Land Use

Height Limits, Roof Deck Ban Killed by Philly Planning Commission's Pocket Veto
The Philadelphia City Planning Commission made a "rare how of power" in using a variety of "pocket veto" to kill proposed height and roof deck restrictions in the Far Northeast section of Philadelphia.

Innovative Planning Curriculum Awarded
Winners of an annual award for innovation in planning curriculum were announced earlier this year, and applications for 2020's award will be open until February.

Supreme Court Refuses Landmark Homelessness Case
A closely watched court case related to how cities deal with homeless people sleeping in public, Martin v. Boise, will not get hearing with the U.S. Supreme Court.

The Decade in Urban Planning
A look back at the biggest stories and themes from the world of urban planning in the decade that was the 2010s.

What Can Brain Science Tell Us About Cities?
Cities are not unlike brains in their capacity to evolve along complex, self-organizing patterns. Studying what some researchers call the "urban connectome" may give us insight into how best to organize the places where we live.

Leaving Flood-Prone Area Free of Development Would Save Billions, Study Says
It makes more fiscal sense to buy flood-prone land and conserve it than to cover the costs of the damages to developments, according to researchers from the University of Bristol and other institutions.

Op-Ed: What Can Be Done About Toronto's Drabness?
After decades of "just-good-enough when it comes to design," now may be the time for Toronto to take steps to upgrade its aesthetics.
Equity in Public Spaces
Earlier this year, the Project for Public Spaces published a "Playbook for Inclusive Placemaking."

Duluth to Provide Free Land for Creative Housing Proposals
To address its housing shortage, the city of Duluth is giving away free parcels of land to developers with viable proposals for low-cost housing.

Homeownership—American Dream or Nightmare?
Owning a home has long been considered the ultimate aspiration. But social and economic realities mean the stories about and the path to homeownership are not simple and straightforward.

How Peoria Is Putting Green Infrastructure to Work
Peoria's new stormwater farm takes the pressure off its outdated combined sewer system. It's part of a larger effort by the city to align green infrastructure with social equity goals.

L.A. Architects Demonstrate Livable, Affordable, Scalable Density
Architects Angela Brooks and Lawrence Scarpa discuss their new exhibit and the challenges to planning and building affordable, livable density in Southern California today.

Living With Record Tides in Florida's Key Largo
South Florida's annual "king tides" were especially brutal this year. Residents of one Florida Keys community have experienced what it's like to live on the front lines of sea level rise.

Great Salt Lake, Shrinking From Water Diversions for New Development, Spreads Dust Around Utah
New research is quantifying the environmental consequences of land use patterns and water diversions in Northern Utah.

Attracting Youth of Color to the Field of Planning
A leading youth engagement in planning program, explained.

Planning for Infill Growth Doesn't Guarantee Development: a Case Study
The city of Santa Rosa has made a concerted effort to plan for new development, but projects have yet to materialize.

Development Backlash Follows Population and Job Growth in Western States
As housing prices rise all over the country, quickly growing states like Colorado, Idaho, and Utah are transforming in ways some residents didn't anticipate or desire. Such circumstances are a breeding ground for anti-development politics.

1,000 Football Fields Worth of Trees Lost in Philadelphia Over a Decade
Philadelphia's new "Tree Canopy Assessment" both records the damage of the past decade and makes the case for a new path forward when in comes to prioritizing the city's tree canopy.

Seattle Councilmember Calls for Transit-Oriented Density
Seattle Councilmember Abel Pacheco writes on opinion piece for The Urbanist to make the case for transit-oriented density on The Ave in the city's University District.

The N.Y.C. Free Parking Giveaway Needs to Stop
Free street parking in much of New York City means lost revenue, but it also affects the urban landscape and the quality of people’s lives. So how much is all that street space really worth?
Pagination
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.
City of Moorpark
City of Tustin
City of Camden Redevelopment Agency
City of Astoria
Transportation Research & Education Center (TREC) at Portland State University
Regional Transportation Commission of Southern Nevada
Toledo-Lucas County Plan Commissions