Land Use
California Transit Agencies Bring Affordable Housing to Scale
From developer incentives to swapping parking for housing units, two transit systems have come up with plans that tackle the region's housing shortage and its economic inequality. What have they agreed to do, and who will hold them accountable?
Google Maps Erases Publically Owned Open Spaces
Where's the green?
Big Agriculture Mergers Raising Antitrust Alarms
At risk with industry consolidation like a proposed merger of Bayer and Monsanto, is the environmental impact of the business, along with the financial impact on farmers.
Land Use Changes Allow for Development Wave Near the Texas Medical Center
New leadership at the Texas Medical Center in Houston, along with new land use covenants, is paving the way for unprecedented development in the highly trafficked area.
Crowds of Pedestrians Prompt Lombard Street Study
San Francisco is looking for ways to manage—and protect—the masses of tourists who want to walk "the World's Crookedest Street."
A Message to Suburban Counties: Invest in Transit or Get Left Behind
An op-ed directs a pointed pro-transit message to Gwinnett County near Atlanta.
Sweeping Parking Reform Approved in Oakland
The City Council of Oakland, California has approved a far-reaching reduction of parking requirements.
Lack of Zoning Leaves Houston Neighborhoods Vulnerable to Pollution
Houston doesn't compare well with other cities when it comes to locating polluting industrial uses near residential neighborhoods. Blame the city's lack of zoning, according to new research.
Pedestrianizing Melbourne's Swanston Street: A Weekend to Remember
In the mid-1980s, a tug-of-war over the future of one of Melbourne, Australia's most important streets took place with those wanting full pedestrianization realizing their vision for one brief, shining moment.
The Secrets of Plano's Success
With a string of successes in downtown revitalization under its built, Plano, Texas is looking to duplicate that model elsewhere around the city.
How a Cartoon Enabled Meaningful Parking Reform in Ottawa
Want parking reform without tears?
The Bootstrapping Success of Roanoke, Virginia
Roanoke, Virginia offers a lesson in grassroots economic development for "small, out-of-the-way cities everywhere."
If Housing Affordability Is Top Concern, Let Metro Regions Sprawl
Research from BuildZoom, a San Francisco-based contractors' website, shows that housing affordability increases with a region's ability to build outwards, as opposed to upwards. Densification largely has not accompanied efforts to curb sprawl.
Denver Will Ban Suspected Drug Users From City Parks
The American Civil Liberties Union is not pleased with the potential civil rights infringement enacted by a new directive by Denver Parks and Recreation.
'Growing for Chicago' Wins Federal Grant to Explore Urban Agriculture Innovations
Growing for Chicago will use the $1 million Conservation Innovation Grant from the U.S. Department of Agriculture to examine a "cohort-based" model for urban agriculture.
Rebuilding Civic Spaces: Going Small To Get Big Results
A $40 million investment is being split between four cities—Memphis, Chicago, Akron, and Detroit—with the hopes of making big impacts for the community by revitalizing and/or repurposing exiting civic spaces.
Roads Not Taken: Reimagining a Different Seattle
In 1851 the City of Seattle could have been a vastly different place if alternative development decisions had been made that took the original inhabitants, nature, and topography into consideration.
D.C.'s Comprehensive Zoning Update Takes Effect
After nine years of controversy, the District's first zoning revamp since 1958 is officially on the books.
The Big Representation Gap in Austin's Regional Planning
The names and faces occupying decision-making positions in the Capital Area Metropolitan Planning Organization do not reflect the names and faces of the people they are meant to represent.
A Proposed List of the 'First Principles of Urbanism'
The chief policy officer of Google's Sidewalk Labs proposes six first principles of urbanism to frame the potential impact of technology on urban environments.
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.
Caltrans
City of Fort Worth
Mpact (founded as Rail~Volution)
City of Camden Redevelopment Agency
City of Astoria
City of Portland
City of Laramie
