Land Use

Paying a Premium to Live on New York City's Shortest Streets

One-block streets are, often one-way and without sidewalks, are home to some of New York City's desirable residences.

November 5, 2014 - New York Times

Santa Monica Pier Parking

Places for Parking, Not People, in Santa Monica, California

After noting the heated rhetoric that surrounds development in Santa Monica, especially during election season, Jason Islas reveals claims of the city's overdevelopment to be true—if we're talking about cars.

November 5, 2014 - Santa Monica Next

Nuisance Sign

When Nuisance Suits Are a Nuisance

In one Texas case, homeowners are suing a new apartment building for nuisance. If such suits become common, infill development will become less common, causing higher rents and more citywide vehicle traffic.

November 4, 2014 - Michael Lewyn

Washington D.C. Row Houses

Height Limits as a Catalyst for Development

Charles Marohn proposes height limits as a catalyst for development. Yes, you read that correctly.

November 3, 2014 - Strong Towns

Grand Rapids The Rapid

How Grand Rapids Became a Transit Success

Rachel Dovey shares some of the secrets to the success of Grand Rapids, Michigan after a year of transit improvements in the small city.

November 2, 2014 - Next City

Plans for a $35 Million Rail-to-Trail Conversion in South Los Angeles

A blighted abandoned rail corridor through South Los Angeles received funding to plan a rail to trail conversion. Can residents compel officials to complete the sorely needed open space facility?

October 29, 2014 - KPCC

Marshaling a Grab for Public Land in the Western United States

Faced with the prospect of states seizing control of federal lands to potentially sell to private owners, a resident of New Mexico argues against "the land grab out west."

October 28, 2014 - The New York Times

Charlotte Suburbs Plan for Balanced Growth

Although growth in Union County outside of Charlotte has subsided, county officials aim to balance a legacy of unplanned growth with new opportunities for commercial development and countywide transportation.

October 27, 2014 - Charlotte Observer

Wild Detroit

$3.2 Million Bid for 6,000 Foreclosed Properties in Detroit Auction

Karin Weise reports that an anonymous bidder will pay $3.2 million to purchase 6,000 foreclose homes in Detroit.

October 27, 2014 - Business Week

Miami Considers Ending Parking Minimums on Transit Corridors

Notoriously car dependent Miami will consider a zoning code amendment exempting small multi-family developments within a quarter mile of transit corridors from parking minimums.

October 27, 2014 - Miami Herald

Recalling Our Basic Pride of Place

In the fifth of his "place-decoding" series from France, Chuck Wolfe recalls how we carry with us the ability to mine pride from place, even in places that are, perhaps, least expected to shine.

October 25, 2014 - The Huffington Post

Opportunities Found for Redesign of Philadelphia's Famed JFK Plaza/LOVE Park

As the redesign for LOVE Park begins, Ashley Hahn reminds us of the park's role in supporting and maintaining civic life in the city of brotherly love.

October 24, 2014 - PlanPhilly

Los Angeles Embraces Urban Agriculture

A motion passed earlier this month calls for landowners to receive tax breaks for leasing vacant property for agriculture and farming.

October 23, 2014 - The Los Angeles Times

Could the Silver Spring Transit Center Get a Park After All?

Developments in a story from earlier in the year—the Washington Metropolitan Area Transit Authority is receptive to the ideas of local political leaders for a park near the beleaguered Silver Spring Transit Center.

October 23, 2014 - The Gazette

Student Housing Developments Provoke Down-Zoning in Philadelphia

The Philadelphia City Planning Commission approved a series of bills to implement portions of the Lower North District Plan. Although the bills include downzoning, planners believe the area's vacant land is sufficient to bear new development.

October 23, 2014 - PlanPhilly

Green Belt

Green Belts Cure Sprawl, Cause Problems

Touted as a solution to mindless suburban expansion, the vast green belts around U.K. cities create new challenges. Among them: less affordable housing, longer commutes, and dubious environmental benefits. What happens if these spaces get developed?

October 22, 2014 - The Guardian

San Jose Arterial Street

How Often Do Cities Mandate Smart Growth?

A recent Mercatus Institute paper addresses the frequency of minimum density regulations, maximum parking requirements, and similar regulations.

October 21, 2014 - Michael Lewyn

Report Collects and Shares Lessons from New York's Land Banks

Practical lessons and best practices will be helpful in empowering land banks to curb the spread of blight, foreclosures, and abandoned properties.

October 21, 2014 - Center for Community Progress

Big Ideas Drive 'planOKC' Effort in Oklahoma City

One of the country's largest cities has been growing quickly and will continue to grow—how is Oklahoma City planning for the future?

October 20, 2014 - The Oklahoman

An Evolving Houston Plans for its Future

Houston is preparing for a new wave of population growth by preparing a comprehensive plan. The question is what kind of city Houston wants to be.

October 20, 2014 - Architect

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.