Land Use

Black Friday Is A Case Study On Why Parking Minimums Are Ridiculous
At most big box stores, the parking lots occupy far more land than the stores themselves, sucking up unnecessary resources from our communities.

Is a 'Bright Lights District' a Good Fit for Atlanta?
Brightly lit pedestrian and commercial districts like Times Square and Shibuya Crossing in Tokyo are some of the most famous urban environments in the world. But that doesn’t mean they work in every city.

Land Use Planning for and by Indigenous People
A new book examines the potential for coexistence between indigenous people and the post-development ethos of 21st century planning practice. Canada and Australia provide the case studies, but surely U.S. planners should also heed these lessons.

Pruitt-Igoe May Finally Get New Development
A new owner and the proximity of the renovated National Geospatial-Intelligence Agency Headquarters may signal a change in fortunes for North St. Louis

Limitations on Rural Sprawl in Maryland Nixed
Changes in state law that rolls back regulations on septic systems could spark more residential sprawl in Maryland's rural areas.

Former Ford Plant in St. Paul Taking Shape as a Massive Mixed-Use Development
A long-awaited plan for the former Ford plant along the Mississippi River is now open for public comment.
Extracting the DNA of the Most Loved Places
The first step of character-based zoning is extracting local DNA. Hazel Borys reviews Tucson's highlights for Sonoran Desert inspiration.
Making Better Retail Districts in Seattle
Ryan Packer argues that Seattle could do more to improve its retail districts by updating its building codes to encourage dense, welcoming shopping districts.

Medicinal Marijuana to Catalyze Zoning Changes in Philadelphia
The Philadelphia Planning Commission voted to recommend several changes to the zoning code, including changes to allow for the selling and growing of medicinal marijuana.
California's New Accessory Dwelling Unit Having an Effect in Monterey
The city of Monterey has been compelled by a new state law to loosen prohibitions on accessory dwelling units after failing to so earlier in the year.

The Maps That Explain D.C.'s Comprehensive Plan
Comprehensive plans can be big and unwieldy. Luckily for Washington, D.C., there are two maps that unlock of the plan's meaning.

A New Normal Needed on the Streets Around Trump Tower
With no signs of the protests outside of Trump Tower going away, Nicole Gelinas has a suggestion for Mayor Bill de Blasio.

The Vision for a Revitalized Downtown in Akron, Ohio
It's been a busy year for planners in Akron, Ohio. The most recent accomplishment is the completion of phase 1 of the Downtown Vision and Redevelopment Plan.

Surprise: Cleveland's Public Square Won't Reopen to Buses After All
The plans for the renovation of Cleveland's Public Square took years to finalize and evolved several times along the way to delivery. Now one final decision will impact bus transit in and around the city.

The de Blasio Administration Stays Firm on Waterfront Rezonings
Despite its ambitious housing targets, the de Blasio Administration isn't willing to sacrifice more of its prime industrial spaces, and the jobs they bring, in the name of residential development.
Big New Subdivision Approved Along Virginia's U.S. 29 Corridor
A 277-acre development got the rezoning it needed to go from single-family housing to mixed-use outside of Charlottesville, Virginia.

East Harlem Rezoning Could Bring 7,500 New Apartments
Planners released new details of a proposed rezoning on the East Harlem neighborhood in New York City.

How Good Planning Remade the Santa Fe Railyard
A planner reflects on one of New Mexico's great planning successes, the Santa Fe Railyard.
The $40 Million, Voter-Approved Park Bond That Never Happened
Voters in Cobb County, Georgia, overwhelmingly prioritized parks and green space back in 2008. Cobb County commissioners', however, are still acting to quell those intentions.

Walkable Cities Change Behavior, All Over the World
Study finds people walk more in denser cities with more parks no matter what their country of origin.
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 Camden Redevelopment Agency
City of Astoria
Transportation Research & Education Center (TREC) at Portland State University
Regional Transportation Commission of Southern Nevada
Toledo-Lucas County Plan Commissions