The Codes Project, developed under the guidance of Prof. Emily Talen at Arizona State University, is an impressive attempt to gather the variety of codes throughout history that have regulated land use into one useful directory. From the Code of Hammurabi to Seaside, Florida's Urban Code, you can download PDFs and compare these landmarks of regulation. You can even complete a "Synoptic Survey" and perform an urban analysis on your own town. An excellent, easy-to-use reference.
Jstor offers a comprehensive collection of journals and other sources with scholarly content. Although it is based on a paid subscription and partnership with institutions and libraries, one can still access full texts of early journal content for free. Some libraries have full access to this source.
The Global City Indicators Facility provides an established set of city indicators with a globally standardized methodology that allows for global comparability of city performance and knowledge sharing. This website serves all cities that become members to measure and report on a core set of indicators through this web-based relational database.
What makes some places succeed while others fail?
In evaluating thousands of public spaces around the world, PPS has found that successful ones have four key qualities: they are accessible; people are engaged in activities there; the space is comfortable and has a good image; and finally, it is a sociable place: one where people meet each other and take people when they come to visit. PPS developed The Place Diagram as a tool to help people in judging any place, good or bad:
Here are some tips for how you can enliven this site
with your inspiration, stories, and projects.This site
is most fundamentally about-city dwellers, urban
entrepreneurs, organizers, dreamers, doers.
