Land Use
On Plans That Turn Out Like News Years’ Resolutions
A Dallas area writer finds parallels between the city’s planning processes and the New Years’ resolution practices of most human beings.
Case Study: Denver's Accessory Dwelling Units
Since a zoning code change in 2010, the city of Denver has added 66 accessory dwelling units in a city of 650,000.
Philadelphia Searches for a Place to Feed the Hungry
Urban planning challenge: where to site a large tent for serving meals to the homeless in a revitalizing part of Philadelphia.
Three Big Planning Projects on the Way in Northern Virginia
Big things are expected from planners in Northern Virginia this year.
'Homeowner-Friendly' Zoning Changes Proposed in Staten Island
Proposed zoning changes would allow residents to build "as-of-right" in Staten Island's "natural" districts.

Study Finds Strong Evidence that Parking Causes Driving
A new study presented at the Transportation Research Board Annual Meeting builds a strong case that parking causes driving.
Step Aside San Francisco: The Tech Industry Still Calls the Silicon Valley Home
You wouldn't be alone if you thought the tech industry had shifted its base of operations from the Silicon Valley to San Francisco. A new study of the tech industry's real estate footprint, however, reveals the South Bay's entrenched dominance.

What's So Urban About the Suburbs?
A new book makes the case for suburban urbanity.
Wise Use Movement Galvanizes Oregon Wildlife Refuge Occupation
In an news analysis for The New York Times Sunday Review, Alan Feuer sees the occupation of the Malheur National Wildlife Refuge in Harney County, Oregon as another struggle between the Wise Use movement, which began is the 1980s, and the mainstream.

Washington Port City Seeks To Attract Visitors With Wine Village
The Port of Kennewick, Washington, along the Columbia River, is hoping to combine some underutilized waterfront property and nearby wineries into a new attraction for wine lovers.
Even Homer Nods: Responding to Paul Krugman on Housing
New York Times op-ed columnist Paul Krugman, usually an astute observer, must have been having an off day when he made a completely incorrect assessment in his column on gentrification in New York City.
Oakland Eases Restrictions on Secondary Housing Units
Following the recent example of cities like Vancouver, Austin, and Berkeley, Oakland, CA recently made it much easier for residents to create secondary units, also known as accessory dwelling units.
Congress Increases Allotment for the Land and Water Conservation Fund
The funding allotment for the Land and Water Conservation Fund (LWCF) included in the Omnibus spending bill marked a substantial increase over previous years.
Pave Paradise and Put Up a 16-Mile Parking Lot—An Inventory of L.A. County Parking
A new study quantifies the amount of space devoted to parking in Los Angeles County—a figure that just begs to be visualized.
Marijuana Manufacturing Sets Up Shop in Denver's Communities of Color
Advocates are concerned that too many of Denver's new retail marijuana business are locating in neighborhoods with mostly minority and low-income residents.

Ranking Cities By Infill Developments
A list of the cities doing the most to build infill development, courtesy of Infill Score.
Checking In on the Buffalo Green Code
Buffalo Mayor Byron Brown provides insight into one of the nation's most significant planning efforts.

Walkable Winter Cities: Feasibility While Freezing
"It's too cold to walk here" is often the response to the subject of livability in northern climes. Hazel Borys hails from the third coldest city of its size on earth and talks walkable winter cities.
Change of Leadership for Los Angeles' Planning Department
Mayor Eric Garcetti has nominated Vince Bertoni to lead the Los Angeles Department of City Planning. Bertoni is currently the planning director of the city of Pasadena.
Study: Local land Use Regulations Segregate Metropolitan Areas
A new study reveals new understanding about how restrictive land use regulations in urban areas affect economic segregation across metropolitan areas.
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