Community / Economic Development

Trans Alaska Oil Pipeline

The Biden Administration's Ambiguous Position on Drilling in Alaska

The administration's support of a Conoco-Phillips project is at odds with its suspension of Trump-era oil leases in the Arctic National Wildlife Refuge.

June 23, 2021 - WBUR

Metrorail Station Area

Amazon Financing Affordable Transit-Oriented Housing Near its New Headquarters

The company announced a $125 million investment in housing near Metro stations in northern Virginia, where the promise of jobs at its new Arlington headquarters sparked rising demand for housing.

June 23, 2021 - Greater Greater Washington

Denver Golf Course

Denver Voters Will Weigh Open Space Development

Two competing initiatives seek to change city regulations for residential and commercial development on the city's parklands and open spaces.

June 22, 2021 - Denver Post

Project site, New Orleans waterfront.

River District Megadevelopment Moving Forward in New Orleans

The project, led by Gensler, will span 39 acres of residential units, retail, and cultural attractions.

June 22, 2021 - The Architect's Newspaper

Capitol Hill

Senate Democrats Consider $6 Trillion Infrastructure Package

In contrast to the $1.2 trillion Senate bipartisan infrastructure proposal, Senate Democrats are discussing a massive package that is more of a budget resolution than an infrastructure bill, designed to pass with 51 votes on reconciliation.

June 21, 2021 - Roll Call

SMART Bus

Opinion: Detroit Area Stunted by Lack of Regional Transit

Improved connectivity and reliability in the region's public transit could stimulate growth and help build a more vibrant local economy.

June 21, 2021 - Michigan Advance

View east along Maryland State Route 927 (Montrose Road) at Interstate 270 (Washington National Pike) in Potomac, Montgomery Cou

Maryland Beltway Project Tentatively Moves Forward

The state transit authority has granted preliminary approval to the revised plan to expand the Capital Beltway and add new high-occupancy and toll lanes.

June 21, 2021 - DCist

Black Likes Matter

White House Marks Juneteenth by Pushing for Zoning Reforms

On a holiday that commemorates the end of slavery in the United States, the White House marked the occasion by discussion exclusionary zoning.

June 20, 2021 - WhiteHouse.gov

Car-Centric Planning

Mapping Environmental Justice Hotspots

A new map of Virginia illustrates the stark contrasts in pollution burdens depending on location.

June 18, 2021 - The Virginia Mercury

Westwood, Los Angeles

Reducing Car Trips in L.A.: Transportation Demand Management Ordinance Could Be Expanded

The proposed expansion would affect smaller multi-family developments and include incentives for reducing travel during peak hours and encouraging transit, walking, and biking.

June 17, 2021 - Urbanize Los Angeles

Chicago skyline

The Consequences of Urban Population Decline for American Cities

Big cities saw the sharpest population declines during the pandemic. Is the trend here to stay?

June 17, 2021 - Brookings Institution

Our Lady of Mercy Catholic Church in Redding, California at night

Leveraging Church Properties to Build Affordable Housing

As owners of valuable urban real estate, some churches are taking up the mandate to serve their community by using their vacant properties to provide housing for people being priced out of their homes.

June 16, 2021 - Reasons to Be Cheerful

People experiencing homelessness

When It Comes to Ending Homelessness, What Does 'Functional Zero' Really Mean?

"The idea of the word ‘functional’ in front of ‘zero’ is a reaction to the misperception that ending homelessness means no one ever experiences homelessness again."

June 16, 2021 - Next City

Pencoyd Iron Works and Marriott hotel under construction.

Walkable Waterfront Takes Shape on the Schuylkill River Near Philadelphia

The Pencoyd Landing development is focused on providing access to pedestrians, cyclists, and transit users in the neighborhood of Lower Merion Township, across the Schuylkill River from Philadelphia.

June 16, 2021 - The Philadelphia Inquirer

Motel 6 hotel room in Braintree, Massachusetts in 2015

Oregon's Version of Project Roomkey Offers Housing to Those Who Lost Homes to Wildfires

The program funds the purchase of hotels for housing people experiencing homelessness as housing costs in the state continue to rise.

June 15, 2021 - High Country News

Williamsburg Bridge

15 of the 'Worst Highways in America'

The Congress for the New Urbanism's "Freeways Without Future 2021" report leverages the current political moment by spotlighting 15 U.S highways for removal.

June 15, 2021 - CNU Public Square

Minnesota State Capitol

Rent Control Showdown in Minnesota

Republicans in the Minnesota State Legislature ditched an effort to block voters in the Twin Cities from implementing rent stabilization laws.

June 15, 2021 - Minnesota Reformer

Chicken + Whiskey 14th Street Washington DC 2020-09-08

Learning from D.C.'s Slow Streets Programs

"Slow streets" is a popular concept, but residents and community advocates say officials have to do more to make implementation effective and equitable.

June 15, 2021 - Lincoln Institute of Land Policy

Single-Family Housing Construction

U.S. Home Construction Costs Are Higher Than Ever

With demand soaring and materials in short supply, the cost of building a home has risen sharply in the last year.

June 14, 2021 - Bloomberg

Expo & Crenshaw Expo Line Station

Inglewood Set to Rezone Neighborhoods Near New Transit Lines

Plans for the area include thousands of new housing units, public parks, and improved bike and pedestrian infrastructure.

June 14, 2021 - Urbanize LA

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.

Top Books

An annual review of books related to planning.

Top Schools

The definitive ranking of graduate planning programs.

100 Most Influential Urbanists

The who's who of urbanism, according to Planetizen readers.

Urban Planning Creators You Should Know

A short list of voices on social, video, and podcasting platforms.