Development

Downtown Detroit

How Easy Is it to Repurpose Offices into Apartments?

Adaptive reuse is a hot concept, but regulatory and financial hurdles have made it slow to catch on in practice.

April 28, 2021 - Slate

Boston SUburbs

Opinion: Regional Growth Requires Regional Planning

To avoid the pitfalls of disconnected, car-centric suburbs, local governments must proactively plan for sustainable development in growing areas.

April 20, 2021 - CommonWealth Magazine

Fresno Portal

The Nation's Fastest-Rising Rents Are in California's Central Valley

Fresno's skyrocketing housing costs and inadequate supply are putting strain on the city's low-income households.

April 13, 2021 - Los Angeles Times

Baltimore Rowhouses

The Challenges of Being a Black Developer

In an overwhelmingly white industry, Black developers find it harder to access investment, equity, and opportunities.

April 12, 2021 - The Washington Post

Six Corners

Chicago Planning Department Rejects 'Overparked' Six Corners Proposal

In a decision that is still impossible in most of the country, Chicago's Department of Planning and Development is requiring housing and reduced surface parking to approve a retail project.

February 24, 2021 - Streetsblog Chicago

Aerial of Wallingford, Seattle circa 1969

Historic Preservation as a Tool of Exclusion

The push for historic preservation districts often amounts to exclusionary zoning that exacerbates the housing affordability crisis.

February 14, 2021 - The Urbanist

Baltimore, Maryland

Health Care Institutions Must Acknowledge Their Role in Neighborhood Change

If those in health care seek to develop new ways to help patients stay in their homes, they must also find ways to temper how they affect communities in which they reside.

January 15, 2021 - Shelterforce Magazine

Seattle

Researchers Flaunt the Benefits of Reduced Minimum Parking Requirements

Seattle is one of the U.S. cities shrinking minimum parking requirements to allow for denser, more affordable development near transit.

December 2, 2020 - Transfers Magazine

Fort Worth,Texas Oct.21, 2017 Food truck at the trendy area of South side also called the Magnolia area in Forth Worth,Texas.

Fort Worth Plans Big Moves to Rebrand Near Southside

Fort Worth business owners plan to promote the Near Southside area as a hub for artists and entrepreneurs.

October 16, 2020 - Fort Worth Star-Telegram

Plan Portsmouth

What Is Land Use?

Land use might seem self explanatory, but it has a very specific meaning in the context of U.S. planning history.

June 23, 2020 - James Brasuell

Eden Utah

'TED Meets Burning Man' at Summit Powder Mountain

Developers of a ski town in Utah are expanding the weekend tech conference into a village with permanent residents.

January 12, 2020 - The Architect's Newspaper

City Apartments

Philadelphia Mayor Vetoes Several Development-Related Bills

Among a package of bills that died in the pocket of Philadelphia Mayor Jim Kenney at the beginning of the New Yer was a bill intended to ensure that developers contribute to communities.

January 7, 2020 - PlanPhilly

Golden Colorado Foothills

Keeping Colorado Land from Development Could Cost $5 Million

In Golden, Colorado, residents want to keep a parcel of land as open space, but it could come with a hefty price tag.

January 2, 2020 - The Denver Post

Walmart Supercenter

Opinion: When New Growth Is Really a 'Giant Ponzi Scheme'

Development that depends on subsidies is not fostering true growth and instead is a financial house of cards.

December 27, 2019 - Marketwatch

Strand Bookstore

Gentrification Enters Preservation Debate Surrounding NYC's Strand Bookstore

The Renaissance Revival building that houses New York City's beloved Strand Bookstore is under consideration by the city's Landmarks Preservation Commission. The case has provoked debate between rival advocates.

July 19, 2019 - Pacific Standard

Portland

Uncertain Future of Portland’s Neighborhood Associations Causing Controversy

A proposal to dissolve the groups has led to a debate about their purpose and who really benefits from them.

July 18, 2019 - Oregon Live

Oakland Architecture in Music Video

Does Oakland Have a Future as a Public City?

The city is experiencing significant growth and development, but it has a complicated history of booms and lags and its civic future is uncertain.

May 30, 2019 - Places Journal

Multi-Family Building

Buildings Full of Empty Apartments Pose Problems in China

Failed investments and buildings with no tenants sit on the outskirts of Beijing and Shanghai.

March 4, 2019 - CityLab

Surface Parking

Four Parking Spots for Every Car in Phoenix

A new study quantifies just how much of the city of Phoenix is parking.

March 3, 2019 - Streetsblog USA

Central Park - Manhattan, New York

Private Developers Building More Public Parks in New York City

Private developers are building parks around New York to satisfy zoning laws.

June 15, 2018 - The New York Times

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Urban Design for Planners 1: Software Tools

This six-course series explores essential urban design concepts using open source software and equips planners with the tools they need to participate fully in the urban design process.

Planning for Universal Design

Learn the tools for implementing Universal Design in planning regulations.