Land Use

Central Park - Manhattan, New York

Opinion: Funding for N.Y.C. Parks Should Be a Priority

New York City parks are in desperate need of maintenance and infrastructure improvements, and the city should make investments now to support these essential public spaces.

May 29, 2019 - City & State New York

Famous Mexico City traffic

Report: Congestion Defeats the Economic Purpose of Cities

Rapid urbanization and over-reliance on the inefficiencies of automobiles has set back the economies of urbanizing locations in the Global South, according to a new report.

May 29, 2019 - Thomson Reuters Foundation

Las Vegas Sprawl

The Elephant in the Room in Nevada: Property Taxes

Despite an anticipated political showdown over the issues raised by the state's property taxes, the Nevada State Legislature failed to take up the issue this year.

May 28, 2019 - The Nevada Independent

Connecticut

How Wealthy Suburbs Block Outsiders From Economic Opportunity

Exclusionary zoning and land use tactics have a long history in the United States, retaining startling relevance in contemporary times. A deep investigation into Connecticut land use politics reveals just how entrenched these practices are.

May 28, 2019 - ProPublica

Cattle Drive

Stampede of New Residents Challenges Fort Worth

An interview with Fort Worth Planning and Development Director Randle Harwood on the planning practices and ideas driving the future of one of the nation's fastest growing cities.

May 27, 2019 - Josh Stephens

Hollywood Sign

Report: Ballot Measure Intended to Spur Affordable Development Had the Opposite Effect in L.A.

L.A. voters approved Measure JJJ in 2016 in the hopes of encouraging more affordable housing as a trade-off for discretionary approval. The result has been no development at all.

May 27, 2019 - Urbanize LA

Toronto Construction

Inclusionary Zoning Now a Subject of the Toronto-Ontario Spat

Ontario and Toronto keep finding ways to disagree.

May 27, 2019 - The Star

City Hall

State of the Cities 2019

The National League of Cities has released their annual analysis of the top issues mayors are talking about in the United States.

May 27, 2019 - CityLab

Washington, D.C. Apartment

Eleven Units of Affordable Housing Coming to S.F. Bay Area Suburb

A new apartment building is going up in Danville, California, but the affordable housing it will provide is a drop in the bucket compared to the state’s massive housing needs.

May 26, 2019 - San Francisco Chronicle

11th Street and Park Road

D.C. Attempts to Save Local Dog Park

Residents of Columbia Heights in Washington, D.C. have been using property owned by D.C. Metro as a dog park. The District might buy the land to ensure it stays that way.

May 26, 2019 - The Washington Post

Ivy Covered Green Building

15 Cities Receive Grant Support LEED for Cities and Communities Program

The LEED for Cities and Communities grant program will support the first 15 cities to seek certification under LEED v4.1

May 25, 2019 - Smart Cities Dive

Iowa State Flag

'Property Tax Transparency' Approved in Iowa

A new law, signed by Governor Kim Reynolds this week, will require extra steps of local officials before they can raise property taxes in the state of Iowa.

May 25, 2019 - Cedar Rapids Gazette

Philadelphia, Pennsylvania

Philadelphia Could Hit the Brakes on Housing

With bills on the table to update its zoning code, Philadelphia may be poised to slow the pace of its housing construction.

May 24, 2019 - Philadelphia Inquirer - Philly.com

Accessory Dwelling Unit

How One Town Solved its ADU Regulation Challenges

Against opposition, the town of Durango, Colorado has successfully found a way to permit accessory dwelling units and legalize those that already existed under the radar.

May 24, 2019 - CityLab

Colorado

Zoning Changes Produce Quick Development Results in a Colorado Town

In September, the city of Longmont, Colorado approved new land use and zoning laws. By April, developers were proposing thousands of residential units and hundreds of thousands of square feet in commercial space.

May 23, 2019 - Times-Call

Queens, New York City

New York Almost Ready to Move on From Failed Amazon Plans

The city of New York has made initial moves toward developing a plan to replace the failed Amazon Headquarters development in Long Island City, Queens.

May 23, 2019 - Politico

Grocery Stores

New Grocery Chain on the Block Offers an Alternative to the Walmarts of the World

If you haven't heard of Aldi yet, you probably will soon.

May 22, 2019 - CNN

Jefferson Memorial

2019 ParkScore Rankings Now Available

The trust for Public Land today announced the 2019 ParkScore rankings.

May 22, 2019 - The Trust for Public Land

Geno's Steaks

Streets in Dense Urban Areas Safer Than Suburban 'Stroads,' Study Finds

A new study considers urban form, roadway characteristics, traffic collisions, and fatalities in the Philadelphia region, to show that the densest parts of regions are the safest places to drive and walk.

May 22, 2019 - PlanPhilly

High Line park NYC - Manhattan - New York City

Study: How Beauty Is a Boon for Cities

Richard Florida discusses a study finding a range of connections between a city or neighborhood's aesthetic appeal and its economic health.

May 22, 2019 - CityLab

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.