Land Use

Seeking 'Opportunity Zones' Investments
The city of Louisville is making the most of the Opportunity Zone program in the early stages of the new federal program.

Urban Farming Program Struggles to Sprout
Los Angeles created a tax incentive to promote urban farms on the thousands of vacant lots around the city. So far, the incentive has been given out only four times.

San Francisco Could Zone Out Workplace Cafeterias
Large corporations providing on-site cafeterias are considered a threat to local restaurant business.

Study Critiques the Fiscal and Racial Consequences of Capping Property Taxes
A new report by the Center for Budget and Policy Priorities finds major flaws with property taxes in several states, and proposes a solution that could mitigate the least desirable consequences of limits to property tax increases.

City Planning Criticism at a Critical Point in Minneapolis History
A columnist presents criticisms and recommendations for both sides of the density debate as Minneapolis considers a new comprehensive plan.

Wanted: A Language to Reflect the Diversity of Suburbia
The suburb/city distinction is too general and prone to exceptions.

Curb Pricing Could Offer Big Benefits
Free on-street parking costs cities in lost land and additional traffic, cities could realize huge benefits if they value their curbs, Henry Garbar argues in Slate.

Not All Affordable Housing Shortages Are Alike
The city of Philadelphia shows that not all affordability crises are created with the same mix of supply and demand.

Parking Reform Gaining Steam in Downtown Cincinnati, Over-the-Rhine
A proposed Urban Parking Overlay District would end requirements for off-street dedicated parking in two of Cincinnati's busiest neighborhoods.

Seattle Suburb Plans its Civic Core
The city of Renton, Washington recently approved a Civic Core Vision and Action Plan.

Surprise: Department of Justice Fights for an Expanded National Monument in Oregon
The U.S. Department of Justice is fighting a lawsuit that would overturn a decision by the Obama Administration to expand the Cascade-Siskiyou National Monument in Southern Oregon.

A Progressive Voice from the Washington Department of Transportation
Roger Millar, secretary of the Washington Department of Transportation, critiqued the status quo of statewide approaches to transportation planning and investment.
Op-Ed: Cap Philly's 10-Year-Tax Abatement
Qualifying developments are eligible for a ten-year tax abatement in Philadelphia. These op-ed authors say the abatement doesn't work as anything other than a government payout.

Evidence of Race's Role in Land Use Decisions
Analysis of a city's zoning and land use decisions over seven decades reveals the role race plays in decision making.

Housing Crunch Provokes Debate in Boston Suburb
The city of Waltham, Massachusetts has added over 11,000 jobs since 2010, but only a few hundred homes. Developers see a prime opportunity, but city officials are reticent.

Carbon Offsets for Suburban Developments? The Courts Could Decide
The county of San Diego wants sprawling suburban developments to buy carbon offsets, billing the idea as a fix to the region's housing affordability crisis.

Hazelwood Green Mega-Project Taking Shape in Pittsburgh
A 178-acre parcel of land, a trio of powerful foundations as owners, and looming planning approvals—it's time to take a close look at Hazelwood Green.

Parking Lot Snafu Corrected in the Detroit Zoning Code
One unclear illustration almost reaped a $1 million reward for the Illitch family, owners of the Little Caesars Arena, the Detroit Tigers, and the Detroit Red Wings.

Optimism and Investment, Not 'Managed Decline," for the Rust Belt
Managed decline assumes that struggling cities will continue to struggle indefinitely. Is there a better way to plot neighborhood stabilization?

Berkeley Zoning Board Choose Current Gas Station Over Proposed Co-Housing Development
The Zoning Adjustments Board (ZAB) of one of the nation's most progressive cities has chosen a very conservative approach to new housing projects.
Pagination
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.
planning NEXT
Appalachian Highlands Housing Partners
Mpact (founded as Rail~Volution)
City of Camden Redevelopment Agency
City of Astoria
City of Portland
City of Laramie