Iowa
Pedestrian Bridge Aims for Iconic Status in Cedar Rapids
Cedar Rapids took a crucial step forward on plans to build the Smokestock Bridge—a pedestrian bridge across the Cedar River.
Presidential Politics Enters the Des Moines Rezoning Debate
Julián Castro, Democratic candidate for president and former secretary of the U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development, chose a side regarding the controversial rezoning proposal making its way through the Des Moines City Council.
New Zoning Code Evolves as Affordability Concerns Linger
The city of Des Moines is working on a new zoning code intended to ease the process of developing homes. The proposed regulations have triggered warnings from affordable housing advocates as well as local and nation home builders.
'Urban Green Spaces': A Book for Planners and Laypeople
"Urban Green Spaces" is informative, even for practitioners, and a good read, according to a book review by L.A. County park planner Clement Lau.
Feds Close Cedar Rapids ADA Case
For four years, the city has worked to make public projects compliant with the Americans with Disabilities Act. Rather than granting an extension, the Department of Justice says it is closing the case.
Summertime Ethanol Restriction Lifted to Help Corn Farmers—But at What Cost?
President Trump made good on his promise last October to lift the E15 ban in time for the summer driving season. Not mentioned by the Des Moines Register are the downsides to allowing the higher ethanol blend to be sold during the summer, e.g., smog.
Dakota Access Pipeline Owners Win Eminent Domain Appeal in Iowa Supreme Court
The Iowa Supreme Court affirmed a lower court ruling that found that the Iowa Utilities Board was justified in giving the private owners of the Dakota Access Pipeline the use of eminent domain. Climate change was considered in the ruling.
New Zoning Code Aims to Remove Red Tape in Des Moines
The city of Des Moines is hoping to update its zoning code for the first time since 1965.
'Property Tax Transparency' Approved in Iowa
A new law, signed by Governor Kim Reynolds this week, will require extra steps of local officials before they can raise property taxes in the state of Iowa.
Looking Beyond FEMA Flood Maps, Cities Raise the Bar for Buildings in Floodplains
Cities across the country are developing floodplain construction standards that are more stringent than those required by FEMA.
350-Mile Underground Electricity Transmission Line Would Connect Iowa to Chicago
Copenhagen Infrastructure Partners, Jingoli Power, and Siemens Financial Services are pitching underground electricity transmission infrastructure for the midwest.
Everywhere, Signs of Demise for the Planning Status Quo
The plans, they are a-changin.
ADA Compliance Delayed in Cedar Rapids
Cedar Rapids, Iowa, is part of Project Civic Access, a federal initiative to make public facilities accessible. Making the changes necessary for compliance has been challenging for the city.
Trump Announcement Unites Big Oil and Environmentalists
President Trump announced at a campaign rally in Iowa that he would lift the ban on summertime sales of a 15 percent blend of ethanol, expected to increase smog levels. Both environmentalists and the oil industry oppose the action.
As Tax Increment Financing Districts Sunset in Iowa City, Questions Abound
Iowa state law requires tax increment financing to sunset after 20 years. Cedar Rapids is in the process of evaluating some of its TIF districts after they expired this summer.
The New Politics of Local Funding for Flood Control Infrastructure
The city of Cedar Rapids has traditionally struggled to generate funding for flood control projects from local sources. As flooding increases and federal support decreases, the political calculus for flood control infrastructure has changed.
'Not In Our Backyard': Septic to Compost Conversion Plan Hits Local Opposition Snag
A proposal for a facility that converts septic waste to compost will have to find another home, after a decision in Linn County, Iowa.
Mobile Home Parks as Gentrification Flashpoints
The Iowa State Supreme Court recently sided with a resident of a mobile home park over the city of Des Moines, which had worked to shut the entire mobile home park down.
The 'Missing Middle' Fills a Gap in Cedar Rapids
Developers are adding an unprecedented level of new multi-family residential construction. Most of the projects are examples of missing middle housing typologies.
Des Moines Mega-Development Likened to a 'City Within a City'
New details of an ambitious infill project in Des Moines were released at the end of 2017.
City of Costa Mesa
Licking County
Barrett Planning Group LLC
HUD's Office of Policy Development and Research
Mpact Transit + Community
HUD's Office of Policy Development and Research
Tufts University, Department of Urban and Environmental Policy & Planning
City of Universal City TX
ULI Northwest Arkansas
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.
