Professional (also called "Trade") publications and magazines exist to facilitate informed, thoughtful and current communication by current practitioners.  Trade magazines, websites, lists and blogs are the main way that professional planners keep up in their field once they finish school.

Planning. Published by the American Planning Association.

Library access: available online online through several different library databases..

Once you graduate: APA members receive this publication in print and receive a login to read it online via the APA website.

Urban Land. Published by the Urban Land Institute.

Library access: print only.  Indexed in Avery Index to Architectural Periodicals, and then use the CP GET IT button to request article scans via Interlibrary Loan.  Some content available free online from their website. 

Once you graduate. This magazine is a benefit of ULI membership.

American City & County.

Library access: online.

Once you graduate: Most, if not all, of this magazine is freely available online. 

Journal of Housing and Community Development. Published by the National Association of Housing and Redevelopment Officials (NAHRO).

Library access: online through 2017.  Most recent articles are available free on their website.

Once you graduate: This magazine is a membership benefit from this organization, and is available in print format only.

Metropolis.

Library access: print (or free online).

Once you graduate: This magazine is freely available online. You can also subscribe to the print version or the free weekly e-newsletter.

Shelterforce: the journal of affordable housing and community building.

Library access: We don't subscribe to the print version, but the web version is free.

Once you graduate: Freely available online, or subscribe to the print version. 

Next City.

Library access: Web version is free. 

Once you graduate: Some of content is free online, but not the articles that appear in the print version. For that, you'll need to subscribe.

Progressive Planning. Published by the Planner's Network.

Library access: none (but you can request specific articles through Interlibrary Loan)

Once you graduate: Select articles are freely available online. Planner's Network members receive the publication in print and can download full issues online.

Green Places. Published by the Landscape Design Trust.

Library access: mostly print.  Ceased publication in 2013.

Once you graduate: Older issues are freely available online.