Landscape Architecture

First Look at Alexandria’s Ambitious Waterfront Redesign

Following a Waterfront Small Area Plan adopted in January 2012, Alexandria, Virginia got its first look at proposed designs for the redevelopment of its Old Town waterfront this week.

April 11, 2014 - Washington Business Journal

Sidewalk

A Call to Flâner, for Spatial Justice

The concept of the flâneur was created in the 19th century in response to the encroaching speed and efficiency of the Industrial Age. Can the flâneur now fashion a political response to the Age of the Automobile?

April 11, 2014 - Fast Forward Weekly

High Line Crowds

Amanda Burden Gives TED Pitch for Public Space

Amanda Burden amassed quite a track record during her tenure as planning commissioner for New York City, like rezoning 40 percent of the city. In a recent Ted talk, however, Burden concentrated on the details that make for successful public spaces.

April 9, 2014 - TED

Willamette Falls

Can Access to Willamette Falls Spur Urban Renewal?

State and local officials in Oregon have launched a planning process to develop a public access esplanade to Willamette Falls in Oregon City. City planners could center urban renewal plans around what is expected to be a popular tourist destination.

April 8, 2014 - The Oregonian

Warhol Billboard

Coming to a Billboard Near You: The 'Art Everywhere' Project

Voting for a new project called "Art Everywhere" is currently open to the public on works from five of the country’s largest and most respected museums. The vote will help decide which images get placed on some 50,000 billboards this summer.

April 8, 2014 - Chicago Tribune

'Living Innovation Zones' Activate Public Space in San Francisco

San Francisco recently launched the Living Innovation Zones program to generate space-activating public art installations around the city. The city hopes the program will create “catalysts for exploration, innovation and play.”

April 7, 2014 - The Architect's Newspaper

Rebuild By Design: Building Resilience along the Atlantic Coast

Rebuild By Design, a design competition under the purview of the Department of Housing and Urban Development, released ten final proposals for projects that could protect and strengthen the Atlantic Coast in the event of another Hurricane Sandy.

April 7, 2014 - New York Magazine

''D.C.'s High Line" Could Transform the Banks of the Anacostia

The proposed elevated park across the Anacostia would be a first for D.C. The group backing it has launched a national design competition to design a bridge that fosters economic development, promotes community health, and cleans the river.

April 2, 2014 - Elevation DC

Wheels Up for Chicago’s Navy Pier Flyover

Chicago recently began construction on the $60 million Navy Pier Flyover—an elevated bike and pedestrian path built along Lake Michigan near the Navy Pier.

March 24, 2014 - Chicago Tribune

Checking in on Chicago’s Riverwalk Extension Plans

The already brilliant city of Chicago is soon to get another big draw—the extension of a riverwalk promenade between State and Lake streets.

March 21, 2014 - Chi.Streetsblog

North Hills Raleigh

Southern Fried Urbanism

You do not hear much talk about meaningful urbanism in the Southeast U.S. Until political winds shift, don't expect that to change.

March 14, 2014 - Mark Hough

Waterfront District Planned in South Bronx

Bronx borough officials have proposed a $500 million waterfront redevelopment project for a desolate strip between 138th and 149th streets in the South Bronx. The nascent proposal would transform the area while connecting South Bronx to Harlem.

March 11, 2014 - The New York Times

Checking in on Seattle's Ambitious Waterfront Park Plans

A recent article by Bill Lucia explains the reasons to be cautiously optimistic about a proposed park that will replace a demolished Alaskan Viaduct on Seattle’s waterfront.

March 10, 2014 - Crosscut.com

Lesson in Reduced Expectations: Dallas’ Trinity Lakes Plan

Like so many visionary plans for the restoration of public space, Dallas’ original intentions for the Trinity Lakes plan might have been “just a bunch of pretty pictures.”

February 26, 2014 - Dallas Morning News

A sign for pedestrians and cars

How Useful is Walkability: Are You Oriented to Walk?

The physical requirements for walkability—like narrow streets and wide sidewalks—aren't always enough to compel the activity of walking. How can we reorient toward the primal activity of walking?

February 26, 2014 - Steven Snell

San Antonio, Texas, Riverwalk, Evening

10 Unexpected Cities to Love

A valentine to ten cities around the world that are quietly creating urban paradigms to admire and emulate.

February 14, 2014 - Future Cities

New Proposal for Makeover of LOVE Park in Philadelphia

After months of back and forth, Philadelphia Mayor Michael Nutter and City Council President Darrell L. Clarke “reached an agreement that would allow the rehabilitation of John F. Kennedy Plaza and the sale of the garage beneath LOVE Park.”

February 12, 2014 - Philadelphia Inquirer - Philly.com

Alley Scene

The Revitalizing Power of Alleys

Cities around the country are implementing alley improvement programs as a tool for neighborhood revitalization, with benefits to the economy and the environment. A recent article celebrates the strides cities have made in reclaiming alley spaces.

February 11, 2014 - Urbanophile

The Bean in Millenium Park

How People View Their Cities, in 30 Pictures

One of the best ways to gain citizens' perspectives of their cities is to see what they see, and how they see it. Here are 30 photos sent in by people from global cities that capture that point of view.

February 11, 2014 - Future Cities

Pier 25, Hudson River Park, Tribeca

24 Hours in Manhattan's Winter Landscape

It is probably fair to say that most people think urban landscapes are at their best in the warm months. They may be right. But after a recent tromp through a frigid Manhattan, I am reminded how great cities can be in winter.

February 10, 2014 - Mark Hough

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.