Land Use
Thumbs Down on Decades-Old Southern California Housing Development Proposal
A proposal for a large development in the Coachella Valley, near Joshua Tree National Park, is facing obstacles once again as the planning commission fails to recommend the plan move forward.
Expert Opines on the Fiscal Disincentives Undermining Local Approval of Housing Development
Larry Kosmont identifies the fiscal dysfunction driving city resistance to state-mandated density and offers institutional explanations for California’s current housing crisis.
Texas Program Pays Landowners to Leave Coastal Lands Untouched
In an effort to preserve coastal Texas ecosystems and fight global warming, a new nonprofit is paying landowners to not develop their land.
Former L.A. Planning Director Admits to Ethics Violation
A Los Angeles Times investigation reveals that the city of Los Angeles' might not have revealed every layer of ethics violation committed by Michael LoGrande after he left the Department of City Planning in 2016.
Op-Ed: Only Half of San Francisco is Changing
Using a mid 20th-century painting as his point of reference, Benjamin Schneider points out that the vast, disruptive changes we often associate with San Francisco are only affecting the city's eastern side.
Lofty Ambitions for Denver's Planned Urban Trail
The first section of the 5280 Trail, ready for design work in Denver, is already being compared to the High Line in New York City.
Making the Case for ADUs and Housing Equity
For Montgomery County in Maryland, accessory dwelling units are a viable strategy to help ease the affordable housing crisis.
Land Use of 2,200-Acre Site Holds Up 'Livable Frederick' Plan in Western Maryland
City councilmembers are debating the future of a 2,200-acre former aluminum smelting plant in Frederick, Maryland. The debate centers on the viability of the parcel as transit-oriented development.
Co-Working Spaces Fill Opportunity Zone Developments
Developers are working to attract tenants to co-working spaces, in a relationship that they say benefits companies as well as surrounding communities.
New Paper: Exclusionary Zoning Is a National Problem in Need of Federal Action
A new paper published by the Joint Center for Housing Studies of Harvard University raises the stakes of the discussion about exclusionary zoning and its role in the ongoing housing affordability crisis in the United States.
Editorial: Pittsburgh Fails to Provide Adequate Parking Around Downtown
New development coming to Downtown Pittsburgh lacks sufficient parking, according to the Pittsburgh Post-Gazette.
School Playgrounds to Parks
More than 40 percent of Dallas residents live within a half-mile of a park, but the school district and the city are working together with nonprofits to improve that figure.
As Cities Densify, New Building Design Strategies Keep Them Livable
Cities need to increase density, but the design of buildings can drastically affect people’s quality of life. Architects are using new tactics and tools to create innovative structures where light, air, and space are not compromised.
Rezoning for Larger Homes in a New York City Single-Family Neighborhood
A rezoning process for a neighborhood in Queens will allow homes to be built wider and deeper. Supporters say the space is needed for large families.
New D.C. Development Guidelines Require More Consideration of Walkability
Washington, D.C. recently released its first new guidelines for transportation review of new developments since 2012.
New High-Rises in Boston Pick Up Where Development Left Off 40 Years Ago
A new development promises to transform a gritty part of the Back Bay, according to this article from the Boston Globe.
A Retiring Dean Considers the Changing Responsibilities of Planners
Former L.A. City Councilmember and retiring Cal Poly College of Environmental Design Dean Michael Woo reminds readers of the visionary responsibilities of elected officials to ensure the plans of today indeed consider the needs of tomorrow.
A Comprehensive Plan for Every Neighborhood Park
Minneapolis wants more equity in its parks spending—and new plans are a key step in the process of delivering more equitable results.
Planning Department Study Documents Storefront Vacancy in NYC Neighborhoods
A new report from the New York Department of City Planning has found that storefront vacancy may not be a one-answer citywide problem. Vacancies were found to be concentrated in certain neighborhoods, and the reasons appear to be varied.
Is This Chicago Indoor Vertical Farm the Future of Agriculture?
A new indoor vertical farming venture in Chicago seeks to change agricultural production by harnessing technology.
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
