Land Use
Virginia Takes First Tentative Steps toward Climate Change Adaptation
A combination of environmental factors exposes Virginia’s coastal dwellers to some of the nation’s most severe climate change-related hazards, yet the state has almost zero plans for adaptation. Could that be about to change?
State Lands Commission Sues to Overturn San Francisco's Prop B
Not so fast, San Francisco Prop B (the approved measure requiring voter approval for projects exceeding height limits along the waterfront). The State Lands Commission has a legal bone to pick.
Bill Would Require Affordable Housing in Sales of Public Land in Washington D.C.
"A DC Council committee voted…to require developers to include affordable housing any time they buy land from the city for residential development," reports Jenny Reed.
A History of Bi-Partisan Anti-Urbanism
Although recent studies and controversies such as Agenda 21 make anti-urban politics seem like a right wing commodity, a new book details the implications of a long history of bi-partisan anti-urbanism.
Economic Growth without the McMansions—Is America Ready?
Henry Grabar beckons the death of the McMansion, calling it an "American embarrassment" with no easy solution for planners.
The Perils of Whimsy: Bookshelf Reveals Community Dysfunction
A small town in Kansas exposed itself to ridicule not so long ago with their crack-down on a Little Free Library. Their problem goes a good bit deeper than clunky enforcement.
Palo Alto Exploring 'Net Zero' Vehicle Trip Restriction for Commercial Developments
Palo Alto, one of the suburban cities at the center of the Silicon Valley tech boom, is considering a Comprehensive Plan Update. On the table for the Planning and Transportation Commission: a "net-zero" restriction for new vehicle trips.
Surveying Innovative Bike Parking Solutions
Writing for Woodhouse, Mike Clay leads a worldwide tour of the most innovative bike parking technologies and facilities.
Philadelphia Zoning Board Called Out for 'Municipal Dysfunction'
Ryan Briggs reports on the state of the Philadelphia Zoning Board of Adjustment—although zoning reform was a promise of Mayor Michael Nutter's administration, Briggs finds that inconsistency and mysterious politics still mar the board's decisions.
A Conservative Argument for Conservatives to Support New Urbanism
A prominent conservative blogger cites James Howard Kunstler, Edmund Burke, and Joan Didion in making the case for New Urbanist ideals of place, despite the stigma in conservative circles.
Building 'Mixed-Use Industrial' to Spur Economic Development
Ilana Preuss writes for Smart Growth America about the opportunity to integrate small-scale industrial uses into development—what's called mixed-use industrial real estate.
Innovative Transportation Systems Require Innovative Transit Oriented Developments
As new transportation systems continue to emerge and gain popularity, the sacred cows of land use and transportation planning require radical new thinking, according to Gabe Klein.
Why Foreign Money is Irrelevant to Increasing Density
While concern over foreign investment in the local real estate market is perfectly valid, the concern is irrelevant to the reasons and need to increase density and the supply of housing.
Density is Key to Fighting Climate Change, Rules Bay Area Judge
A group that coined the term, "stack and pack" to deride density and its role in reducing carbon emissions lost in court when the judge rejected their argument that only technological improvements in cars and fuels were necessary to reduce emissions.
Thriving in the New Zombie Future: Business as Usual Planning for the Zombie Apocalypse
A satirical post welcomes the metaphorical zombie state experienced by humans in the modern built environment as the path of least resistance for a literal, future zombie state.
Grand Canyon Development Plans Opposed by National Park Service
Two projects proposed for the South Rim plateau of the Grand Canyon have raised alarms at the National Park Service, who see a serious threat from impacts to the views, water supply, and ecology of the canyon.
Detroit Reaping Economic Development Benefits from Urban Farming
Urban farming has taken root as Detroit transforms. Now, farmers and entrepreneurs must continue to find new ways to profit from the city's new farming business model.
More Disincentives for Driving Required for Philadelphia to Achieve 'Greenest' Status
Philadelphia's Mayor Michael Nutter has set a policy goal of becoming the "Greenest City in America," but the city's lack of progress in reducing automobile use is a troubling obstacle to such a lofty goal.
Planners Express Frustration with Inertia in Los Angeles
"Whither planning in Los Angeles?" Sam Hall Kaplan seeks to find out.
Broad, Controversial Land Use Regulations Proposed for Mississippi River through Minnesota
After a failed attempt at similarly broad land use regulations failed in 2011, the Minnesota Department of Natural Resources is again undertaking an outreach process to create land use regulations along 72 miles of the Mississippi River.
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
City of Camden Redevelopment Agency
Municipality of Princeton (NJ)
Regional Transportation Commission of Southern Nevada
