Guide: How to Write for Planetizen (Step by Step) — and Build a Real Earning Path

Planetizen publishes multiple types of content. The big ones for writers are:

• News and the daily/regular news experience (read: News).
• Exclusives like features, blogs, Planopedia entries, and other editorial work (read: Exclusives).
• Planopedia (definitions and explainers): Planopedia.
• City Profiles (city-by-city planning lens): City Profiles.
• Opinion / Editorial (Op-Ed) guidelines exist too: Op-Ed Guidelines.
• Courses and training (great for subject experts): Planetizen Courses.

Your first job is to pick the best “entry door” based on your current skill and time. This guide shows you how.

Planetizen readers include:

• Urban & regional planners, planning students, and planning commissioners.
• Urban designers, architects, transportation professionals, housing professionals.
• Policy analysts, public-sector workers, researchers, advocates, and engaged citizens.
• People who already know basic planning language and want useful clarity, not hype.

So your writing must be: specific, fair, well-sourced, and actionable. You can still write like a beginner — you just must do careful research and explain clearly.

• Housing & land use: zoning, missing middle, affordability, permitting, ADUs.
• Transportation: transit service, complete streets, Vision Zero, parking reform.
• Climate & resilience: heat, flooding, wildfire planning, adaptation strategies.
• Governance & process: public meetings, commissions, engagement, ethics.
• Equity & inclusion: displacement, accessibility, inclusive planning outcomes.
• Tools & methods: comp plans, zoning codes, form-based code, data methods.

Browse Planetizen sections to “feel” the editorial gravity: News and Exclusives.

• Can you mention a place (city, corridor, region) instead of “in general”?
• Can you mention a policy (zoning reform, parking minimum removal, TOD, etc.)?
• Can you mention a metric (ridership change, permits, rent growth, emissions)?
• Can you include one counterpoint (what critics say and why)?
• Can you end with one practical takeaway for planners?

Your pitch gets stronger when your topic includes a place, a policy, and a measurable outcome.

Goal: summarize a key planning story and link to the original source.

• Headline: “City X adopts Y policy (or debates Y policy)”
• 1–2 sentence lede: what happened + why planners should care.
• 3–5 bullets or short paragraphs: key details (who, what, where, when, how).
• Context: one definition link (Planopedia) + one prior similar example.
• Link out: original article/report link (the “source”).
• One line commentary: what to watch next (vote date, implementation, lawsuit, metrics).

Helpful sections: News, Engage / Write, Planopedia.

Goal: produce a flagship original piece with evidence and practice relevance.

• Hook story: a real moment (meeting, project, neighborhood change, statistic surprise).
• What’s the problem: define the issue and who it affects.
• What changed / what is proposed: policy, plan, or trend.
• Evidence: data + research + credible quotes.
• Tradeoffs: benefits, risks, and who disagrees.
• Case study: 1–2 cities or projects with detail.
• Practical takeaways: what planners can do next.
• Resources: links for deeper learning.

Browse exclusives for tone: Exclusives.

Goal: share a strong perspective grounded in practice and evidence.

• Personal entry: “Here’s what I noticed / learned / struggled with…”
• The claim: one clear argument (not 10).
• Evidence: 2–4 sources + one example you have seen in practice.
• Counterpoint: what a thoughtful critic would say.
• Resolution: what you recommend and why.
• Takeaway: one action a planner can apply this week.

Bonus: connect to Planopedia definitions: Planopedia.

Goal: help readers decide if a planning book is worth their time.

• What the book claims: 2–3 sentences.
• Best insights: 3–5 key ideas with short explanation.
• Evidence quality: does the author support claims well?
• Blind spots: what the book misses or oversimplifies.
• Who should read it: planners, students, commissioners, advocates?
• How it connects to real planning practice: 1–2 examples.
• Verdict: short, fair conclusion.

For book review pitching, see: Write for Planetizen and Planetizen Store for book context: Store.

Write 3–5 planning pieces in public. Use any of these:

• Your own blog (WordPress, Ghost, etc.)
• Medium or Substack (if you already use them)
• LinkedIn articles (strong for professional audiences)
• A simple Google Doc portfolio page (shareable link)

Each sample should show: clear structure, sources, and one practical takeaway. Make at least one sample a “news summary” and one a “deep analysis” to show range.

Planning is broad. Pick one “home topic” for 30 days:

• Housing approvals & zoning reform
• Transit operations & service design
• Active mobility and safety (Vision Zero, complete streets)
• Climate adaptation (heat, flood, wildfire)
• Public participation and governance

When your topic focus is narrow, editors trust you faster. You can always broaden later.

Pick 5 pieces you like from: Exclusives. Outline them: headings, evidence, takeaways, and how they link to sources.

• Notice headline style: clear, descriptive, not clickbait.
• Notice paragraph length: usually short, readable blocks.
• Notice “why it matters”: the writer connects facts to practice.

Your pitch becomes stronger because your outline “sounds like Planetizen.”

Planetizen is a community. Simple non-spam ways to engage:

• Create an account / join (see: Engage / Write).
• Submit high-quality Newsfeed items consistently.
• Share Planetizen pieces with thoughtful commentary on LinkedIn.
• Attend events listed on: Events.

Editors notice consistency and professionalism. Over time, that improves your acceptance rate and your negotiation power.

Direct pay is usually possible when:

• You are a professional writer (writing is your main income), and you pitch the formats that are paid under their rules.
• You can deliver high-quality, original, timely work with strong sources.
• You are willing to work with editors, revise, and meet deadlines.

Always confirm the latest pay details on: Write for Planetizen.

Indirect pay is how many beginners start earning. Here’s how it works:

• You publish credible planning pieces (news summaries, reviews, blogs, a feature).
• You build a public “proof trail” that shows your thinking quality.
• You then pitch other paying outlets, planning firms, nonprofits, universities, or agencies.
• Your Planetizen byline becomes instant social proof.

This route is especially strong if you are a planner, student, or practitioner who writes well.

• Be fast: respond within 24–48 hours if possible.
• Be specific: if you disagree, show evidence and propose a compromise.
• Be humble: editors improve clarity; don’t fight small wording.
• Protect facts: if a change introduces an error, explain and fix it.
• Link everything: when you revise, update links and citations.

Editors prefer writers who are cooperative, accurate, and calm. That leads to more assignments.

• Every statistic has a source link.
• Every quote has a name and context.
• Every city/program name is spelled correctly.
• Dates and “adopted vs proposed” are correct.
• Your definitions match Planopedia or other credible references.

Use Planopedia when you need consistent terms: Planopedia.

Use a simple 3-post sharing sequence:

• Post 1 (launch): the key insight in 2 lines + link to your article.
• Post 2 (2–3 days later): one chart/quote + “here’s why this matters for practice” + link.
• Post 3 (1 week later): “common questions people asked” + quick answers + link.

Also share the article in relevant professional groups and to colleagues who would benefit. Do not spam. Only share where it truly fits.

Repurposing means turning one piece of research into multiple helpful formats. But you must respect the publication agreement and timing rules.

• Safe repurpose: create a new LinkedIn post summarizing your own insight (not copying the full text).
• Safe repurpose: make a “checklist” or “framework” inspired by the article.
• Safe repurpose: turn it into a talk outline and cite the published piece.
• Not safe: copy/paste the whole article onto your blog immediately.

If you want to republish the exact article, follow reprint rules on: Write for Planetizen.