Landscape Architecture

Rendering of people walking on ped bridge with umbrella-shaped landscaping elements.

'Transformative' pedestrian bridge planned for LA River in Glendale Narrows

A new bridge will link Griffith Park and the Glendale Narrows Riverwalk.

June 23, 2026 - Comms Trader

Rendering of Remembrance Park upper deck with people walking on brown open-air deck on sunny day overlooking downtown Houston.

Multi-sensory Remembrance Park in Houston will honor Black history

The park is designed to highlight and memorialize the experience of enslaved Americans and the fight for freedom in Harris County.

June 19, 2026 - Office of Commissioner Rodney Ellis

Aerial view of Puente Hills landfill on green hill in Los Angeles County, California.

In Los Angeles and beyond, landfills and gas stations are the new public spaces

With scarce urban land, transforming overlooked and underutilized urban pockets into parks and green space it critical to meeting growing community, climate, and equity needs.

May 13, 2026 - National Recreation and Park Association Open Space Blog

Two people walking under large trees in Griffith Park, Los Angeles, California.

LA County to Make ‘Historic’ $78M Investment in Parks

A record $78+ million in Measure A funding advances park access, health, and climate resilience in communities that need it most.

March 20, 2026 - Los Angeles County Regional Park and Open Space District

Close-up of black and yellow oak borer beetle.

Invasive Beetle has Killed Over 200,000 Southern California Oak Trees, Raising Wildfire Risk

The rapid spread of the Goldspotted Oak Borer is killing hundreds of thousands of oak trees, undermining habitat and increasing wildfire danger across Southern California.

March 9, 2026 - ABC7 Eyewitness News

Bird's eye view of white cars in parking lot.

Study: LA Could Get Rid of Almost Half its Pavement

Researchers say nearly half of the county’s paved surfaces could be redesigned to cool neighborhoods, manage stormwater, and improve public health.

February 19, 2026 - Los Angeles Times

Sign for Loma Alta Park in Altadena, Los Angeles County.

Rebuilding After Fire, Altadena is Designing Public Spaces With Healing and Community in Mind

In the wake of the Eaton fire, Altadena is rebuilding its parks, libraries, and gathering places through innovative, people-centered design that prioritizes healing, flexibility, and the restoration of everyday community life.

February 9, 2026 - Los Angeles Times

Home with fire resistant qualities in Cameron Park, California.

NorCal's First Certified ‘Wildfire-Resilient’ Community Opens Near Sacramento

The 24-home Stone Canyon development goes beyond California’s building code for fire-resistant individual homes to include neighborhood-level fire resilience standards.

January 27, 2026 - The Builder's Daily

Neo-Spanish style new house with brown garage door and xeriscaped small yard.

Nevada Law Requiring Removal of ‘Useless’ Grass Has Killed 100,000 Las Vegas Trees, Lawsuit Claims

The lawsuit alleges that the removal of ornamental grass has damaged the city’s tree canopy.

January 19, 2026 - Independent

Two men working on a xeriscaped garden

The Overlooked Spaces That Can Prevent the Spread of Fire

The space between homes can as much as double a chance’s home of survival during a fire.

January 9, 2026 - Bloomberg CityLab

City of South Gate Urban Orchard Demonstration Project

How South Gate, California Expanded its Park System Against the Odds

With limited space and funding, South Gate opened three new parks this year through community-driven design, creative partnerships, and persistent public leadership.

November 28, 2025 - LAist

Man walking through snow in city with snow falling.

“Nobody Walks Here. It’s Too Hot or Cold or Wet or Dry.”

How much does weather actually play into the choices people make about their travel behaviors?

November 10, 2025 - Jarrett Walker

Arcosanti community in Arizona desert built with passive architecture techniques.

Arizona is Desperate to Develop Housing in the Desert. This Town Has it Figured Out

An experiment in ‘arcology’ begun in the 1970s offers lessons in passive architecture that works with, rather than against, harsh climates.

October 26, 2025 - Bloomberg CityLab

Flooded Mississippi River next to Gateway Arch in St. Louis, Missouri.

St. Louis has a Secret Stormwater Weapon Saving 100 Million Gallons from the Mississippi

The city reimburses residents who install gardens, rain barrels, and other methods that retain stormwater and decrease the risk of flooding.

October 21, 2025 - Reasons to Be Cheerful

Uenookachimachi Central Street in Taitō City, Tokyo, a lively pedestrian-friendly street known for its neon glow, narrow storefronts, and energetic nighttime vibe.

Jeff Speck’s “Interesting Walk,” In Unexpected Art Forms

We thought it would be fun to ask the Planetizen family to show us their version of the Interesting Walk. What we got back surprised and delighted us beyond expectation.

October 21, 2025 - Planetizen Team

Los Angeles River Bike Path

LA is Finally Tackling its Concrete Problem

L.A. County is launching an Urban Natureways initiative that will convert flood channels and utility corridors into interconnected greenways to boost climate resilience, equity, and community vitality.

October 9, 2025 - Supervisor Lindsey P. Horvath

Headshot of Torey Carter-Conneen and Kona Gray standing together.

In a Warmer, Wetter and More Disaster-prone World: “Nature is the Greatest Designer”

A conversation with the American Society of Landscape Architects’ CEO Torey Carter-Conneen and board president Kona Gray.

October 3, 2025 - April Economides

Dad and toddler holding hands walking down path in park.

Walking Paths as Everyday Infrastructure

Walking paths are simple yet transformative features in parks that promote health, equity, and community connection, proving that small investments can deliver lasting benefits.

September 1, 2025 - National Recreation and Park Association Open Space Blog

Overhead view of young children looking at plants growing in raised planter box.

Green Schoolyards Gain Momentum Across Southern California

Fueled by new funding and community partnerships, these projects are replacing heat-trapping asphalt with trees and vegetation to create cooler, healthier school environments.

August 17, 2025 - LAist

New York City Bike Infrastructure

NYC Unveils First Comprehensive Greenway Plan in 30 Years

New York City’s Greater Greenways plan charts an ambitious, equity-focused expansion of its 500-plus-mile greenway network, aiming to connect more neighborhoods to parks, waterfronts, and safe, sustainable transportation options.

August 17, 2025 - New York City

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.

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.