Land Use

Irrigiation Channel

Water Situation Changes for Sprawling Phoenix-Area Development, Delayed by the Recession

The Phoenix metropolitan area is growing again, but the water supply isn't. Many development plans derailed by the Great Recession won't find it easy to start where they left off.

June 1, 2019 - Arizona Republic

Minneapolis, Minnesota

How the Middle Class Is Faring on Housing

While the middle class does not face the same kind of nationwide affordability crisis as low-income populations, geography and demographics are placing new stress on middle-income households.

May 31, 2019 - Brookings

Seaside Entrance

New Urbanism and Jacobs: A Tangled Disconnect

New Urbanism was in part born of the criticisms of 20th century planning principles popularized by Jane Jacobs, but Jacobs infamously derided the new school of thought.

May 31, 2019 - Fanis Grammenos

South Philadelphia Gentrification

One Response to Gentrification: Banning Bay Windows and Balconies

Neighborhoods in Philadelphia are undergoing rapid, unprecedented change. Proposed legislation would ban the architectural signifiers of that change.

May 31, 2019 - The Philadelphia Inquirer

New York Subway

Why New York's Transportation Infrastructure Costs So Much

It's been remarked upon before. Infrastructure in New York City is a cost nightmare compared to other global cities. Accountability is lacking, Josh Barro writes, but MTA also suffers from an "institutional lack of power."

May 31, 2019 - Intelligencer - New York Magazine

Interstate Highway

After a Failed Freeway Plan, Alternatives Prove Controversial

With plans to extend California's 710 Freeway off the table, cities in the path have been awarded funds for alternative road projects. But residents of San Marino aren't all on board.

May 30, 2019 - Pasadena Star News

McMAnsion

Zoning Changes Would Mean More Granny Flats and Fewer McMansions in Seattle

Is this a two-birds-with-one-stone situation?

May 30, 2019 - The Seattle Times

North Berkeley BART Station

Plans for TOD Housing at Berkeley BART Station

The city is behind plans to turn parking lots around the North Berkeley BART station into much-needed housing.

May 29, 2019 - Next City

New York Diner

Nighthawks No More: N.Y.C. Diners Face an Uncertain Future

Diners are part of social and cultural landscape of New York City, but many are closing as owners contend with increasing development pressures.

May 29, 2019 - The New York Times

Fruit Trees

Nation's Largest Public Food Forest Gets a Chance to Grow in Atlanta

A new 7-acre public food forest is part of an initiative to ensure every resident of Atlanta has access to fresh food by 2021.

May 29, 2019 - Curbed Atlanta

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

FREE Course: Walkable City 1: Why Walkability?

After describing his path towards focusing on walkability as the essence of good planning, Jeff Speck marches through his five principal reasons for making more walkable places.

Reinventing Malls: Planning Alchemy—Turning Gray Fields Into Gold

The course focuses on the opportunities and imperatives that shape reinvention of mall sites.

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.