A curated list of awesome urban planning resources, tools, and projects that are open source or free to use.
- Research
- Online Mapping Tools
- Spatial Design and Analysis Software
- Simulations
- Content Design
- Global Data Repositories
- Community
- Contributing
- License
Collection of awesome open source and free tools and resources to use as a urban planner or architect. Feel free to contribute by submitting a PR.
- Australian Government Publications - Offers a directory of government resources, including publications on urban planning, infrastructure, and public policy.
- GOV.uk - United Kingdom Publications - Official website of the UK government.
- India - National Institute of Urban Affairs - Offers publications and reports on urban development, policies, and planning.
- Singapore Government Publications - Provides access to a variety of resources, including publications related to urban planning and development in Singapore.
- Statistics Canada - Provides statistical information on various aspects of Canadian life, including demographics, housing, and urban development.
- UN-Habitat - Focuses on sustainable urban development and provides reports, publications, and resources related to global urban challenges.
- USA.gov - United States Publications - Official web portal of the U.S. government.
- City-Data - Detailed, informative profiles for every city in the United States.
- European Union Open Data Portal - The official portal for European data.
- Google Dataset Search - Search engine for datasets.
- Our World in Data - Our World in Data (OWID) is a scientific online publication that focuses on large global problems.
- UNdata - UNdata is an Internet search engine, retrieving data series from statistical databases.
- U.S. Census - Learn about America's People, Places and Economy.
- U.S. Government's Open Data - Resource for accessing datasets and publications from various U.S. government agencies.
- World Bank Open Data - Provides a listing of available World Bank datasets, including databases, pre-formatted tables, reports, and other resources.
- Cities - The International Journal of Urban Policy and Planning.
- Journal of the American Planning Association (JAPA) - JAPA is a prestigious, peer-reviewed journal that covers a wide range of topics in urban and regional planning.
- Journal of Urban Planning and Development (JUPD) - JUPD is a journal that focuses on the planning and development of urban areas.
- MIT Senseable City Laboratory Database - The MIT Senseable City Laboratory, part of MIT's City Design and Development group in the Department of Urban Studies and Planning, collaborates with the MIT Media Lab. It explores how digital technologies are transforming urban life and their impact on cities. Discover the works in their database.
- Nature Cities - Nature Cities publishes research and opinions on urban issues.
- Urban Studies Journal - Urban Studies is an interdisciplinary journal covering a broad spectrum of urban issues.
- American Planning Association (APA) - Organization for urban planners in the United States.
- Congress for the New Urbanism (CNU) - CNU is an organization that promotes the principles of New Urbanism, which emphasizes sustainable and walkable neighborhoods.
- ICLEI - Local Governments for Sustainability - ICLEI is a global network of local governments committed to sustainability.
- Institute of Transportation Engineers (ITE) - ITE focuses on transportation planning and engineering, playing an important role in the planning of urban transportation systems.
- International Society of City and Regional Planners (ISOCARP) - The International Society of City and Regional Planners (ISOCARP) is a non-governmental global association of professional city and regional planners.
- Morgenstadt - Frauenhofers project to make cities future-proof.
- Next City - Next City is a nonprofit organization that covers urban affairs, including urban planning, economic development, and social issues.
- Open Geospatial Consortium (OGC) - The Open Geospatial Consortium (OGC) is an international organization that sets standards for geospatial content, location-based services, sensor web, Internet of Things, and GIS data processing and sharing.
- OpenPlans - OpenPlans, a non-profit founded in 1999, works to create livable streets in New York City. Using tactics like grassroots advocacy, policy initiatives, and targeted journalism, the organization promotes structural reforms in city government for better neighborhoods and urban living.
- Project for Public Spaces (PPS) - PPS is dedicated to creating and sustaining public places that build communities.
- The Urban Institute - The Urban Institute conducts research on various urban issues, including housing, transportation, and community development.
- Urban Land Institute (ULI) - Global nonprofit research and education organization.
- City Roads - Draw all roads in a city at once.
- Google Earth - 3D representation of the Earth.
- OpenTopoMap - OpenTopoMap is a free topographic map generated from OpenStreetMap data and SRTM elevation data.
- ShadeMap - Global simulation of mountain, building and tree shadows for any date and time.
- Stadia Maps - Stadia Maps offers a variety of ready-made map styles that don't require customization.
- GeoServer - GeoServer is an open-source server software that allows users to share, process, and edit geospatial data. It supports standards such as WMS, WFS, and WCS.
- GRASS GIS - GRASS GIS is a powerful open-source GIS software package that offers advanced geospatial analysis capabilities.
- MapServer - MapServer is an open-source development environment for building spatially-enabled internet applications.
- OpenLayers - OpenLayers is an open-source JavaScript library for displaying interactive maps on web pages.
- QGIS (Quantum GIS) - QGIS is a user friendly open-source Geographic Information System (GIS).
- Whitebox GAT (Geospatial Analysis Toolbox) - Whitebox GAT is an open-source geospatial analysis platform with a focus on environmental modeling and analysis.
- Blender - Blender is a versatile open-source 3D content creation suite that includes powerful modeling, sculpting, and rendering capabilities. While it's widely known for animation and graphics, it also supports CAD-like modeling.
- BRL-CAD - BRL-CAD is an open-source solid modeling system that has been in development for many years. It is particularly geared towards engineering and scientific applications.
- Cadmapper - Get transformed CAD files from around the world.
- FreeCAD - FreeCAD is a parametric 3D CAD modeler that is open-source and designed for creating real-life objects. It's suitable for a range of uses, including product design and mechanical engineering.
- LibreCAD - LibreCAD is an open-source 2D CAD application that is focused on creating technical drawings. It's suitable for architectural and mechanical design.
- OpenSCAD - OpenSCAD is a script-based 3D CAD modeler that allows users to create models through programming. It's particularly suitable for parametric design.
- SketchUp - SketchUp Free is a web-based version that allows users to create 3D models.
- TinkerCAD -TinkerCAD is an online CAD tool that is beginner-friendly and offers a simple interface for creating 3D models. It's often used for educational purposes.
- BlenderBIM Add-on - An add-on for detailed, and data-rich OpenBIM with Blender.
- IFCOpenShell - IFCOpenShell is an open-source library that supports the IFC (Industry Foundation Classes) file format commonly used in BIM.
- GNU PSPP - PSPP is a free and open-source software for statistical analysis.
- Knime - KNIME is an open-source data analytics, reporting, and integration platform.
- Microsoft Power BI - Power BI is a business analytics service by Microsoft that enables users to visualize and share insights from their data.
- RStudio - RStudio is an integrated development environment (IDE) for the R programming language. It provides a powerful interface for R users to develop scripts, perform data analysis, and create visualizations.
- OpenFAST - NREL-supported OpenFAST whole-turbine and FAST.Farm wind farm simulation.
- PALM Model System - Advanced and modern meteorological model for turbulence-resolving large-eddy simulations of atmospheric and oceanic boundary-layer flows.
- A/B Street - Transportation planning and traffic simulation software.
- Adobe Color Wheel - Generate harmonized color palettes.
- Krita - Krita is a free and open source painting program.
- InkScape - Inkscape is vector graphics software.
- GIMP - Free and open-source image editor.
- Vectr - Free vector graphics editor.
- Font Squirrel - Font identifier.
- MrCutOut - Cutout library for architects and 3D graphic designers.
- The Noun Project - Diverse collection of free icons and stock photos.
- Textures - Collection of images, materials and 3D assets.
- LibreOffice - Office suite.
- Google Slides - Cloud-based presentation program.
- LimeSurvey - Simple and anonymous online survey tool.
- Prezi - Online presentation design platform.
- Countries States Cities Database - Full Database of city state country available in JSON, SQL, PSQL, XML, YAML & CSV format.
- competitionline - Competitions and calls for tenders in Germany.
- Europan - Architectural and urban planning ideas competition.
- World Architecture Community Awards (WA Awards) - International architecture competition.
- Atlas Obscura - Guidebook and tour-guide to the world's most wondrous places. Travel tips, articles, strange facts and unique events.
- ArchDaily - Popular online platform that features architecture news, projects, products, events, and competitions from around the world.
- City Monitor - City Monitor provides analysis and insights on urban issues, including city governance, infrastructure, and economic development.
- CityLab - Today's top stories, ideas and solutions, from cities around the world provided by Bloomberg.
- Inhabitat - Inhabitat focuses on sustainable design, architecture, and environmental news, showcasing innovative and eco-friendly projects.
- PlannersWeb - PlannersWeb is an online resource for planning commissioners, providing articles and resources on planning and land use issues.
- r/Urban planning - Reddit's /urbanplanning thread is a community dedicated to discussions, insights, and news related to urban design, development, and policy.
- TheCityFix - The City Fix is a blog by WRI Ross Center for Sustainable Cities, offering insights and solutions for creating sustainable and equitable urban areas.
- Architects' Journal - UK-based publication that provides news, analysis, and insights on architecture and the built environment.
- Architectural Digest - International design magazine covering architecture, interior design, and lifestyle.
- Bauwelt - Bauwelt is a German architecture magazine published fortnightly.
- City Journal - US-based urban-policy magazine.
- Dezeen - Design and architecture magazine that covers a wide range of topics, including architecture, interiors, and urban planning.
- The Plan - Italian based architecture and design magazine.
- Planetizen - Planetizen is a planning and development network that offers news, trends, and resources for urban planners and professionals.
- Planners Network - Planners Network is a coordinated network of individual members and of chapters based in cities, regions, and campuses around North America.
- UNESCO - Creative Cities Network - UNESCO Creative Cities Network promotes cooperation among cities that recognize creativity as a strategic factor for sustainable urban development.
- BauNetz Jobs - Interactive map of the Germany-wide BauNetz job market.
- GEOjobs - German-language job market in the field of geography.
- UNJobs - UNJobs Association of Geneva, is a non-profit Swiss organisation.
Feel free to contribute by adding more resources or improving existing ones. Follow the contribution guidelines.
This awesome list is licensed under the Creative Commons Attribution 4.0 International License.
This list is intended as a community resource for informational use only - listing of a project/product does not imply endorsement.