Land Use

Food Trucks

Food Trucks, Already an Industry Force, Set for More Growth

A new report details the state of the mobile food vending industry and makes predictions for the short-term future.

December 17, 2018 - Next City

San Diego Gaslamp District

A Transit-Oriented Parking Reform Proposal in San Diego

Under a new plan proposed by the mayor of San Diego, new developments in transit-rich parts of the city would no longer require parking.

December 17, 2018 - Voice of San Diego

Beach Homes

Oregon to Consider Statewide Ban of Single-Family Zoning

Legislation in Oregon would follow the lead of Minneapolis in overturning single-family zoning—for all cities in the state with more than 10,000 residents.

December 15, 2018 - Willamette Week

Bay Area Wetlands

EPA and Army Corps of Engineers Propose Revision of Wetlands Definition

Fulfilling a promise he made as a candidate, the Trump administration proposed a redefinition of what is classified as a wetland, with the result being the loss of federal protection of millions of acres of waterways and wetlands.

December 14, 2018 - NPR

California Streetcar

Gas Stations, Other Car-Centric Uses Banned From Transit-Oriented Areas in Sacramento

The city of Sacramento has implemented one of the most aggressively transit-oriented land use regulation schemes in the country.

December 14, 2018 - The Sacramento Bee

Brazil City

How Many People Live in Cities? The Answer Isn't Obvious

The measures of urbanization vary widely, and the differences pose a challenge in developing policies and plans for cities.

December 14, 2018 - CityLab

San Francisco Apartments

Recent Parking Reform: Start of a Wave of Change?

The range of cities that have recently removed parking mandates could help motivate others that are eyeing new parking policies.

December 14, 2018 - Sightline Institute

Wildfire

California Fire Chief: Consider Ending Development in Fire Prone Areas

When will California listen to the experts and stop building in fire prone areas? Not today.

December 13, 2018 - Associated Press via KCRA

Greenwich Village, Manhattan

The Sweet Smell of Density? Subconscious Influences on Perceptions of Urban Form

Michael Hooper of Harvard University writes about a recent article in the Journal of Planning Education and Research

December 13, 2018 - JPER

New York Street

Thumbs Down to Planning Rules of Thumb

In planning, a number of common principles of practice are widely accepted. However, an alternative set of guidelines can better serve as information and decision-making tools.

December 11, 2018 - City Commentary

Ontario, Canada

A More Complete Picture of the 'Smart City' Plans in Toronto

The game changing redevelopment proposed by Sidewalk Labs for the Toronto waterfront district of Quayside took new shape recently after the company presented an updated draft of its plan.

December 11, 2018 - Curbed

Tejon Ranch

Wildfire Risks Make Southern California Development a Gamble

The Tejon Ranch development would bring thousands of homes to a highly fire-prone area in L.A. County.

December 10, 2018 - Los Angeles Times

Stone Arch Bridge

Putting a Bow on Top of the Minneapolis 2040 Comprehensive Plan

The City Council overcame a last minute legal challenge to approve the Minneapolis 2040 Comprehensive Plan late last week.

December 10, 2018 - Star Tribune

Washington

Suburbs Encouraging Accessory Dwelling Units

Renton, a suburb of Seattle dealing with skyrocketing housing prices like many of the communities in the region, is allowing new density in residential neighborhoods in the form of backyard cottages.

December 8, 2018 - Crosscut

Cincinnati Over-the-Rhine

Residential Parking Permits for One of Cincinnati's Hottest Neighborhoods

Residents are looking for more reliable parking as Over-the-Rhine continues to boom.

December 7, 2018 - Cincinnati Enquirer

San Francisco Municipal Transportation Agency

That's Mixed-Use: Housing on Top of a Bus Yard

San Francisco could try a new trick to help kill two birds with one stone.

December 6, 2018 - San Francisco Examiner

Seattle

Judge Upholds Seattle's Housing Affordability and Livability Agenda, Clears the Way for Upzoning

Since a city judge determined the legality of the long controversial Housing Affordability and Livability Agenda, Seattle has been able to move forward with the plan to allow new density around the city.

December 6, 2018 - The Seattle Times

Los Angeles

How Residential Architecture Got So Cookie Cutter

While it's fun to tease about the architectural shortcomings of most newly constructed urban residential buildings in the United States, the causes of its ubiquitous sameness reveals the depths of the country's housing crisis.

December 6, 2018 - Curbed

Minneapolis Buildings

Updated: Last Minute Opposition to Minneapolis 2040 From Environmental Groups

A coalition of opposition groups claims that density is bad for the environment, and that the Minneapolis 2040 comprehensive plan should be stopped.

December 6, 2018 - Star Tribune

Chelsea

Walkable City Rules: A Detailed Guide to Walkability

Jeff Speck's new book not only makes the case for narrow, walkable streets, but also provides more detailed guidance for specialists.

December 5, 2018 - Michael Lewyn

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.