Land Use

Housing Construction

Comparing Housing Permits Around the Sun Belt

It might not come as a surprise, but the Sun Belt cities permitting fewer new single-family homes are the Sun Belt cities permitting fewer new homes.

May 19, 2016 - The Urban Edge

Denver Golf Course

Denver Stormwater Plan Ruffles Feathers

The Platte to Park Hill project would install new stormwater detention facilities at a golf course near Downtown Denver. Opponents to the project say it’s a burden on the neighborhood and a benefit to development interests farther down the watershed.

May 19, 2016 - The Denver Post

Toronto Bike Locks

New Ten-Year Bike Plan Proposed in Toronto

Toronto planners have proposed a new ten-year bike plan that focuses on connecting and improving the city's current network of bike infrastructure.

May 19, 2016 - The Toronto Star

San Francisco STreetcar

Uber Partners With San Francisco Landlord to Subsidize Car-Free Tenants

A large development in San Francisco would limit parking spaces by paying for its tenants to go car free. Uber is paying part of the bill.

May 18, 2016 - The Verge

Toronto Streetcar

Meet the Avatars Helping to Plan Toronto's Downtown

Introducing a group of 16 avatars meant to represent the people who live, work, and play in downtown Toronto.

May 18, 2016 - Toronto

Creative Placemaking: Lead, Follow, AND Get Out of the Way

For governments and institutions, creative placemaking means knowing when to let go. Scott Doyon explains.

May 18, 2016 - PlaceShakers

Suburban Rowhouses

The Suburban Future

It's not a popular viewpoint, but what if suburbs end up being more critical to a sustainable and efficient future than dense urban areas?

May 17, 2016 - Smithsonian Magazine

Glenwood Green Acres, Philadelphia

Taking Urban Agriculture For What It Is

New research suggests urban agriculture’s biggest yields are social, cultural, and educational.

May 17, 2016 - Take Part

Downtown Miami

Miami's Form Based Code Touted as New Urbanist Ideal

Miami 21 overhauled an 80-year old zoning code and replaced it with a New Urbanist-style form-based code that many credit as being the key to changing development in the city.

May 14, 2016 - Governing

Walmart

Investigation: Walmarts Abuse Local Police Force Resources

An investigation by the Tampa Bay Times finds Walmart stores treating local police forces like their own personal security forces.

May 13, 2016 - Tampa Bay Times

trax light rail train in foreground, snow-covered mountains in background

Cities Discovering the Limitations of Half-Baked Rail Plans

Presenting less of an argument against transit than an argument for good transit and land use planning, Streetsblog surveys some of the country's worst performing rail lines.

May 13, 2016 - Streetsblog USA

Floyds Fork Louisville

Louisville Builds a Green Ring Around the City

For the second time in its history, Louisville completed an ambitious and massive park planning and design process on its suburban fringe. The fringe today is just a bit farther out than it was in Olmsted's day.

May 13, 2016 - Next City

San Francisco Coit Tower Construction

When Does Inclusionary Zoning Go Too Far? San Francisco Might Find Out

In June, San Francisco voters will consider a ballot initiative that will raise the affordable housing requirement of the city's inclusionary zoning from 12 to 25 percent. Even housing advocates are concerned Proposition C might go too far.

May 12, 2016 - CityLab

Vancouver

A Love Letter to Vancouver

With so many people writing "Dear John" letters to Vancouver, in addition to high-demand cities around the world, one group of planners and urban designers responds with a love letter.

May 12, 2016 - Modus

Los Angeles Smog Skyline Zoom

The Role of Planning in Fixing Los Angeles' Development Woes

Globe St. featured an exclusive interview with Gail Goldberg, executive director of the Urban Land Institute, Los Angeles Chapter, and former planning director of Los Angeles and San Diego.

May 12, 2016 - Globe St.

Governors Island

The Leadership Behind the Rebirth of Governors Island in New York

Leslie Koch, the president and chief executive of the Trust for Governors Island, in the Hills on Thursday. After leading the trust for a decade, she is announcing her retirement.

May 12, 2016 - The New York Times

Accessory Dwelling Unit

Digging Into D.C.'s Zoning Code Changes for Accessory Dwelling Units

Washington, D.C. approved a long-awaited new zoning code in January. Greater Greater Washington digs into one of the new code's more substantive changes: more permissive regulations for accessory dwelling units.

May 11, 2016 - Greater Greater Washington

London Houses

The New Mayor of London's Housing Manifesto

Newly elected Mayor Sadiq Khan created a housing manifesto while on the campaign trail. Its support of affordable housing development would be unique on this side of the pond.

May 11, 2016 - BBC

East River

Meet New York City's First Regional Planning Director

A city planning office with a regional focus? Such a rare beast is real in New York City. There's even a new leader at the helm of the operation.

May 11, 2016 - Politico New York

Houston

Planning in Houston: No Longer an Oxymoron

Houston, Texas, adopted its first general plan called Plan Houston late last year. Plan Houston covers everything from economic development to education to public health to arts and culture.

May 10, 2016 - Next City

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.

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.