Hi! Hoping to get some advice:

I’m pursuing a career in urban planning and at the end of the year I will be applying to a master’s program. Im eager to get the ball rolling on my career.

That said, right now I’m in childcare and would like to switch to something a little bit more relevant. I have an opportunity to be an admin assistant for a construction/design firm that remodels houses and such.

My hunch is that this company has to work with planners for the permitting process. Is there any knowledge I could gain from working at a spot like this? Would this look a little better on my resume once I get into planning?

Thanks so much!

Hi! I am interested in placemaking, pedestrian + cyclist safety, sustainable mobility, and equity-focused public space design, and I am trying to find entry-level opportunities in one of these realms. I'm wondering if anyone here has any advice? I have a bachelor's degree in public health and planning to go back and get a masters in city planning but I wanted to get some work experience first. I spent the last year abroad teaching English and I worked as a research assistant all throughout undergrad, so I don't have the technical urban planning knowledge, though a lot of the skillsets translate.

​

Can anyone suggest good places to try to get my start in urban design/planning if I don't have a master's and I'm kind of just looking to get some experience? I am hoping to find a job in nyc...thanks to all who read this <3

Can someone please suggest me something to cool down my studio room during the hot summer.

There’s just the rooftop above my room with direct sunlight falling on it.

Some suggestions I have come across :-

Put 6 inches of mud on the concrete floor and grow grass on top of it. Water it daily [The cheapest way].

Get a layer of bricks (with concrete between them) laid on this rooftop [This would burn an index-finger-size hole in my pocket though].

Get some potted plants and place them on the rooftop. Water them daily [This would be moderately expensive for me].

Totally welcome to more suggestions though. I barely have cash, so prioritising financial costs here.

I spent part of the day in Carlsbad, it's a beautiful area with its beachfront. I noticed plenty of cycling and people walking around. Made me wonder if anyone has better ideas on how serious they are about reducing car use there.

Is the San Diego area just doomed to be a car sewer forever, or do I need to update my understanding on parts of So Cal?

Hey there! I'm currently taking Urban Planning for my Masters Degree in my country. I'm interested in Public Open space and how it impacts the lives of people in general. However, while studying POS, I faced challenges like looking for data on where the UN's 9 sqm of Urban Green Space or POS per person came from. In some cases, I looked around some countries's advocacy like Singapore's Key sustainability target wherein they would like to provide 8 sqm of POS per person. Can somebody enlighten me on how to know the required POS for each city or country? or it is a subjective process of allocation?

My town has a very dangerous intersection that has been flagged for redesign recently and the original proposal was to put in a traffic light.

37.4540047, -122.1628819 https://maps.app.goo.gl/rtQ7L5g6QKBowBxT6

My thoughts are that a traffic light here would be overly complicated and expensive and a roundabout would work perfectly, but I'm not a transportation engineer so maybe there are reasons I'm wrong.

Can you help me figure out if a roundabout would be appropriate here and what the reasonable objections might be? Note that this street narrows from 2 lanes down to 1 in both directions shortly after this intersection so eliminating those extra lanes might be an option.

Things I'm considering are:

• Is there enough total space?
• Where should crosswalks go? Ideally set back from the roundabout, but I'm worried about the blind corner on the north side of the intersection
• How would you handle bike lanes with the roundabout? Have them cross at crosswalks? Merge into the car lane? Have a separate circle outside of the cars?
• This intersection gets backed up during commuting hours due to a traffic light a block down. Is that a deal-breaker with a roundabout? I've read that they might not be as useful if traffic gets too high because there might not be gaps to enter and cause gridlock.
• Anything else I'm missing?

Edit: forgot to add this context but the street to the south of the intersection is closed off to vehicular traffic so it's only a 3-way-intersection.

Currently a freshman art major looking to switch and considering doing a 5 year Sociology BA + Urban Strategy MS. Id also have to complete two co-ops to graduate (Im at Drexel University), and everything ive heard from students in the department is that its a fairly solid program. I was just wondering if this combination of degrees could hopefully get me a job in urban planning, and if anyone knew Drexels reputation in this field. Thanks!

I am not a professional urban planner, but would like to know what to expect from my city planners.

I see that most of the urbanism content is focused on walkability and public transport, which is mostly relevant to an environment where you would enjoy staying outside for long periods.

I live in a desert city with temps higher that 30C for most part of the year in shade, so walking around more than 5 minutes is not the first choice even if the distance is short. People prefer spending time moving around and socializing in closed air conditioned spaces.

I see the city doing a lot of investment following the approach that is considered best practice in the urbanism community - building parks, wide sidewalks for walkability, converting car lanes to bike lanes, but it feels to me this investment in misplaced, since I don't want to ride on a bike or sit on a lawn in 30C-40C heat.

I wonder are there any popular resources that are dedicated to the hot climate urbanism.

I've seen some resources but they are not very approachable, and have mostly basic advice - in short, do "harm reduction" using less water and more shade.

I wonder if there is some vision of making cities in hot climates actually enjoyable, and not "a nice European city but not pleasant because hot".

EDIT: what I am interested in is approaches of optimal living in hot like "desert scorching sun weekly duststorms" hot environment, less of "used to be nice but now too warm" hot environment.

In future cities, streets will be covered by glass walls, accessible only to AI-driven cars. Traffic lights and speed signs will become unnecessary, as all vehicles will be fully automated. Pedestrians will access designated entry points through soundproofed glass domes, leading to elevators to upper levels where walkable communities exist. Designated spots will be provided for large public buses to elevate directly to the second floor, eliminating the need for passengers to use elevators (similarly for police cars and emergency vehicles, if nearby they can utilize the metro). A metro system will interconnect these communities, facilitating travel between different areas. High-speed rail networks will extend beyond city limits, providing interstate transportation. Additionally, some cities may opt for streetcars instead of metros, and long flat escalators akin to those in airports could transfer people to the nearest metro stop. Pedestrians can use bridges across roads or access ground floor parks. Meanwhile, AI-controlled highways will be situated underground, offering multiple transportation options. In rural areas, suburbs, and national parks, only underground highways will exist, with road-rise elevators allowing vehicles to ascend vertically. Every suburb will have a metro station nearby within a 5-15 minute walking distance. All ground level operations will be machine and AI-controlled, while elevated public spaces will be available under sunlight for humanity enjoyment.

Notice this: Cars, humans, and the metro each have their own designated paths, ensuring they don't intersect. Cars will travel on ground level within long glass tunnels, with highways situated underground. The metro has its own dedicated track that doesn't cross any bridges or pathways, and it will be fenced throughout its route, except for passengers waiting at stations. Humans will walk on the platform, occasionally dodging cyclists. With this design, collisions between trains and trucks are prevented, and people are safeguarded from harm by cars.

Notice this: The depiction of the metro in this image is incorrect. The metro will have its own elevated trackway, fully fenced off to ensure it does not intersect with pedestrian walkways or bridges.

https://preview.redd.it/50ecndt5a6sc1.jpg?width=4200&format=pjpg&auto=webp&s=c6a5de309cc475a7fa4028228303ae19d880d8fd

This is just the start: Morristown Main Street Historic District, Tennessee.

I know. Very specific question, but I do need the answer.

What do they prioritize? How do they start to build them and what kind of regulations do they usually have in place? I've heard that contractors just buy older, single family houses, just to demolish them and build apartment complexes, with the government not being able to control the architectural style and stuff.

Also why the hell are they filled with one way roads

what are some cities with similar comprehensive plans? or a city whose plan was adapted off another city?

In future cities, streets will be covered by glass walls, accessible only to AI-driven cars. Traffic lights and speed signs will become unnecessary, as all vehicles will be fully automated. Pedestrians will access designated entry points through soundproofed glass domes, leading to elevators to upper levels where walkable communities exist. Designated spots will be provided for large public buses to elevate directly to the second floor, eliminating the need for passengers to use elevators (similarly for police cars and emergency vehicles, if nearby they can utilize the metro). A metro system will interconnect these communities, facilitating travel between different areas. High-speed rail networks will extend beyond city limits, providing interstate transportation. Additionally, some cities may opt for streetcars instead of metros, and long flat escalators akin to those in airports could transfer people to the nearest metro stop. Pedestrians can use bridges across roads or access ground floor parks. Meanwhile, AI-controlled highways will be situated underground, offering multiple transportation options. In rural areas, suburbs, and national parks, only underground highways will exist, with road-rise elevators allowing vehicles to ascend vertically. Every suburb will have a metro station nearby within a 5-15 minute walking distance. All ground level operations will be machine and AI-controlled, while elevated public spaces will be available under sunlight for humanity enjoyment.

Notice this: Cars, humans, and the metro each have their own designated paths, ensuring they don't intersect. Cars will travel on ground level within long glass tunnels, with highways situated underground. The metro has its own dedicated track that doesn't cross any bridges or pathways, and it will be fenced throughout its route, except for passengers waiting at stations. Humans will walk on the platform, occasionally dodging cyclists. With this design, collisions between trains and trucks are prevented, and people are safeguarded from harm by cars.

Edit: I thought I tag it in Urban futur design.

https://preview.redd.it/fl70ci6bwzrc1.jpg?width=1024&format=pjpg&auto=webp&s=245d0a7e2c9c9deee234373952fec917d0ac6330

https://preview.redd.it/8w4kwanoyprc1.jpg?width=1024&format=pjpg&auto=webp&s=30d6b164be44c465dec7360bdbd0d1a89f229b0d

https://preview.redd.it/8txeewqq9trc1.jpg?width=640&format=pjpg&auto=webp&s=914792069358e7a0b612f5c6facaefad6d68682a

Metro Vancouver has one of the tightest industrial markets in North America with a vacancy rate of just under 2%. As a result there seems to be an emerging trend of incorporating industrial space into new mixed used developments near the inner city. Usually this just means office space stacked on top of industrial but more and more these developments are following good urbanism principles and include underground parking, street facing retail, separated bike lanes and even residential space.

Focal On 3rd

Focal on 3rd is a new 8-storey building located in Mount Pleasant. The project responds to new mixed-use zoning that retains light industrial spaces at grade and allows for new office uses. The building has a prominent location in the neighbourhood marking the intersection of East 3rd and Quebec, and is highly visible from 2nd Avenue, due to a public open space across the lane. The façade grid of terra cotta panels set into a unitized curtain-wall system emphasizes the vertically of the building and obscures the regimented stepped back form imposed by zoning regulations. The natural terra cotta panels also pay homage to a neighbouring heritage building, while expressing an contemporary aesthetic and building technology.

https://preview.redd.it/btbzntlxporc1.jpg?width=630&format=pjpg&auto=webp&s=1dfa50b9084d6fa99fb3534f188696e740b3748d

Stratchcona Village

70 units of non-market housing, 280 units of market housing and 64,000 SF of light industrial and commercial retail space.

https://preview.redd.it/5sytjouirorc1.jpg?width=2000&format=pjpg&auto=webp&s=4aadbf3120c3412acd37d10126a7ff46fcc158de

Archetype

This dynamic mixed-used building is anchored on the east and west by two mid-rise towers bridged by an 8-storey residential building, and unified by creative industrial spaces that wrap around the entire development. With a bold approach and unique identity, Archetype is bringing a new model to Vancouver.

https://preview.redd.it/9e21rfuptorc1.jpg?width=1920&format=pjpg&auto=webp&s=f4438960f00930eaf7fe4d4a871ec2fd856ccd37

https://preview.redd.it/pwp2oy5jtorc1.jpg?width=3000&format=pjpg&auto=webp&s=0cf380a5e0d43460a01fbc96ae4cb6213d6d2361

Marine Landing

Marine Landing provides size levels of industrial and office space to South Vancouver in a twinned building arrangement. This project balances the needs of employees and organization by providing amenities like a rooftop patio, flex spaces and cycling facilities along with oversized elevators, extra-wide corridors, at-grade ramps, loading bays, and a variety of parking stalls with EV charging areas.

https://preview.redd.it/wfzqybthvorc1.jpg?width=632&format=pjpg&auto=webp&s=1a8e8b7b8246b2a9986dee9031a247b6d16db543

https://preview.redd.it/b01zl60pvorc1.jpg?width=777&format=pjpg&auto=webp&s=933ea4e479d4cf3b4fd9e4a6a5062d926cefec86

Three Sixty

At the intersection of forward-thinking design and sustainability you will find Three Sixty, a progressive vision by Strand, offering office and creative industrial spaces, that reconsiders how and where we work, both now and in the future. Three Sixty in redefining the workplace experience.

https://preview.redd.it/wzet5oog4prc1.jpg?width=1906&format=pjpg&auto=webp&s=c1dc656355f847876bb531faa865a7afb1ea14d6

I was just watching a video of someone driving through Chongqing China, and it has dense tree canopies that cover most of the city in shade. I was really impressed and it made me wonder - is there anywhere in North America with streets that look like this? I don’t mean a few small trees dotted along but thick, consistent tree cover that covers entire blocks in shade.

Hi everyone, I am new to this group so sorry if the post is off topic. I also apologise for any typo (non-native here)

For context, I am a portuguese landscape architect but I haven't been working in urban design for several years, nor any architect activity (I am a strategic climate adaptation consultant).

I am very interested though in improving my civic activity and pushing for better urban solutions through design and planning in my city (Vila Nova de Gaia). It happens that, in Portugal, active civic activity is very low and difficult to stimulate (neighbours aren't very co-operative towards pressing decision makers). This is particular true for urban quality topics, with little to none local or national ngos in the topic.

I would like to use my (almost forgotten) skills but I am lacking ideas on success strategies/solutions. Would like to get inspired by some success stories that I could related, if you have some!

Thanks in advance!

I live in Germany and zebra crossings have a very specific meaning. Zebra crossings are always where pedestrians have right of way and cars are required to yield. Signalized crossings or other crossings where pedestrians have to yield to motor traffic always have a thin dotted line. In my mind, this ensures that confusion never arises on who has to yield to whom. However, I have noticed that a lot of countries will put zebra crossings all over the place, including signalized intersections. I have even seen this quite often in the Netherlands, which probably has the most developed and extensive system of road markings. Sometimes I see intersections where they use both dotted lines and zebra markings on the same signalized intersection.

Why does the Netherlands do this? Does this not create ambiguity in the meaning of a zebra crossing?

Hey /r/urbandesign

I'm interested in urban design, placemaking, and urban planning. For context, I'm in Canada (BC!). I've been a lurker on this sub for a bit so I have a rough understanding of the differences between planning and urban design. That said, I always like to triple check things before making a decision, so I'd love some clarification/extra thoughts!

I'm coming from a background in media production (Bachelor of Music). I've always had a lifelong interest in urban design and planning. The last time I looked at this as a field was in high school; I wrote off looking into this area because my math wasn't too stellar. Since then, I've explored some masters programs and bridging pathway programs and now it doesn't seem so far off to me!

One key thing that I considered when shifting into designing the public realm, my training and experience in sound made me consider how sound is experienced in our everyday life. Not just acoustic abosrption, controlling loudness, and such, but also how the soundscape of a city could enhance or enrich our daily lives. Things like creating more greenspace so the sound of vegitation (and the resulting wildlife that could visit a greenspace) compliments the natural effects of adding parks to our communities. That's just one example of course!

Would this kind of design fall under landscape architecture, urban design, or regular architecture? I know that planning is a bit more "big picture" so it may not have an active hand in facilitating this per se. I'm also kind of aware that "urban design" is hard to tamp down, but I would love to learn more. If I had to narrow down what kind of interests me about urban design? I'd say master plans, comprehensive/community plans, public gathering spaces, streetscapes, and placemaking (maybe not quite urban design but figured I'd include it).

A program I'm going into is a GIS and Urban Planning program here in Canada (accredited by the Candian Association of Certified Planning Technicians) . It's very technical and leads to a career as a planning technician (and from what I was told isn't that difficult to shift to design technician). I figured the technical building blocks would be a firm foundation for moving forward in this field (but it also has a pathway to TMU for the CIP accredited program).

All that being said, should I try and consider a landscape architecture program instead? Are there firms/organisations where planners could drift towards urban design? Or is it easier for a LA to shift to urban design than a planner?

Thanks for your time! If you made it this far, I really appreciate it and would love to hear your thoughts.