)
Cleveland cooperative delivers on green jobs (October 20, 2011)
Is 'gentrification' always bad for revitalizing neighborhoods? (October 19, 2011)
Will EPA's guidelines help communities build walkable schools? (October 18, 2011)
The colors of a city evening (October 17, 2011)
Video: an ordinary day in the city, graphically analyzed (October 14, 2011)
The spectacular 'green way' to build affordable housing (October 13, 2011)
The silence of the trams (October 12, 2011)
How green infrastructure is making cities more sustainable & hospitable (October 11, 2011)
Animating the street with astonishing music (October 10, 2011)
A musical & visual homage to one of our greatest city parks (October 7, 2011)
How a California city is cleaning up, building green, & protecting residents from pollution (October 6, 2011)
Supreme Court allows pollution fees on sprawl to continue (October 5, 2011)
Building resilient cities and towns with fiscal conservatism (October 4, 2011)
Do you live in an "eco neighborhood"? This organization wants to know (October 3, 2011)
Connected streets matter, or why Rachel still fears German Shepherds (September 30, 2011)
'Urbanized' the movie - looks promising (September 29, 2011)
Imagining cities as a kid growing up in the Bible Belt (September 28, 2011)
Guest post: 'Meeting of the Minds' for resilient cities (September 27, 2011)
Sustainable communities must embrace the familiar (September 26, 2011)
Green "living walls" come indoors - including at NRDC (September 23, 2011)
A spectacular green neighborhood is brewing in Milwaukee (September 22, 2011)
How cleanup and redevelopment of city brownfields reduces pollution (September 21, 2011)
Signs of life in downtown Detroit (September 20, 2011)
How a small community is becoming greener - with help from some important friends(September 19, 2011)
Philadelphia plan aims high for vitality, resilience (September 16, 2011)
Smart growth investment may be key to small cities' economic vitality (September 15, 2011)
How the hell did we let this happen? Cleveland, then and now (September 14, 2011)
Moving off welfare by rehabbing vacant properties for homes, job skills (September 13, 2011)
The legacy of 9/11 for community & the built environment (September 12, 2011)
Let's play Urbanology! (September 9, 2011)
Turning polluting power plants into green neighborhood development (September 8, 2011)
Maryland gives smart growth another push (September 7, 2011)
What's in a name? Meet the Town Center that is neither. (September 6, 2011)
A fresh take on texting while driving, which you shouldn't (September 2, 2011)
How garage & basement apartments help people, neighborhoods and the environment (August 31, 2011)
10 emerging city neighborhoods (August 29, 2011)
"The most sustainable trip is the one you never had to take in the first place" (August 26, 2011)
Is this the world's greenest neighborhood? (August 24, 2011)
The popsicle test, the Halloween test, and neighborhoods for kids (August 22, 2011)
Walking is good for us. So why isn't it safer? (August 19, 2011)
New data show how transit corridors reduce traffic, increase walking (August 17, 2011)
Implementing sustainable practices on key urban issues (August 15, 2011)
The importance of regional planning that matters (August 12, 2011)
Barbie gets a green roof (August 11, 2011)
Urban revitalization is green. Let's make it greener, greater, and more inclusive.(August 10, 2011)
Seeing cities as the environmental solution, not the problem (August 9, 2011)
Recycled land and shipping containers make a lively city market (August 8, 2011)
New survey shows Americans think they are great drivers. But . . . (August 5, 2011)
The 'not so big' neighborhood (August 4, 2011)
The 'socialist developer' who is saving Mount Morris, NY (August 3, 2011)
A powerful statement in the form of urban folk art: Detroit's amazing Heidelberg Project (August 2, 2011)
New data on walkable neighborhoods, cities (August 1, 2011)
'Net zero' living with a green home in a walkable, historic neighborhood (July 29, 2011)
The role of the arts in thriving communities (July 28, 2011)
A beginning agenda for making smart growth legal (July 27, 2011)
The country's most ambitious smart growth project shows some progress, much remaining potential (July 26, 2011)
The economic importance of metro regions (July 25, 2011)
Video week: the conservation imperative for smart growth (July 22, 2011)
Video week: Jane Jacobs on neighborhoods, placemaking & active living (July 21, 2011)
Video week: a curator's look at a great city neighborhood (July 20, 2011)
Video week: does US-style planning and smart growth work elsewhere? (July 19, 2011)
Video week: a tribute to Buffalo (July 18, 2011)
So, if climate change were a hoax (which it isn't), then what? (July 15, 2011)
The original 'High Line': la Promenade Plantée in Paris (July 14, 2011)
NFL & LISC assist community sports facilities with grant program (July 13, 2011)
The importance of place to sustainability (July 12, 2011)
"Katrina Cottages" find post-Katrina uses as affordable housing, educational facilities, offices, & more (July 11, 2011)
City crime continues to drop, especially where diversity is strong (July 8, 2011)
'Green cities' in the US and Canada, kind of (conclusion: CO2, energy, waste, buildings, air, water, governance) (July 7, 2011)
'Green cities' in the US and Canada, kind of (part 1: overall, land use, and transportation evaluations) (July 5, 2011)
Song for the day (July 4, 2011)
A sign that walkers and cyclists need more respect (July 1, 2011)
The books I keep close at hand (June 30, 2011)
What does 'the pursuit of happiness' mean for communities? (June 29, 2011)
If the world's population all lived in one city, how big would it be? (June 28, 2011)
Car costs may hinder the ability of households to save (June 27, 2011)
How sprawl is like Bernie Madoff (June 24, 2011)
Re-calibrating green building certification in two cartoons (June 23, 2011)
5 provocative ways to think about cities & neighborhoods (June 22, 2011)
Why is Apple turning its back on the community? (June 21, 2011)
Great green uses for wasted infrastructure (June 20, 2011)
This once-distressed Philly neighborhood wants to be the city's greenest (June 17, 2011)
The greenest (historic) building is the one that's in the right context (June 16, 2011)
NYC's celebrated High Line park is crime-free, and the city's urbanism is a reason why (June 15, 2011)
Whisky = Power in Scotland. Really. (June 14, 2011)
Can this dead suburban mall be transformed into something better? It's complicated. (June 13, 2011)
A growth plan that means something (in Seattle) (June 10, 2011)
Which part of Detroit, if any, really needs "right-sizing"? (June 9, 2011)
What does community mean to you? (June 7, 2011)
Outstanding urbanism, transit, & state-of-the-art green infrastructure, beautifully mixed (June 6, 2011)
"Your commute is killing you" (June 3, 2011)
How smart growth reduces emissions (June 2, 2011)
Do-It-Yourself streets & neighborhood makeover in London (June 1, 2011)
Is it over for suburban corporate campuses? (May 31, 2011)
Memorial Day, considered (May 30, 2011)
Awesome little video on the case for smart growth (May 27, 2011)
City crime drops to lowest rate in 40 years - partly because of revitalization? (May 26, 2011)
Knowing when it's green: A Citizen's Guide to (LEED for) Neighborhood Development (May 25, 2011)
The world's busiest pedestrian crossing? (May 24, 2011)
Warning: transit data may not mean what you think they mean (May 23, 2011)
Striking images of the illuminated city (May 20, 2011)
The man who thinks Manhattan isn't dense enough (May 19, 2011)
Animating Dallas: "I feel like I'm in Austin" (May 18, 2011)
Free webcast on funding green city infrastructure & retrofits (May 17, 2011)
Interested in sustainable buildings and places? There's an app for that (May 16, 2011)
New Orleanians, rebuilding with sustainability (NOLA resilience Part 3) (May 13, 2011)
Strengthening community through interactive street art (NOLA resilience part 2) (May 12, 2011)
What does post-Katrina New Orleans say about cities? About America? (NOLA resilience part 1) (May 11, 2011)
A living wall in London (May 10, 2011)
Coming to America: immigration and sustainable communities (May 9, 2011)
Will this historic downtown recover? (photoessay) (May 6, 2011)
The greening of DC's LeDroit Park neighborhood (featuring a Baptist church, a farm, & HRH The Prince of Wales) (May 5, 2011)
11 US cities honored as "walk-friendly": Seattle ranks first (May 4, 2011)
50 ideas for better cities (May 3, 2011)
Housing preference analysis: we have too much large-lot housing, too little urban housing to meet demand (May 2, 2011)
How Melbourne sets an example for urban livability (April 29, 2011)
Parks for people, and people for parks (April 28, 2011)
Complete streets policies are gaining popularity across the country (April 27, 2011)
The rousing success of DC's Capital Bikeshare (April 26, 2011)
The collapse of the "key assumptions" of sprawl (April 25, 2011)
For Earth Day: the majesty of the northern lights (April 22, 2011)
Resource: making cities "livable and lovable" (April 21, 2011)
DC charity develops large rooftop garden to serve the city (April 20, 2011)
A dog's-eye view of what makes a walkable neighborhood (April 19, 2011)
EPA Region 7: "We were just kidding about that sustainability stuff" (April 18, 2011)
Celebrating the vernal city (photo essay) (April 15, 2011)
A fresh take on intersection crossings for people (April 14, 2011)
Industry analysis says future is brighter for urban retail than for suburban (April 13, 2011)
Connecting neurons and neighborhoods: kids' health and urban planning (April 12, 2011)
2011 Eco-Everest expedition begins, with a mission (April 11, 2011)
Smart growth requires more than transportation thinking (April 8, 2011)
Industry study: Americans want smart growth (April 7, 2011)
Helsinki goes underground to save space, emissions (April 6, 2011)
New retail model promotes community equity (April 5, 2011)
Emory University's impressive commitment to sustainability (April 4, 2011)
In surprise move, House leaders propose national land use legislation (April 1, 2011)
Freeways without futures (March 31, 2011)
Interactive map shows where Americans are moving (March 30, 2011)
Understanding urbanism, from a Christian theologian (March 29, 2011)
'Neighborhoods Go Green!' in highly educational exhibit at AIA (March 28, 2011)
Terrific video on high-speed rail in the Northeast (March 25, 2011)
Warning: black helicopters on the horizon (or so they say) (March 23, 2011)
Forget plastics - think water (March 22, 2011)
A neighborhood tour of green infrastructure to control runoff (March 22, 2011)
The promising urban renaissance of Cherokee Street, St. Louis (March 21, 2011)
The link between thriving towns and a sustainable rural landscape (March 18, 2011)
A sustainable community in County Galway (March 17, 2011)
How parks can help revitalize distressed neighborhoods (March 16, 2011)
Upcoming free webinar on water supply & quality issues (March 15, 2011)
Sign language run amok (March 15, 2011)
March Madness for urbanists! (March 14, 2011)
New, comprehensive database launches to help improve energy efficiency of buildings (March 11, 2011)
These guys are 'mad' about trains (March 10, 2011)
A trip to Sustainaville (March 9, 2011)
EPA invites communities to apply for awards for active aging and smart growth strategies (March 8, 2011)
Assembling the green facts to support preservation (March 7, 2011)
A developer's video tour of a smart, green neighborhood (March 4, 2011)
Is there a downside to "intelligent cities" or "smart cities"? (March 3, 2011)
Transit-based industrial development (March 2, 2011)
Simple ideas for healthy, livable cities (March 1, 2011)
Solving sprawl with basketball (reprise) (February 28, 2011)
Study identifies 15 US metro regions as leaders in transportation innovation & performance (February 25, 2011)
Households in transit-oriented locations save more energy and emissions than even 'green' households in sprawl (February 24, 2011)
The value and practice of smart growth endorsement (February 22, 2011)
The wonderful world of neighborhood associations: this one will surprise you (February 21, 2011)
The remarkable story of Oakland's Fruitvale Transit Village (conclusion) (February 18, 2011)
The remarkable story of Oakland's Fruitvale Transit Village (part 1) (February 17, 2011)
Extraordinary images of ordinary community places (February 16, 2011)
Kaidslist: the trendy Ins and Outs of smart growth & sustainability (February 15, 2011)
What do the world's most romantic cities have in common? (reprise) (February 14, 2011)
Key ingredients for a successful "social town center" (February 11, 2011)
Ambitious, revitalizing arts district goes green in Syracuse (February 9, 2011)
It's in the data: sprawl begets more sprawl (February 7, 2011)
EPA announces "building blocks" for sustainability planning (February 4, 2011)
See innovative proposals for the Minneapolis waterfront (February 3, 2011)
Residents of award-winning, transit-oriented development say no to transit (February 2, 2011)
Personal income stats: older cities in the East & Midwest are rebounding (February 1, 2011)
Libraries as green community and neighborhood anchors (January 31, 2011)
Accommodating the multiple purposes of streets (video) (January 28, 2011)
An icon of local farming disappears: "Tearing Down Rosebank Farms" (January 27, 2011)
Calvert Investments: Production homebuilders don't bother much with smart growth (January 26, 2011)
How to strengthen a town with prudent investment and common sense (January 25, 2011)
5 ways that local groups and citizens can use LEED-ND (January 24, 2011)
The importance of walkable destinations in an emergency (January 21, 2011)
Could El Paso become a model of thoughtful smart growth planning? (January 20, 2011)
"Growing Wealthier" report shows how smart growth can enhance prosperity (January 19, 2011)
A salute to one of the good guys in public health, Andy Dannenberg (January 18, 2011)
Community memorials to Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr. (photo essay) (January 17, 2011)
20 questions to guide the delivery of a great neighborhood (January 14, 2011)
How much urbanism is enough? (January 13, 2011)
Sustainable Oakland (January 12, 2011)
10 steps to a "slow home" for more sustainable living (January 11, 2011)
A pedestrian braves the challenges of sprawl (January 10, 2011)
NRDC launches new environmental website for the New York City region (January 7, 2011)
The messy issue of design in smart growth (January 6, 2011)
The case for restoration of communities and nature, presented with eloquence (video) (January 5, 2011)
Older homes are holding their value far better than newer ones (January 4, 2011)
Can communities foster wellness of body, mind and spirit? (January 3, 2011)