Global Site Plans - The Grid

Appreciating Architecture: The Idea of the 'Naked' Museum

Removing the art from an art museum sounds like a foolish proposition until one embraces the opportunity to take in the architectural beauty of the building itself, transforming it into the work of art that it is.

July 11, 2013 - Global Site Plans - The Grid

Detroit Healthy City: Health Impact Assessments and the Detroit Future City Plan

A look at the Detroit Future City Framework through the lens of a Health Impact Assessment may provide valuable information concerning the effects of the plan's policies and practices.

June 24, 2013 - Global Site Plans - The Grid

The Weight of Development: Could Shanghai be Sinking?

Shanghai and the Pudong District in particular have seen unprecedented development over the past 25 years. The soil the city is built upon, however, has begun to subside recently.

June 7, 2013 - Global Site Plans - The Grid

What Happens When Student Renters Crowd Out Homeowners?

The growing imbalance of student housing and single family homeowners in the Oakland neighborhood of Pittsburgh is affecting the surrounding community. A new master plan seeks to maintain a healthy equilibrium between the housing options.

May 27, 2013 - Global Site Plans - The Grid

Tidal Wave Energy: Is it Ecologically Sustainable?

Balancing renewable energy production and ecological preservation is a difficult business for governments who have ample resources, but also pristine environments that would be negatively impacted.

May 18, 2013 - Global Site Plans - The Grid

Biking in the Motor City: How Detroit is Returning to its Roots

Detroit is moving away from its focus of investing solely in automobile infrastructure. The city is now turning towards bicycle infrastructure as a means of appealing to a different demographic, one that seeks alternatives to the car.

May 14, 2013 - Global Site Plans - The Grid

Is Collaboration the Key to Successful Implementation?

In order to more efficiently carry out its long-range comprehensive plan, Kane County, Illinois has created the Kane County Planning Cooperative as the central implementing body to work with various stakeholders.

May 5, 2013 - Global Site Plans - The Grid

Cincinnati Public Staircases: A Walking History Abandoned but not Forgotten

A disappearing part of Cincinnati’s urban history is the subject of a new book, which portrays urban staircases as reflective of neighborhood histories and the urban experience.

April 16, 2013 - Global Site Plans - The Grid

Cars are the Cholesterol of Buenos Aires’ Veins

The problem of increasing congestion is plaguing the development of the city of Buenos Aires, not to mention the deleterious effects on residents' quality of life.

April 7, 2013 - Global Site Plans - The Grid

Miami’s Missing Middle

Miami’s housing stock can be characterized generally to encompass single family homes and condos. Between these two options, however, other choices are lacking.

April 6, 2013 - Global Site Plans - The Grid

“Reinvent Phoenix” Seeks to Cultivate Change Along the City's Light Rail Corridor

A multi-agency planning effort is hoping to boost Phoenix's sustainability by creating a new model for urban development around the city's emerging transit corridor.

March 21, 2013 - Global Site Plans - The Grid

New York Cycling

The Do's and Don'ts of Urban Cycling

Taking the important first step in becoming an urban cyclist is often the most daunting. But with some pieces of advice and knowledge, anyone can become a confident urban cyclist.

March 9, 2013 - Global Site Plans - The Grid

Democratizing Urban Design: A Public Square for Downtown Vancouver

Lacking public open space in downtown Vancouver, the city is taking a nonconventional approach and closing one block off to traffic for the summer months to allow for a pedestrian-oriented public square.

February 24, 2013 - Global Site Plans - The Grid

Making a Place for Artists in New Orleans

Appealing to artists is a common method of urban revitalization, but keeping artists and musicians around after a community is revitalized is an equally difficult task.

February 7, 2013 - Global Site Plans - The Grid

Petaluma Kids

The Lost Downtown Demographic

Revitalizing downtowns requires appealing to all demographic and, specifically, age groups. Diversifying entertainment options will allow all groups to enjoy the activities associated with downtowns.

February 6, 2013 - Global Site Plans - The Grid

Two Wheels, Four Seasons: Winter Cycling in Montreal

Even for more seasoned bicyclists, cycling in winter can pose many problems. The winter-minded city of Montreal, however, is attempting to improve the condition of winter cycling in an effort to improve the city’s sustainability.

January 27, 2013 - Global Site Plans - The Grid

Radical Cartography Produces Unlikely Maps and Design Partnerships

Lillian Mathews describes "radical cartography," a movement to highlight, not hide, the process and politics associated with map-making decisions.

July 15, 2012 - Global Site Plans - The Grid

Seattle Makes Small Scale Stormwater Management Easy

Seattle's innovative Residential RainWise Program provides tools for stormwater management at home, in the hopes of reducing flooding, safeguarding property, and restoring the area's waters for people and wildlife.

July 8, 2012 - Global Site Plans - The Grid

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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.