Exclusives

A Metro Los Angeles bus driver is behind the wheel while wearing a mask.

FEATURE

Confronting the Crisis on Public Transit

Problems, old and new, are threatening what remains of our public spaces. How we respond right now could be make or break for public transit.

March 23 - Angie Schmitt

Aerial view of snowy single-family homes in suburban Long Island, New York

BLOG POST

New York Governor Advances Housing Plan Amid Stiff Suburban Opposition

Governor Kathy Hochul’s ambitious proposal to create more housing has once again run into a brick wall of opposition in New York’s enormous suburbs, especially on Long Island. This year, however, the wall may have some cracks.

March 20 - Mark H. McNulty

Hillside home construction in the Porter Ranch neighborhood of Los Angeles, California.

BLOG POST

YIMBYs and Environmentalists Team Up at Last

The politics of development in California achieved another significant milestone recently, when a YIMBY organization and an environmental advocacy organization collaborated on new land use legislation to be considered by the State Legislature.

March 19 - James Brasuell

Yellow on black "Expect Delays" traffic sign

BLOG POST

A Serious Critique of Congestion Costs and Induced Vehicle Travel Impacts

Some highway advocates continue to claim that roadway expansions are justified to reduce traffic congestion. That's not what the research shows. It's time to stop obsessing over congestion and instead strive for efficient accessibility.

March 14 - Todd Litman

2017 Apps

FEATURE

Survey: Help Identify the Best Planning Apps of 2023

Planetizen needs your help updating the definitive list of mobile apps for professional, student, academic, or citizen planners.

March 12 - Planetizen


View down New York City alleyway at nighttime

BLOG POST

Red Cities, Blue Cities, and Crime

Homicides rose across the nation in 2020 and 2021. But did they rise equally in all cities, or was the situation worse in some than in others?

March 12 - Michael Lewyn

Colorful umbrellas over an alleyway in RiNo Arts District, Denver, Colorado

BLOG POST

A DIY Approach to Developing Creative Arts Districts

Communities in Colorado are using a do-it-yourself process known as “Call Yourself Creative” to establish new neighborhoods that leverage the arts for community and economic development goals.

March 9 - Ronnique Bishop


Vacant lot in Chicago, Illinois with skyline in background

BLOG POST

Exploring the Ethics of Private Property Buyouts

Learn more about the various impacts of buying out private property with the intent of furthering urban development.

March 8 - Devin Partida

HOLC map of Bridgeport, Connecticut with yellow push pins on it

BLOG POST

New Exhibition Examines Democracy and Land Use in Connecticut

"The Practice of Democracy: A View from Connecticut" is a new exhibition on display from January to June in Bridgeport, New Haven, and Norwalk which unpacks the relationship of land use and development to democracy.

March 8 - Mark H. McNulty

Tenant Protections

PLANOPEDIA

What Is Rent Control?

Rent control, also known as rent stabilization, is a controversial policy tool used by the government to limit rent increases by landlords.

March 1 - James Brasuell

New York City sidewalk with outdoor dining patio with black and white striped umbrellas and black barriers protecting diners from traffic

BLOG POST

The Slow Retreat of Pandemic-Era Outdoor Dining Programs Continues

It’s been almost three years since the political dynamics of outdoor dining in the United States shifted, suddenly and overwhelmingly. Increasingly, the status quo is being restored.

March 1 - James Brasuell

Black and white photo of Pike Place Market entrance in Seattle with "PUBLIC MARKET" and "Meet the producer" signs

BLOG POST

A Chatbot Talks Regeneration and Recovery for Seattle

In his recent analysis of trends to watch for 2023, Managing Editor James Brasuell noted how ChatGPT might replace all the writers of Planetizen, and more. Chuck Wolfe decided to take literally Brasuell's “don't let it sneak up on you” admonition.

February 28 - Charles R. Wolfe

Connecticut

BLOG POST

Land Use Reform Picks Up Momentum in Connecticut Again

Multiple statewide land use reform proposals are up for debate in the Nutmeg State. Which, if any, will become law?

February 27 - Mark H. McNulty

Rural Traffic

BLOG POST

Should We Continue to Ignore Induced Vehicle Travel Costs?

A recent Planetizen blog claims that urban highway expansions reduce traffic congestion and benefit everyone. That must be a joke! Most planners now recognize that such projects tend to be economically wasteful and contradict community goals.

February 26 - Todd Litman

Greenwich Village street with red brick buildings with green awnings and businesses on first floor

FEATURE

Livable Streets, Revisited

The updated version of Donald Appleyard’s 1982 book Livable Streets, written by Appleyard's son, dives even deeper into the ‘ecology of the street,’ proposing actionable solutions for the conflicts and problems facing urban environments today.

February 26 - Bruce Appleyard

Washington Square Park, New York City

FEATURE

Reshaping Cities for Present-Day Populations

The demographic changes of the last few years give city planners and urban designers an opportunity to reimagine how public spaces can most effectively promote public health, wellbeing, and equity.

February 23 - Douglas C. Smith

View of blurry speeding cars on freeway at sunset

BLOG POST

Opinion: Induced Travel Demand Induces Media Attention

Induced demand is a popular concept among urbanists, but does its pervasiveness obscure the true costs of mobility?

February 22 - Steven Polzin

A button to start a car reads “2023 Start”

FEATURE

Planning Trends to Watch in 2023

The days and weeks since the arrival of Covid-19 have been filled with so much noise about the future, it’s been difficult to distinguish between big stories and frivolous distractions. Planetizen is here to help.

February 21 - James Brasuell

MacDougal Street

BLOG POST

Jane Jacobs and Zoning

Does the work of Jane Jacobs support restrictive zoning?

February 21 - Michael Lewyn

Waterfront walkway with benches and Detroit skyline in the background

FEATURE

Shaping a 15-Minute City Vision for Detroit and Cleveland Using Data-Assisted Modeling

How master plans in the two cities hope to transform their historic, and historically underutilized, waterfronts.

February 19 - Trevor McIntyre

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.

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