Land Use

Suburban Seattle

Everett's New Downtown Plan Ready for Scrutiny

A public hearing offers a chance to analyze the zoning changes proposed by the "Metro Everett" downtown plan.

June 7, 2018 - The Urbanist

Seattle Mixed Use Development

There's a Hole Where Ground-Floor Retail Should Be

Mixed-use developments still often operate better in theory than in reality.

June 7, 2018 - Strong Towns

Gowanus Canal

Draft Rezoning for Gowanus Released

Planners in New York City released the latest in a series of rezonings of New York City neighborhoods.

June 7, 2018 - Crain's New York Business

Gateway Arch

Design Review: Revamped Gateway Arch an Urban Success

Pulitzer Prize-winning critic Blair Kamin assesses the remodeled Gateway Arch in St. Louis, prior to its big public opening on July 3.

June 7, 2018 - Chicago Tribune

Hurricane Harvey

Buying Flood-Prone Houses an Expensive Proposition in Texas

Harris County has a home buyout program, designed to reduce the amount of residents living in flood-prone homes. But when it comes to home buyouts, a lot of money goes a little way.

June 6, 2018 - Houston Chronicle

Downtown Boston

Boston to Launch New Downtown Plan

The Boston Planning & Development Agency will hire consultants to craft a vision for its rapidly changing downtown.

June 6, 2018 - The Boston Globe

Don't Forget the Green Benefits of Accessory Dwelling Units

Accessory Dwelling Units (ADUs) don't just help mitigate housing supply and affordability issues, they also offer significant sustainability benefits.

June 6, 2018 - Sightline Institute

Car Share

300 Parking Spaces in New York City Now Saved for Car Share Companies

The city is implementing a pilot program that prioritizes shared cars.

June 4, 2018 - The New York Times

Seattle

Seattle Planning Director Pursues Equity Amid a Pro-Growth Agenda

An interview with Seattle Planning Director Sam Assefa for the latest installment of the "Planners Across America" series.

June 4, 2018 - Josh Stephens

Cleveland Warehouse District

Study: Unbundle Parking for the Most Effective Transportation Demand Management

A new study by Mobility Lab makes a strong case for unbundling parking from rent to inspire more sustainable transportation choices.

June 3, 2018 - Mobility Lab

Milwaukee Riverwalk

A Flurry of Expansion Plans for Milwaukee Arts Institutions

Buoyed by a strong economy and robust fundraising, a wide variety of arts institutions in Milwaukee want to remodel or relocate to new buildings. Here's a look at some of their plans.

June 1, 2018 - Urban Milwaukee

Empty Main Street

Are Vacancy Taxes a 'Blunt Instrument'?

A number of cities are considering hiking up taxes on vacant properties. But does that actually lead to a reduction in blight?

June 1, 2018 - Governing

Point Dume

Landowners Restrict Access to California Beach

A homeowners group has successfully moved to severely limit public access to the beaches of Hollister Ranch, a 14,500-acre parcel to the west of Santa Barbara.

June 1, 2018 - The Los Angeles Times

Utah

The Nation’s Fastest Growing Town Needs More Water

Cheap water flows freely to the golf courses of St. George, Utah, but all the new residents mean it’s going to have to increase supply or reduce demand—or both.

May 31, 2018 - CityLab

George Washington Bridge

New York City Debuts Regional Mapping Tool

The Metro Region Explorer allows the public new kinds of understanding about the city of New York and how it fits into the surrounding region.

May 31, 2018 - Next City

St. Louis, Missouri

First-Of-Its-Kind Artist Housing Project Moving Forward in St. Louis

An innovative project in St. Louis' will revitalize the underinvested Gravois Park neighborhood while delivering housing options to creative types.

May 31, 2018 - nextSTL

Home Sold Sign

Redfin CEO Laments Frustrated Homebuyers, Low Inventory

The U.S. has become a "landlord nation," says Redfin CEO Glenn Kelman. His analysis: fiercely-defended restrictive local zoning laws have cut off supply, dividing those who own from those who rent.

May 30, 2018 - GeekWire

Brooklyn Brownstones

High-Rise Proposal Next to Brownstone Brooklyn Sparks Debate

80 Flatbush, a major high-rise development combining apartments, offices, and community amenities, lies at the center of ongoing debate between YIMBYs and neighborhood character advocates.

May 30, 2018 - Crain's New York Business

Marlyand

Maryland's Floods a Terrible Tragedy, and a Sign of More to Come

The sprawling, asphalt communities of U.S. cities, built as a result of mid-20th century planning, will meet terrible consequences during the extreme weather events of climate change.

May 30, 2018 - Slate

Central Park

Lago Approaches New York City as a 'City of Neighborhoods'

The latest installment of the "Planners Across America" series features New York City Planning Director and Planning Commission Chair Marisa Lago.

May 29, 2018 - Josh Stephens

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.