Land Use

Twin Cities Hope to Regulate (and Tax) Airbnb in Time for the Super Bowl
The Twin Cities have a super-sized incentive to nail down regulations for short-term rentals. A tax revenue windfall hangs in the balance.

Take an Online Tour of Historic Prince George's County, Maryland
You don't have to be a fan of Prince George's County to be a fan of the historical maps and geographic insight on the online Prince George's Atlas.

The 100 Most Influential Urbanists
These are the people that have had the most influence on the places and environments that we call home.

The Mason-Dixon Line Is Turning 250 Years Old
The traditional dividing line between north and south will celebrate a major birthday this weekend.

The Case Against Front Lawns
A writer collects evidence from pop culture, literature, and more in painting a portrait of the American relationship to front lawns—crabgrass and all.
Parking Strategies for Comprehensive Plans
Parking needs to be balanced with new development that supports active modes of transportation, integrates a complete streets approach, and values a high-quality public realm. Comprehensive plans can help achieve this balance.

The 2017 'Great Places in America'
The American Planning Association's annual list celebrates the best urban planning and design from around the country.

New Development, Open Space Set to Clash in Louisville Again
The Covington by the Park development proposal is back. The developer has revised previously stalled plans for a conservation subdivision on Louisville's eastern edge.
Google Headquarters Expansion Trips Near the Finish Line
Negotiations between the city of Mountain View and tech giant Google over the latter's plans to expand its headquarters recently took a strange turn.

Opinion: Forget Zoning, Houston Needs a Floodplain Ordinance
Zoning might not have saved Houston from Harvey, but a strong floodplain ordinance would have, according to an opinion piece published in the Houston Chronicle.

San Bernardino County Launches New Online Permitting System
The processes for planning and permitting development and construction projects are moving online. A Southern California county provides the latest example.
Seattle Councilmember Wants a Temporary Development Moratorium While Rezoning Proceeds
The vision for Aurora-Licton Springs includes more pedestrian-friendly housing developments—not the drive-in businesses, recycling and solid waste, vehicle sales, and mini-storage business that currently get permitted and built.

Two Simple Sentences Could Reshape Suburban America
A seemingly innocuous sentence embedded in almost every subdivision ordinance across the United States has disconnected neighborhoods and made cities unwalkable. Two sentences could change that.

San Jose Sets Target for 25,000 New Housing Units in the Next Five Years
The mayor of San Jose's newly announced housing plan would include 10,000 affordable units.

At Least One Paterson Councilmember Is Skeptical About Plans to Revitalize Great Falls Area
What should a local elected leader do when he or she disagrees with a high-profile expenditure with support from on high?

Property Tax Relief for Longtime Residents Impacted by Gentrification
The city of Lexington in Kentucky is looking for ways to insulate long-time residents from rising property tax bills.
High Speed Rail Transforming California's Housing, TOD Conversation
The California Legislature took steps to address the state's housing crisis this year, but housing activists might look to the Governor's High Speed Rail project to provide a link to affordable housing in the Central Valley.

New York Updating its Flood Resilience Zoning
New York City intends to make sure that zoning codes are a tool for preventing the risks of flooding.

'Atlanta City Design' Book Makes a Plan for Equity
Two of the most prominent planners in Atlanta have released a book to help set an agenda for equity as the city grows in the next two decades.

Planning Director Susan Anderson Separates Fact from Fiction in Portland(ia)
Planetizen's "Planners Across America" series continues in the city that put many contemporary best planning practices on the map: Portland, Oregon.
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.
City of Fort Worth
planning NEXT
Mpact (founded as Rail~Volution)
City of Camden Redevelopment Agency
City of Astoria
City of Portland
City of Laramie