Land Use
Planetizen Week in Review: June 17, 2016
A two-minute-and-twenty-three-second tour of the news and events from the week in planning.
San Antonio Completes Draft Comprehensive Plan—Annexation Questions Loom Large
The question of whether the city of San Antonio should annex some or all of five potential areas is overwhelming the political debate about the city's recently released draft comprehensive plan.
10 of the Most Beloved Open Streets Events
Mike Lydon shares ten of his favorite open streets events with USA Today.
Barcelona 'Superblocks' Aim to Cut Down on Cars
Seeking relief from noise, pollution, and incessant traffic, the city of Barcelona has a bold plan to repurpose street space. "Superblocks" will route cars around the perimeter, leaving interior streets open for walkers and bikes.
Los Angeles City Council Approves LAX Northside Plan
340 acres of vacant property, granted by the Federal Aviation Authority in the 1970s and 1980s, has a new vision for the future.
Report Finds Increasing Popularity of 'Walkable Urban Places'
The Foot Traffic Ahead 2016 report, by Smart Growth America and The George Washington University’s Center for Real Estate & Urban Analysis ranks cities based on their walkability.
660 Acres Donated to Pittsburgh to Become City's Largest Park
The city of Pittsburgh is celebrating the conveyance of 660 acres of property known as Hays Woods. The property will one day become the largest park in the city.
More Common Ground Sought for the 'Future of Suburbia'
A review of the recent "Future of Suburbia" event held at the Center for Advanced Urbanism at the Massachusetts Institute of Technology.
Comparing Property Tax Rates for 100 U.S. Cities
The Lincoln Institute of Land Policy has released its annual comparison of property tax rates around the country, adding new wrinkles of analysis for this year's edition.
Las Vegas to Consider New 30-Year Downtown Master Plan
The Las Vegas City Council will consider a new Downtown Las Vegas Master Plan this week.
Pilot Project Transforms Vacant Lots Into Bioretention Gardens
A pilot project combining the brain power and political will of the Detroit’s water department, Land Bank Authority, and the University of Michigan recently completed the first of four vacant lots into beautiful and functional bioretention gardens.
Massachusetts Moves Zoning Reform Bill Forward
An update to the state's zoning laws—the first update of its kind since 1975—is moving forward through the Massachusetts Legislature.
Planetizen Week in Review: June 10, 2016
A two-minute-and-thirty-five-second tour of the news and events from the week in planning.
A New Ally in the Fight Against Car-Centric Planning in Dallas: TxDOT
The Texas Department of Transportation (TxDOT) has envisioned a future for Downtown Dallas that includes more downtown and fewer freeways.
Philly Developer Must Comply With Zoning Deal Before Tenants Can Occupy Luxury Units
City officials in Philadelphia are scrambling to deal with the fallout after a developer suddenly backed out of a deal that allowed additional height in exchange for affordable housing units for a 250-unit development near the Delaware River.
Bay Area Election Roundup: Wetlands, Housing, Ballot-Box Planning, Sales Tax
A regional measure to tax all property owners in the 9-county Bay Area to adapt to sea level rise passes; S.F. voters support raising the affordable housing bar; Richmond voters reject ballot-box planning; San José approves sales tax increase.
The International Sprawl Tax
Compared with European averages, U.S. and Canadian residents spend 30-50 percent more money and time on transport due to dispersed, automobile-dependent development.
California’s Messy Code Hinders Housing and Climate Goals
It’s time to rewrite California’s building and planning codes for the 21st century, says architect Mark Hogan.
Stop Saying 50 Percent of Humans Live in Cities
The idea that half the world's population has moved to cities, with more coming soon, misses a fundamental fact about cities: many of them are actually suburbs.
Austin Sends Big Planned Unit Development Back to the Drawing Board
The Austin Parks and Recreation Department put the proposed Grove at Shoal Creek Planned Unit Development on a short timeout earlier this month, but only to negotiate final details of the massive project.
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
