Urban Ecology Links :: Website Typologies :: News + Publications

 

Please note: The site's name, project/organization location, and my comments about each website are located in the left-hand column. Clicking on each corresponding screenshot in the right-hand column will take you to the actual website in a new browser window so you can investigate the site, project or organization yourself.

 

PLANETIZEN This website is an ideal news source for all planning-related endeavors. With a constantly updated RSS feed and the ability to search via geographic location or subject category, Planetizen comes out on top of all the other online news sites. It's also not affiliated with any particular organization or print publication, so it's able to maintain a level of objectivity and breadth that other sites don't match up to. It's also got a great list of links, job postings, blogs and the like.
SUSTAINABLE METROPOLIS This website is an example of an online version of a well-known print magazine within the architecture and design fields. "Sustainable Metropolis" is a link off of the magazine's homepage, and it pulls all green-design related articles from the most recent issue into one place. They've included a good list of (mostly New York City based) resources, both publications and organizations, as well as a collection of older articles under "Case Studies." It seems like this website is in its early stages but has a lot of potential.
CYBURBIA Cyburbia is referenced everywhere but it's comprised primarily of user-based blogs and links to other resources (with not a whole lot of organization or design in mind.) The website seems to have a large following within its Forum section, so perhaps is more suited for questions or debates rather than traditional research.
PLANNERS WEB Another website that is often recommended on other sites, this one struck me as confusing and all over the place. There is clearly a wealth of information on this site – and the Planning Commissioners’ Journal is a well-respected print publication – however it seems that the organization and maintenance of the website is not their highest priority.
TERRAIN.ORG   Terrain bills itself as the “Journal of the Built and Natural Environments” and represents a more creative collection of urban and environmental issues by including poetry, fiction, and art in addition to journalistic articles and essays. In their own words, “The works may be idealistic, technical, historical, philosophical, and more.” Definitely worth perusing.
RADICAL URBAN THEORY   RUT seems to be operated by one individual, Matt Jalbert, who has a passion for urban ecology and land use issues. The site contains a number of articles and essay, often written by well known geographers and planners, reprinted with the permission of their authors or publishers. Jalbert, with a rather minimalist editorial voice, makes interesting connections to other works, projects and writings throughout the website.		(Return to Top) (Return to Website Typologies Outline)