Only one US city makes the Happy City Index top 50 The list is topped by Copenhagen, Helsinki, and Geneva.

www.planetizen.com/news/2026/04...

“Gas prices? What gas prices?” better cities create choices. Via the Urban Truth Collecrive Image of people riding bikes in a protected bike-lane in Paris

“We could never do THAT in OUR city!” Leadership doesn’t make excuses. Via the Urban Truth Collective Image of people walking on a wonderful pedestrianized street in central Montreal

NEW: “Our ultimate goal is better decision-making about cities, so we want to influence decision-makers. But to do that, we have to reach & influence everyone.” READ & SHARE our new @urbantruth.bsky.social initiative profiled in @momentummag.bsky.social! #UrbanTruth momentummag.com/urban-truth-...

See designs to cap I-77 with parks and development. See designs to cap I-77 with parks and development.

www.axios.com/local/charlo...

I’m pleased to share that I’ve joined the Board of Project for Public Spaces.

I look forward to contributing to the organization’s mission to create vibrant, people-centered public spaces for all. You can learn more about the organization by visiting www.pps.org.

Greening school playgrounds can improve quality of life in cities and help deal with climate change Adapting urban spaces to tackle climate change through nature-based solutions, especially in school playgrounds and environments, benefits both children and society as a whole. This is one of the main...

Greening school playgrounds can improve quality of life in cities and help deal with climate change

flip.it/J69sfQ

Designing Streets Through the Lens of Care Interview with Eduarda Aun, from GDCI. Rethink urban design: and prioritize children's needs to create vibrant, inclusive streets.

Designing Streets Through the Lens of Care

flip.it/-ugPGw

6 Streets Getting Pedestrian Makeovers in 2026 These U.S. cities are reducing or removing car traffic to make major streets more people-friendly.

6 Streets Getting Pedestrian Makeovers in 2026 www.planetizen.com/news/2026/01...

NYC’s Prospect Park is Getting a $68 Million ‘Bluebelt’ The city plans to upgrade the park’s drainage infrastructure to channel more stormwater into its lake and other drainage ponds and reduce flooding risk.

NYC’s Prospect Park is Getting a $68 Million ‘Bluebelt’
#parks

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Utah Unveils 'Ambitious' 3,100-mile Bike Network The complete network would put a paved bike trail within one mile of 95% of Utah residents.

Utah unveils ambitious 3,100-mile #bike network.

www.planetizen.com/news/2025/11...

ICYMI, this STARTER PACK is my team-up with celebrated climate scientist @katharinehayhoe.com, and it’s full of people & organizations that specifically embrace the overlap between better cities and climate action! Please follow them, and help spread the pack around! #ClimateAction #UrbanistShoutOut

How the Rise of Delivery Culture is Changing Urban Design Curb management is quickly becoming a key part of urban planning as delivery vans, ride share vehicles, shared mobility devices, transit, and private cars compete for scarce curb space.

Delivery Culture is changing Urban Design #urbandesign
www.planetizen.com/news/2025/11...

Research Finds Urban Parks Connected to Lower Crime, Better Community Health University of Alabama led research suggests a new understanding of how urban parks are connected to community health.

Urban Parks Lower Crime and Improve Community Health. #parks @cityparksalliance.bsky.social @nrpa.org

news.ua.edu/2025/10/urba...

In Missouri, Oklahoma, Colorado and Beyond, a Surprising new Housing Model is Making Gentrification Pay Back Each Mixed-Income Neighborhood Trust focuses on preventing displacement and capturing the benefits of rising property values for neighborhood residents.

In Missouri, Oklahoma, Colorado and Beyond, a Surprising new Housing Model is Making #Gentrification Pay Back www.planetizen.com/news/2025/10...

Correction. I don't think the session was recorded. I shared the link to Civic Commons.

Reimagining the Civic Commons Reimagining the Civic Commons is a national initiative to foster engagement, equity, and environmental and economic sustainability through public space.

I don't there is a link, but you should follow Reimagining the Civic Commons. They do amazing work. civiccommons.us

The Slow Death of the New York City Public Bench

Parks and public spaces are our outdoor living rooms and we need more benches, not less.

www.nytimes.com/2025/10/18/n...

11 Beautiful, Flourishing Downtowns Brought Back To Life After Being Ruined By Freeways - Islands Cities like Boston, Seoul, and Paris have torn down freeways, which revitalized neighborhoods and led to economic growth, lower crime, and better health.

11 Beautiful, Flourishing Downtowns Brought Back To Life After Being Ruined By Freeways

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Enjoyed my time at @civiccommonsus.bsky.social in #Cincinnati for Civic Commons Studio #10. Local Power, Lasting Impcact. I had the privilege moderating a Q&A with Mayor Atfab Pureval. Impressive leader. Photo credit - Jason Su.

Raleigh Urban Growth: Power of 10 Shaping the City A look at how Raleigh’s placemaking strategy transforms people-centered urban growth centers into vibrant destinations through 2050.

#Raleigh and the Power of 10 Shaping the City. raleighmag.com/2025/09/powe...

@ppsplacemaking.bsky.social #placemaking #RaleighMagazine

Urbanists OUTSIDE North America Worth Following! Join the conversation

NEW STARTER PACK! This time I’m hoping to encourage and support global urbanists from OUTSIDE North America here on Bluesky, so hopefully this will help! Who’ve I missed? Just joined? Let me know! I’ll keep updating, so please keep checking & sharing this pack! And let’s try using #GlobalUrbanists.

Looking forward to be a panelist for the closing session at the Joint North and South Carolina Planning Conference in Charlotte. #AmericanPlanningAssociation #planning

Great race for a great cause. Ran my first 5K in 5 years. Sola 5K Run for ALS. Over $150k was raised. Placed 3rd for my age group. Joyful event in honor of the former owner of Sola Coffee who passed away battling ALS. @solacoffee #Raleigh

CANU is in it! Check it out!#UrbanistShoutout

Walking Paths as Everyday Infrastructure Walking paths are simple yet transformative features in parks that promote health, equity, and community connection, proving that small investments can deliver lasting benefits.

Absolutely! "Walking paths as everyday infrastructure."

#Parks #publicspace #publicrealm

www.planetizen.com/news/2025/09...

Gondola ride to Dix Park? Raleigh explores ‘bold’ connection from downtown “Dix Park is a once in a millennium moment. ... If we spend another 20 years connecting it to downtown, that moment is going to be over.”

Exploring new ideas to connect Downtown #Raleigh to Dix Park.
#parks

www.newsobserver.com/news/local/c...

Portland Backs off Plan to Remove Bike Lane Protection After Public Outcry The city planned to remove a series of concrete planters that prevent cars from entering bike lanes despite their popularity with pedestrians and safety advocates.

Portland Backs off Plan to Remove Bike Lane Protection After Public Outcry

www.planetizen.com/news/2025/08...

Bluesky now platform of choice for science community It’s not just you. Survey says: “Twitter sucks now and all the cool kids are moving to Bluesky”…

“Scientists Are Flocking to Bluesky. Academics once loved Twitter—but in the age of X they’ve abandoned it in droves.” Via @wired.com

Urbanists too.

Check out #UrbanistShoutOut.

Richmond is a deal-making city. It’s time to become a plan-making city. (Guest Commentary) - Richmond BizSense Deal-making cities react to opportunities and chase projects. Plan-making cities create a vision, align their departments and partners, and then execute it with discipline.

You never know how your words can inspire others.

richmondbizsense.com/2025/08/29/r...

One-Way Streets Have Worse Crashes, Higher Crime and Lower Property Values — Why do we Still Use Them? How reverting one-way streets to two-way can boost both safety and economic development.

One-Way Streets Have Worse Crashes, Higher Crime and Lower Property Values — Why do we Still Use Them?

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Struggling Downtowns Are Looking to Lure New Crowds Traditional business districts in cities like Chicago and Portland are still waiting for office workers to return. Can younger residents and families fill the gap?

Struggling Downtowns Are Looking to Lure New Crowds

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