Land Use

Cedar Rapids Floods

Coastal States Are Building in Flood Zones Faster Than Anywhere Else

Here's a trillion dollar real estate market on the coasts of the United States—and it's building itself into rising levels of risk.

August 5, 2019 - The New York Times

San Diego Rail

A New Model for Growth in San Diego

When first announced in 2014, the Morena Corridor Specific Plan provoked protests. The plan has changed, but it now finally has initial approval from the San Diego City Council.

August 4, 2019 - Voice of San Diego

Drive-Thru

One Vote Left for Proposed Citywide Ban of New Drive-Throughs in Minneapolis

The city of Minneapolis could achieve another first of land use regulation next week if the City Council votes to prohibit the construction of all drive-through facilities in the entire city.

August 4, 2019 - Star Tribune

Wild Horses BLM

New Bureau of Land Management Head Wants to Sell Public Lands

The Trump administration's attack on the protection and conservation of public lands has a new champion.

August 3, 2019 - Associated press via The Salt Lake Tribune

Atlanta, Georgia

$1.9 Billion Public Financing Plan for Atlanta Mega-Project Headed to Appeal

The sage over The Gulch development project—soon to be renamed Centennial Yards—will continue after project opponents filed an appeal of a June court decision upholding public financing for the project.

August 3, 2019 - Atlanta Journal-Constitution

Chicago, Illinois

Lake Michigan Wreaking Havoc on Chicago This Summer

Lake Michigan has reached historic levels this summer. Properties on the Far North Side are most at risk. Swimmers have already been called back from the shore.

August 3, 2019 - Chicago Tribune

Iowa

New Zoning Code Evolves as Affordability Concerns Linger

The city of Des Moines is working on a new zoning code intended to ease the process of developing homes. The proposed regulations have triggered warnings from affordable housing advocates as well as local and nation home builders.

August 2, 2019 - Des Moines Register

Boston COnstruction

2.5 New Jobs for Every New Home in Boston

The Boston region has achieved a jobs-housing imbalance only bested by the San Francisco Bay Area since the Great Recession.

August 1, 2019 - The Boston Globe

Phoenix, Arizona

$1 Billion Project Would Add Six High-Rise Building to the Phoenix Skyline

Zoning changes for a potentially transformative, transit-oriented, mixed-use project called "The Central Park" were approved by the Phoenix City Council in July.

August 1, 2019 - Arizona Republic

Medellin

What it Means to Design With Nature in 2019

It's been 50 years since Ian McHarg released Design With Nature, and projects all over the world are continuing to employ and improve the design ethos described in that groundbreaking book.

August 1, 2019 - Lincoln Institute of Land Policy

Paris Trees

Study: Not All Green Spaces Are Created Equal

Tree canopies deliver the most benefits to health and social outcomes to neighborhoods.

August 1, 2019 - Pacific Standard

Democratic Debate

YIMBY Housing Policies Gain Support Among Democratic Candidates for President

A growing chorus of candidates seeking to challenge Donald Trump in 2020 are voicing support for the idea of relaxing zoning and land use restrictions to encourage the development of more housing supply in expensive U.S. cities.

July 31, 2019 - The Atlantic

California Development

Zoning Change for Mixed-Use Developments, Density Near Transit Moves Forward

Until now, mixed-use projects have required a lengthy discretionary approval process in San Diego. That could change with a zoning change given preliminary approval by the City Council this week.

July 30, 2019 - Times of San Diego

Sound Transit Light Rail Extension

Light Rail Coming to Everett in 2036—Grassroots Planning Already Underway

A new light rail station scheduled for 2036 has one group in Everett, Washington thinking big.

July 29, 2019 - HeraldNet

Congresswoman

How the Green New Deal Could Transform the Built Environment

If it emulated and adapted the scope of its predecessor, the Green New Deal could transform the country in fundamental ways, with builders, planners, and architects playing central roles.

July 27, 2019 - Fast Company

Texas Capitol Building

Housing Policy Preemption for Red States

While statewide efforts to loosen zoning restrictions have made news in (mostly) blue states like California and Oregon, (mostly) red states like Florida have been preventing local governments from passing their own housing policies.

July 26, 2019 - Pacific Standard

San Francisco Bay Area

S.F. Bay Area City Says It Wants More Housing—But Votes Down Project

The project included everything San Bruno and residents asked for, and it would have helped the city make significant progress in addressing its growing housing crisis. Still, it was voted down.

July 25, 2019 - San Francisco Chronicle

Ottawa Missing Middle Video

Zoning for the Missing Middle in Cartoon Form, With Wizards

The city of Ottawa, Canada has produced another goofy animated video. This one explains its efforts to encourage more Missing Middle multi-unit urban housing.

July 24, 2019 - City of Ottawa via Youtube

Willamette River

Oregon Residents Wondering What Will Come as Statewide Zoning Reform Takes Effect

House Bill 2001 didn't ban single-family houses altogether, just single-family zoning, so change will take time, and money. There are a lot of unknowns for residents to grapple with when it comes to statewide upzoning.

July 24, 2019 - The Oregonian

Supertall Residential Towers

New Chicago Residential Tower Sets a New Standard in a City Famous for Height

The newly opened Nema Chicago tower, at 76 stories, is the city of Chicago's tallest residential building.

July 24, 2019 - Chicago Tribune

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.