Planning
Reinventing Los Angeles: Seizing the Transit Opportunity
Ken Bernstein, Principal Planner for the City of L.A., explores how the expansion of transit in Los Angeles is changing how the department approaches its plans and the planning process.
The Planning Report
Planners Must Speak for the Disadvantaged
"No one other than we as planners has the responsibility for decisions today that will profoundly affect others," says Attorney/Planner Dwight H. Merriam.
Edward J. Bloustein School of Planning and Public Policy
Where the Hipsters Go
Good planning is attracting young hipsters to cities throughout the world, writes Christopher F. Schuetze.
International Herald Tribune via New York Times
Critics Argue Against Public Participation
Public participation is an important part of the urban planning process, says Michael Hooper, as "it improves project outcomes and the likelihood of project success." But lately, some prominent people are saying that it hinders the planning process.
Next American City
Austin Releases An All Encompassing New 30 Year Plan
The city of Austin has released a new 197 page planning document to manage its population growth and inform planning decisions for the next three decades.
American Statesman
Can a 'Case Management' Office Save the Development Process in Los Angeles?
Despite 40 percent fewer employees, the department recently announced a reform plan to expedite the development approval process by bringing the city's Planning Department and the Department of Building and Safety under one roof.
The Planning Report
San Diego Folds Planning Department into Development Department
To save $1 million a year, the mayor is folding the Planning Department into the department in charge of processing building permits.
Voice of San Diego
Jane Jacobs and the Downfall of Planning
Is urban planning losing its relevance as a profession? Some say yes. In this essay from Places, Thomas Campanella suggests that the roots of this fall from grace lie in the era of Jane Jacobs.
Places
Promised Reform of L.A.'s Project Approval Process Taking Shape
The name has changed, butt he reform game stays the same. Chief Deputy Mayor Austin Beutner has promised a more transparent project approval process. A team of consultants is just beginning to pitch their ideas.
The Planning Report
The Future of Australian Cities
Anton Roux and John Stanley of ON LINE opinion outline the future for Australian cities.
ON LINE opinion
Fractured Planning Tales
The fractured state of planning at various levels of government in the U.S. is limiting the potential of good ideas, according to this critique from Next American City.
Next American City
Parks Better For Cities Than Stadiums, Arts Centers
Because of their broad appeal, diverse uses, and heavy programming, parks may do more for cities than the performing arts centers of the 1980s and the sports venues of the 1990s have accomplished, says JoAnn Greco.
The Washington Post
Could Classic Hill Towns Be a Model for Town Planning?
In classic hill towns, people showed innovation and dynamic placemaking--lessons learned for urbanism in the new century, says Chuck Wolfe.
myurbanist
Note to New Orleans: Get Involved.
The proposed design for a New Orleans medical complex is being directed from state offices, and is out of place from local planning principles, according to findings.
New Urban Network
Does Transportation Funding Violate the Civil Rights Act?
The Great City blog argues that Washington State's 18th Amendment "violates the United States Civil Rights Act of 1964, perpetuating discrimination in the state's transportation system."
Great City
Redefining a Planning Department
The L.A. Department of City Planning is experiencing radical changes in leadership, planning process, and organizational structure. The leaders--past, present, and, future--of planning in L.A. gathered in August to discuss a vision for the future.
The Planning Report
Cairo's New Megacities
Overcrowding and pollution in Cairo have inspired planners to push out into the desert, raising two brand-new cities out of the sand.
The New York Times
The Top 20 Urban Planning Successes of All Time
An interesting post appeared on the Public Servant Blog a few days ago. The list includes Amsterdam, Eugene, Oregon; Ponce Center City, Puerto Rico; and the city of Philadelphia among others.
Public Servant Blog
The Role of a Big City Planning Director: Visionary or Expeditor?
Michael LoGrande, recently approved as the next Planning Director for the city of L.A., is a city hall insider with a reputation as an expeditor. Former interim Planning Director Mark Winogrond questions the process by which LoGrande was selected.
The Planning Report






















