Land Use

Report: Downzoning Fails Demographics on Chicago's Northside

Lakeview, on the North Side of Chicago lost one percent of its total households between 2000 and 2011, while its population grew 11 percent. That means more families, but according to a new report, the neighborhood might need new zoning to keep up.

April 19, 2015 - Chi.Streetsblog

Report Assesses Expressway Removal Options for the Toronto Waterfront

A recently released report makes the case for removing, in part or in full, an elevated span of roadway along the Toronto Waterfront.

April 19, 2015 - The Toronto Star

Zoning Code Update Sparks Vocal Opposition in Santa Monica

The liberal, affluent enclave of Santa Monica is infamous for its controversies over growth policy. A proposed Zoning Ordinance Update (ZOU), currently under consideration by the City Council, has struck a nerve.

April 17, 2015 - KPCC

Should a Parking Lot in D.C. Be Saved in the Name of Historic Preservation?

In the wealthy community of Spring Valley, just inside the western boundaries of the District of Columbia, residents are opposing a proposed development by claiming the site—a parking lot—is a historic landmark.

April 17, 2015 - Washington City Paper

'Lincoln Hub': A Polka Dot Makeover for Chicago Intersection

The intersection of Lincoln Ave, Southport Avenue, and Wellington Avenue in the South Lakeview neighborhood of Chicago is in the process of a major upgrade in pedestrian-friendly placemaking.

April 16, 2015 - Chi.Streetsblog

Sacramento Legalizes Urban Agriculture and Micro Farms

Located in California's fertile Central Valley, Sacramento is ideally situated to integrate local farming into its urban fabric.

April 15, 2015 - Seedstock

Social Media Outcry Paves the Way for On-Street Parking in Oklahoma City

Social media outcry has altered the street configuration of Harvey and Hudson avenues in the rejuvenated neighborhood of Midtown in Oklahoma City.

April 15, 2015 - NewsOK

Details about ParkDC—Washington, D.C.'s Performance Parking Program

As the District Department of Transportation (DDOT) quickly approaches the May target for the launch of ParkDC, Greater Greater Washington takes a closer look at what the performance parking program will entail.

April 15, 2015 - Greater Greater Washington

Study Examines the Importance of Planning by States and Nation-States

With so much focus on local planning in recent years, what opportunities are there for planning at the state and nation-state level? A new study by the Lincoln Institute of Land Policy examines case studies from the United States and Europe.

April 14, 2015 - At Lincoln House

Philadelphia Jewelers' Row

Luxury Condos Versus Philadelphia's Jewelers' Row

Downtown gentrification threatens to displace skilled artisans in a district where workshops go back five generations. Some of the jewelers own their premises, but the rewards for building pricey condos are tempting.

April 14, 2015 - Philadelphia Inquirer

Farmland 'Blight' to Make Way for Industrial Uses Near Portland

Looking to add some industrial heft to the Portland, Oregon region's economy, a recent study makes the case for the North Hillsboro Industrial Area to be built on what is currently farmland.

April 14, 2015 - The Oregonian

Smartphone car

Boston Parking Meters to Get Smart

Over the next two years, Boston will replace its old parking meters with new ones connected to the internet. With this groundwork in place, pay-by-phone parking is the next step.

April 14, 2015 - BetaBoston

'Stay Hungry. Stay Foolish.'—the DNA of Urban Succession

Don't design for the climax condition if today's marketplace supports something less—and other urban succession ideas.

April 14, 2015 - PlaceShakers

NYC Subway Construction

Why Are New York Transit Projects So Expensive?

Going back to Robert Moses, New York City has a history of underestimating the price of major construction projects. Inflated infrastructure costs are prompting stakeholders to seek out root causes.

April 13, 2015 - Capital

Rooftop Solar Panels

Seattle Eco-District Fosters Green Development

In a bid to knit sustainability into large-scale community development, Seattle's Capitol Hill EcoDistrict is exploring several avenues toward greener land use.

April 12, 2015 - ASLA The Dirt

Idiot brigade

More on the Cost of Anti-Growth Policies

As urban centers start making better sense for a digital economy, NIMBY policies might be worth re-examining. In addition to driving up the cost of housing, they may compound inefficiencies and slow down the economy.

April 12, 2015 - The Economist

Planned City

Are Asia's Planned Cities a New Colonialism?

While they look clean and green on the drawing board, Asia's planned developments might be nothing more than cloned commercialism set in concrete. By undermining local culture, this 'smart city' approach may also prove unsustainable.

April 12, 2015 - The Global Urbanist

Queens New York

Iconic Queens Clock Tower Anchors 915-Foot Skyscraper

In a complex saga involving the MTA, an 88-year-old tower, and a planned 77-story apartment behemoth, affordable housing may be first to fall by the wayside.

April 11, 2015 - New York Times

09di1527-28

Louisville Builds Food Hub 2.0

Unlike conventional food hubs, Louisville's planned $50 million FoodPort will gather and 'incubate' regional food businesses. The hope is to breathe life into the area's struggling small farms.

April 11, 2015 - CityLab

The Fear Factor Behind the Success of Shared Streets

An editorial explains that the fear inspired by shared streets—the idea that pedestrians, bikes, and cars have equal claim to navigate the street without the regulatory layer implemented by traffic engineers—is exactly why they work.

April 11, 2015 - The American Conservative

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.