Making room for more housing, fixing broken sidewalks, and our favorite books of the year.
As the year came to an end, lawmakers scrambled to pass legislation ahead a new administration, think pieces opined on the reasons for the continued housing crisis, and New York City approved its long-awaited congestion pricing plan, a plan that could still be in jeopardy due to a bevy of legal challenges. Turning his attention from parking to accessibility, Donald Shoup offers an innovative approach for how Los Angeles could fix its broken sidewalks ahead of the Olympics. Meanwhile, Seattle legalized co-living arrangements, which could create more diverse and affordable housing types in the city. Here at Planetizen, we published our annual list of favorite urban planning reads.
The full list of December’s most-read stories:
1. Seattle Legalizes Co-Living
A new law eliminates restrictions on housing facilities that include shared kitchens and other amenities.
2. NYC Congestion Pricing Plan Threatened by Legal Challenges
Finally approved by New York Gov. Hochul and the MTA board, the city’s congestion pricing plan still faces multiple legal hurdles before it can go into effect.
3. The City of Broken Sidewalks
Parking guru Donald Shoup explains how Los Angeles could fix 4,000 miles of broken sidewalks before the city hosts the 2028 Summer Olympics.
4. To Build More Housing, Cities Must Be Smarter in How They Use Land
More evidence that zoning and land use reform could alleviate the housing crisis.
5. NYC Officials Announce Broadway Pedestrianization Project
The city will create a pedestrian and bike-oriented space over two blocks of the famous street.
6. Is Crime More Concentrated in Spread-out Cities?
Does sprawl create a false sense of security?
7. Planetizen’s Top Urban Planning Books of 2024
Our top literary picks of the year.
8. Shifts in Shopping: Transforming Malls Into Parks
How vacant commercial spaces can be repurposed to create badly needed green space.
9. The Glass City’s Riverfront Sparkles with Promise
A massive redevelopment project in Toledo, Ohio is bringing new life to the city’s formerly industrial waterfront.
10. Chicago Allocates $500K to Sidewalk Clearing Pilot
The city is moving ahead with a pilot program that will keep sidewalks clear of snow, but implementing it citywide will cost much more than the half million allocated in next year’s budget.
Co-living ‘Microapartments’ Cost Half as Much to Build as Typical Studios
In 10 major U.S. metros, an analysis found that converting office buildings to small co-living units could dramatically cut the costs of construction.
Planetizen’s Top Posts of 2025
The most-read articles on Planetizen in 2025.
A robot army is assessing accessibility and mobility on Hoboken's streets
The city is deploying robotic scanners to identify gaps in the city's sidewalks, curb cuts and other mobility infrastructure.
Planetizen Federal Action Tracker
A weekly monitor of how Trump’s orders and actions are impacting planners and planning in America.
The state-sanctioned urbicide of Austin
People don’t kill cities. Freeways do.
US to reduce Colorado River water deliveries to Mexico
A new Colorado Treaty amendment reduces Mexico’s Colorado River water allocation by 250,000 acre feet.
5 New England states march closer to 800 megawatt wind energy project
Securing federal approval for the project may be complicated under the Trump administration, which has historically been hostile towards domestic wind power.
Baltimore to break ground on $50 million Transit Priority Project
The project will bring faster bus trips, safer streets and better bike connections to Baltimore.
Airbnb launches $250 million 'last-dollar financing' housing accelerator, makes first investment in Austin
The company will put $6.4 million towards affordable housing development in Texas’ capital.
FREE Course: Walkable City 1: Why Walkability?
After describing his path towards focusing on walkability as the essence of good planning, Jeff Speck marches through his five principal reasons for making more walkable places.
Reinventing Malls: Planning Alchemy—Turning Gray Fields Into Gold
The course focuses on the opportunities and imperatives that shape reinvention of mall sites.
Eagle County Government
Harvard University Graduate School of Design
Nashville Planning Department
The Architects Foundation
University of Cincinnati Online
The Pocatello Development Authority
The Urban Renewal Agency of the City of Pocatello
Journal of the American Planning Association
