Research Guides: Geography/Geology: Urban and Regional Planning

Course Materials

For a list of print books that have been placed on reserve at the Library Services Desk, please see the URP Course Reserves.

For a list of eBooks that are used in Urban and Regional Planning courses, please see URP - Library Ebooks Used in Classes.

Databases

The following databases, in addition to the general Geography and Geology databases, may be useful in identifying relevant material in Urban & Regional Planning research:

Congressional Research Service (CRS) Reports
The Congressional Research Service prepares reports on topics of public interest or that are the focus of proposed legislation.
Access Tips: Also available at Every CRS Report
CQ Researcher
Examines controversial topics reported in the media
Subjects: Current, Newsworthy Issues (Political, Social, Economic, Environmental)
Info type: reports
Data.gov
Searchable, machine readable datasets generated by the Executive Branch of the Federal Government.
Subjects: Government, Public Policy, Statistics
Info Type: datasets and tools Note: Information previously found at Data.gov may be incomplete. Check alternative sources for archived data.
EconLit
Subjects: Economics
Info type: scholarly articles, book info
Brief How-To Video: ProQuest Basics
Historical Abstracts
Subjects: World History (excludes U.S. and Canada)
Info type: scholarly articles, book info
Indexing of historical articles from more than 2,600 journals in over 40 languages; Access to the full text of more than 400 journals and 140 books; Coverage dates as far back as 1954, with some coverage for titles back to the early 20th century
ProQuest One Business
Key source for business articles.
Subjects: Accounting, Auditing, Business, Communications, Economics, Ed Leadership, Entrepreneurship, Finance, Health Admin, Hotel Restaurant Mgmt, Management, Public Admin, Technology
Info type: scholarly articles, professional articles, magazine articles, news, reports, dissertations
Brief Instruction Video: ProQuest Basics

Associations

American Planning Associaton
Formed in 1978, the APA now has 21 divisions and 47 state/regional chapters and serves as "a forum for the exchange of ideas between people who work in the field of urban planning."
American Public Works Association
"The American Public Works Association (APWA) is a nonprofit, professional association of public works agencies, private companies, and individuals dedicated to promoting professional excellence and public awareness through education, advocacy and the exchange of knowledge." (Wikipedia)
Association of Metropolitan Planning Organization
"AMPO is a nonprofit, membership organization established in 1994 to serve the needs and interests of metropolitan planning organizations (MPOs) nationwide."
Association of Pedestrian & Bicycle Professionals
"The Association of Pedestrian and Bicycle Professionals (APBP) is a professional membership organization that promotes excellence in the professional discipline of pedestrian and bicycle transportation. APBP members are employees of all levels of government, consulting firms and non-profits who work in the engineering, planning, landscape architecture, architecture, police, safety, health, promotion and transportation demand management fields and who specialize in making communities more walkable and bicycle-friendly."
Community Development Society
"The Community Development Society (CDS) is a nonprofit corporation established in 1969 to strengthen and advance community development policy, practice, learning, and research through educational and scientific means."
Environmental Design Research Association
"The Environmental Design Research Association (EDRA) is an international, interdisciplinary organization founded in 1968 by design professionals, social scientists, students, educators, and facility managers."
International Downtown Association
"IDA provides tools, intelligence and strategies for creating healthy and dynamic centers that anchor the well-being of towns, cities and regions of the world."
National Association of Development Organizations
"The National Association of Development Organizations (NADO) provides training, information and representation for regional development organizations in small metropolitan and rural America. "
National Association of Housing and Redevelopment Officials
"NAHRO, which was established in 1933, is a membership organization of... housing and community development providers and professionals throughout the United States.... [who] create and manage affordable housing for low- and middle-income families, and support vibrant communities that enhance the quality of life for all."
National Association of Regional Councils
"The National Association of Regional Councils (NARC) serves as the national voice for regions by advocating for regional cooperation as the most effective way to address a variety of community planning and development opportunities and issues."
National Community Development Association
"National Community Development Association (NCDA) is a nonpartisan national nonprofit organization.... at the forefront in securing effective and responsive housing and community development programs for local governments."
National League of Cities
The National League of Cities (NLC) is dedicated to helping city leaders build better communities. Working in partnership with the 49 state municipal leagues, NLC serves as a resource to and an advocate for the more than 19,000 cities, villages and towns it represents.
Planners Network
"Planners Network is the organization of progressive planning. Our members are professionals, activists, academics, and students involved in physical, social, economic, and environmental planning in urban and rural areas. We serve as a voice for social, economic, and environmental justice through planning."
Smart Growth Network
"The Smart Growth Network is a partnership of government, business, and civic organizations that support smart growth. EPA is one of the founding partners of the network. Since its creation in late 1996, the network has become a clearinghouse for information about smart growth strategies. The Smart Growth Network website, Smart Growth Online, features an extensive array of smart growth-related news, events, information, research, presentations, and publications."
Urban Affairs Association
"The Urban Affairs Association (UAA) is the international professional organization for urban scholars, researchers, and public service professionals."
Urban Land Institute
"ULI is the oldest and largest network of cross-disciplinary real estate and land use experts in the world."

Websites

American Disabilities Act Home Page
Law/Regulations, Design Standards, Technical Assistance
Census Data
Your source for population, housing, economic and geographic information.
IPUMS USA
Integrated Public Use Microdata Series census microdata for social and economic research.
Planners Web
News and information for city planners.

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Subjects: Geography & Geology, Languages & Linguistics, Security, Technology, Visual & Built Environments