Land Use

Protests Push O.C. to Kill Its First Real Plan to Help the Homeless
The affluent county finally authorized a concrete plan to address a housing crisis, but forceful opposition from residents put them 'back to Square One.'

2018 Planning Excellence Awards Announced
The APA revealed their annual recognition of the best of the best for planners and planning in 2018.

Governor Cuomo Wants Broad Powers to Redevelop Around Penn Station
The idea is still extremely speculative, but reports are that Governor Cuomo is pushing for legislation that would enable broad powers for the state to redevelop around Penn Station in New York City.

Upzoning of Seattle's Single-Family Zoning Called a 'Disappointing Half-Measure'
A critical analysis of a proposal that would incrementally increase density in parts of Seattle.

A Call to Broaden the Definition of 'Real Planning'
Deland Chan, a lecturer in the Urban Studies program at Stanford University and co-founder of the Stanford Human Cities Initiative, makes the case for a bigger tent for planners and planning.

How One Lake Erie Town Got Free Waterfront Property for Public Use
Clear communication and a fair trade let Euclid, Ohio begin to rethink its lakefront—and its future.

Houston's Latest Stormwater Project: 'Massive, Underground Tunnels'
The most recent post-Harvey proposal would mean the city could endure enormous rain events, but so far it's not clear who would pay for it.

Minneapolis Draft Comprehensive Plan Revealed
The city of Minneapolis is deploying many of the most contemporary planning tools as it works toward approval of the Minneapolis 2040 plan.

Surface Parking Lots Making Way for Higher Uses
Are the urban revival and the future of mobility already rendering parking lots obsolete? Chicago provides a case study of a new generation of skyscrapers rising were cars once parked.

Rezoning Approved in the Bronx
A plan to rezone a stretch of Jerome Avenue in the Bronx is the fourth rezoning completed during the tenure of Mayor Bill de Blasio, and the first to visit the Bronx.

Allegheny River Town Debates Fracking Water Treatment Plant
Opponents cite environmental risks, supporters hope the facility will boost the economy of a struggling community.

Competition, Debt Faulted in Bankruptcies of Two Major Food Retailers
Two major grocery store companies announced bankruptcy this week, sparking fears that the "retail apocalypse" has expanded to food retailers.

Lessons from a Six-Hour Hearing on Planning and Zoning
A recent debate in Washington, D.C. echoed common concerns about the planning process in cities around the country.

Travis Kalanick Getting Into the Redevelopment Business
The former CEO of Uber, a highly controversial figure in urbanism circles, is still trying to influence the future of the built environment in a new post as CEO of a real estate investment startup.

Op-Ed: Philadelphia City Council Shouldn't Be Able to Block Bike Lanes
The Philadelphia Inquirer Editorial Board pushes against a proposed bill that increases City Council oversight of new bike lanes. Traffic calming, the Inquirer argues, requires a citywide approach.

How a Change in the Definition of 'Cellars' Could Downzone Much of Washington, D.C.
The D.C. Zoning Commission will revisit a proposed text amendment to the District Zoning Code in April.

Mapping the Law of the Land: Curbside Access
More uses and modes than ever are fighting for curb space in growing cities. Here's an app to make sense of what you can do, and when, along this valued real estate.

Why Are the Feds Suddenly in Favor of Raising the Shasta Dam?
Despite state opposition and potential violations of California law, the Trump Administration has revived a project that was deemed impracticable only a few years ago.

Celebrating the 'Greenspace Gems' in the Cincinnati Region
An advocacy organization in the Tri-State area (Ohio, Kentucky, Indiana) is raising awareness about the region's 116,000 acres of preserved greenspace.

New Mexico Made Streams and Rivers Private Property
And now those property owners are putting barbed wire over the river to keep out "trespassers."
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Learn the tools for implementing Universal Design in planning regulations.
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Transportation Research & Education Center (TREC) at Portland State University
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