Land Use
For Social Distancing, Sidewalk Design Falls Short
Narrow sidewalks and pathways mean that people cannot realistically stay far enough apart.
How the Pandemic Is Stressing the Mortgage System
As the outbreak continues, the country’s housing finance system faces a number of serious threats and challenges.
The Dots of Connectivity and Broken Cultural Links
Connectivity is not just a question of geometry, according to this article by Fanis Grammenos. It's critical to consider what people connect for and how.
How Coronavirus Will Change Cities, From Public to Private Lives
Changes are coming, but they don't have to be anti-urban, and they could mean a more resilient world for cities and communities of all shapes and sizes.
N.Y.C. Density and Spread of Coronavirus
The densest city in the country is struggling with the rapid spread of the virus, and close proximity is likely a primary factor.
Disparate Impact Won't Save Us From Exclusionary Zoning
The Fair Housing Act (FHA) imposes liability upon landlords and governments whose policies have a discriminatory effect against racial minorities. However, the courts have interpreted this doctrine narrowly.
In Wyoming, Vast Open Spaces Meet Extreme Gaps Between Rich and Poor
The story of Jackson Hole, Wyoming, illustrates the class tensions that arise when an idealized vision of life close to nature butts up against the realities of wealth, privilege, and social inequality.
Connecticut Town Rejects Drive-Through COVID-19 Testing Facility
The annals of local control, or, as some would say, NIMBYism, have a new chapter.
Planning Healthy Communities—Beyond the Hype
Evidence-based research can help planners create truly healthy communities. No junk-science please.
Frontlines of the Social Distancing Effort Shifts to Parks and Open Space
Too many people have been seeking normalcy on parks and on trails. This isn’t a normal time.
Shelter in Place: Working in a Time of Isolation
Need some work-at-home tips from a veteran? Hazel Borys has eight to consider.
Building Better Multi-Family Housing for Less
New research examines ways multifamily housing costs can be reduced through design and construction decisions.
How Downtown L.A.'s First 'Re:Code' Community Plan Embraces Density and Affordability
Vince Bertoni addresses his city’s efforts to incentivize affordable housing and noted the responsibility shared at the state, regional, and local level for policy & regulatory change to incent provision of affordable housing.
6 Zoning Keys for Effective Missing Middle Housing
The inventor of the term missing middle housing has advice on writing zoning codes that effectively deliver on the potential of the tool.
Local Planning Departments Shutting Down in California
The entire state of California is now on a shelter in place order, but planning desks and public hearings on land use issues were already in the process of shutting down.
Debating the Future of Cities, and Urban Density, After the Pandemic
Numerous writers and experts are already examining the question about what happens to ideas about urbanism in a future forever altered by recent events.
Economic Argument for Historic Preservation in L.A.: Older Housing is Affordable Housing
Donovan Rypkema and Adrian Scott Fine highlight myth-busting findings on the impacts of historic preservation overlay zones (HPOZs) on affordability, density, diversity, and economic resilience of neighborhoods across Los Angeles.
Mayor Lightfoot Expected to Push for Legal Coach Houses in Chicago
Mayor Lori Lightfoot is expected to introduce legislation that would relax zoning restrictions on coach houses, known widely as accessory dwelling units, in the city of Chicago.
What the Future Looked Like Before the Coronavirus
Common Edge surveyed mayors and urban designers for ideas about what the next decade holds in store for cities. There were plenty of challenges in facing the world before the pandemic.
Parking Enforcement Reduced in L.A., Intact in New York City
The two largest cities are headed in two different directions when it comes to parking enforcement for street sweeping during the coronavirus pandemic—for now at least.
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.
planning NEXT
Appalachian Highlands Housing Partners
Mpact (founded as Rail~Volution)
City of Camden Redevelopment Agency
City of Astoria
City of Portland
City of Laramie
