Category Archives: AI

The Dos and Don’ts of Using AI in Community Engagement for Urban Planners

AI can help planners make sense of lots of community input and hear from those who don’t usually show up. But it shouldn’t replace real conversations. Be upfront about how stakeholders’ input is used and ensure the process remains fair. In short, AI can be super helpful, but only if planners use it thoughtfully. Continue reading

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When “Neutrality” Becomes Blindness: The Perils of Censoring Race, Class, and Gender Data in Urban Planning

Political pushback against DEI is igniting right at the moment that AI is rising in urban planning. If we don’t fight it, the results could be catastrophic. See my Planetizen column here.

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Will Urban Planners Lose Their Jobs to AI?

AI can already draft policy briefs, summarize reports, and even sketch out scenarios, work that once performed by interns and junior planners. Continue reading

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CALL FOR CHAPTER PROPOSALS

CALL FOR CHAPTER PROPOSALS
Proposal Submission Deadline: July 31, 2025, The Handbook of AI and Urban Planning, edited by Thomas W. Sanchez (Texas A&M) Continue reading

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The Ethical Concerns of Artificial Intelligence in Urban Planning

See our new open access article in the Journal of the American Planning Association on the ethics of AI in planning. Co-authors Marc Brenman, Xinyue Ye, and I welcome your comments. https://www.tandfonline.com/doi/full/10.1080/01944363.2024.2355305

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Planning With Artificial Intelligence

PAS REPORT 604 Artificial intelligence is a potentially transformative tool for the planning profession. This PAS Report introduces the knowledge and skills planners need to use appropriate AI methods in the service of creating more livable, resilient, and sustainable communities. … Continue reading

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New Whitepaper from the APA AI Foresight Group

As stated in the American Planning Association’s 2022 Trend Report for Planners2022 Planners, over centuries, professions have evolved with changing environments, shifting eras, new challenges, societal shifts, and technological innovations. While some professions have become obsolete or or were replaced by technology, others have adapted or readjusted and stayed relevant in an ever-changing world. What is different today is the pace of change, which requires faster, even proactive, adjustments—including new tools, processes, and skills. Continue reading

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The Prospects for AI in Urban Planning

Over the past year, we have been working along with the American Planning Association (APA) on the topic(s) of AI for urban planning. Here are a few items that are related to that work – with more on the way. … Continue reading

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Artificial Intelligence in Urban Planning

#AI #planning Continue reading

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