Memphis

Beale Street Memphis

Memphis Launches First Comprehensive Planning Effort Since 1981

Though it's been 35 years since its last comprehensive plan, the city of Memphis hopes to start updating its comprehensive plan every five to ten years.

June 30, 2016 - The Commercial Appeal

A Chronicle of Inequality—Starting with Memphis and Houston

Places Journal has launched a series titled "The Inequality Chronicles." Expect high-quality longform articles.

March 15, 2016 - Places Journal

City Hall

Introducing 8 Newly Elected Mayors

There's no doubt that cities provide important leadership on countless issues—here are eight new elected mayors tasked with providing the political leadership to make it possible.

December 29, 2015 - Governing

Bus Riders, Bus Drivers Unify in Memphis

The unions of two groups sometimes pitted against each other in seeking their agenda for the bus system in Memphis have joined together against a common foe: the management of the Memphis Area Transit Authority.

November 25, 2015 - The Memphis Flyer

Empty Lot

Memphis Tells Residents: If You Mow It You Can Own It

Residents who put in the effort of maintaining vacant property will have their hard work rewarded and will be offered the opportunity to purchase the property.

November 7, 2015 - Route Fifty

Memphis and the Origins of the Crosstown Concourse

In an interview with Crosstown Concourse's Todd Richardson, Thriving Cities explores the challenges of revitalizing and transforming Memphis' old Sears Roebuck Building.

November 3, 2015 - Thriving Cities Blog

Beale Street Memphis

Planners Across America: Josh Whitehead Helps Memphis Live Within Limits

Josh Whitehead, planning director of the Memphis and Shelby County Office of Planning & Development (OPD), discusses competing with suburbs, implementing a new zoning code, and redeveloping, for a second time, historic streetcar corridors.

July 31, 2015 - Josh Stephens

Beale Street

Turmoil on Memphis' Signature Street

Memphis' Beale Street is famous as a home of the blues and one of the city's biggest tourist attractions. Even so, been it's mismanaged and is often empty. With some conflicts settled, the city hopes to realize the street's value as a civic asset.

July 2, 2015 - New York Times

$55 Million Overhaul Proposed for Memphis' Central Station

A transformative project is in the works for the South End neighborhood of Downtown Memphis.

March 30, 2015 - The Daily News (Memphis)

Foreclosure Sign

Homeowners Are Going Underwater Again

The narrative about the full recovery of the real estate market from the housing market crash of 2008 is only true in some parts of the country. In fact, an increasing number of homeowners owe more than their homes are worth.

March 22, 2015 - The Washington Post - Wonkblog

Greenprint 2015/2040 Plan Calls for 500 Miles of Greenways in the Memphis Region

A regional coalition has spent three years planning a network of greenspaces that will span in the Tri-State area surrounding Memphis, Tennessee. The Greenprint 2015/2040 plan was released to the public last week.

February 11, 2015 - Memphis Business Journal

Woman in Bike Lane, Toronto, Canada

The Top Bike Lane Projects of 2014

Bike lanes are hot right now in cities all over the country. As more and more cities build more and more miles of bike infrastructure, which projects are exemplary?

December 19, 2014 - People for Bikes

The Rise of Memphis as a Cycling City

In 2009, Memphis was one of the worst cities for cycling, but it quickly reversed its course, becoming the most improved city for cycling according to Bicycling magazine in 2012.

November 8, 2014 - CityLab

'RiverFit': A Pop-Up Fitness Park in Memphis

Hoping to combat the city's dismal rankings in obesity, public and private partners launched the RiverFit pop-up fitness park along the Mississippi River in September.

October 8, 2014 - The Trust for Public Land - City Parks Blog

Bristol waterslide

The Best Urban Crowdfunding Projects

Guardian Cities has compiled a list (with pictures!) of the "smartest" urban crowdfunding projects from around the world.

April 29, 2014 - Guardian Cities

Invasion of the Renters Disturbs Homeowners

An improving housing market driven by investors has continued to drive down America's homeownership rate. In many neighborhoods, this means that renters now occupy a substantial amount of homes, distressing owner-occupiers.

August 30, 2013 - The New York Times

Protected Bike Lanes May Receive Federal Recognition

While protected bike lanes have yet to be recognized by AASHTO, they are en route to being recognized by US DOT, writes Green Lane Project's Michael Andersen. With federal guidance, transportation engineers may be more willing to build cycle tracks.

August 12, 2013 - Green Lane Project

Memphis Pedals Cycling as Economic Salve

One of the America's most unhealthy, auto-centric cities has seen the light - the handlebar headlight that is - with a push to improve its bicycling infrastructure as a means of economic development.

January 1, 2013 - The New York Times

Tactical Urbanism: A Look Back at 2012

From guerrilla wayfinding to future-tising, these are my top five, perhaps lesser known, highlights of a banner year for Tactical Urbanism.

December 30, 2012 - Mike Lydon

Tracking the Transportation Initiatives to be Decided Today

While the federal government balks at increasing money for transportation projects, local officials across America are turning to their constituents to get the go ahead for significant transportation investment. What projects are at stake today?

November 6, 2012 - the transport politic

News from HUD User

HUD's Office of Policy Development and Research

Call for Speakers

Mpact Transit + Community

New Updates on PD&R Edge

HUD's Office of Policy Development and Research

Top Books

An annual review of books related to planning.

Top Websites

The best of the Internet—since 2002.

Top Apps

Planning apps for a brave new world.

Top Schools

The definitive ranking of graduate planning programs.

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.