Land Use

Proposal Dreams of New York Development Connecting Island to Mainland

The Center for Urban Real Estate unveiled a proposal to connect Lower Manhattan and Governors Island with landfill to spur development in the area. The connection would generate $16.7 billion of revenue for the city, the center estimates.

November 23, 2011 - The New York Times

Does NYC Have Room for Engineers?

New York needs the more of such talent, according to officials. Gina Bellafonte reflects on where the city stands now in terms of its tech talent in light of the city's recent proposal request for a large, elite tech school somewhere in the city.

November 23, 2011 - The New York Times

Thinking About Pedestrians, Bicylists, and Transit Users

Getting transportation professionals to think about including pedestrians, bicyclists, and transit users is a key first step in creating great places and livable communities. Thank “complete streets” movement, which has taken the U.S. by storm.

November 22, 2011 - Project For Public Spaces

CMG Landscape Architecture CEO on Multiple New Projects

Kevin Conger is CEO and one of the founding partners of Conger Moss Guillard (CMG) Landscape Architecture. A recent redevelopment project was labeled as a "climate positive." Conger explains how it meets those standards along with other projects.

November 22, 2011 - THE DIRT

African Urban Planning Gets an Upgrade

An interview with Nancy Odendaal, who is spearheading an effort by the Association of African Planning Schools to reform planning education across the continent.

November 22, 2011 - The Atlantic Cities

New Orleans Homeowner Finds Coffins in Backyard

Vincent Marcello intended to build a swimming pool in his backyard, which is built on top of the city's oldest burial grounds. 15 coffins have been excavated so far.

November 22, 2011 - The Times-Picayune

Hearst Corp Planning To Redevelop San Francisco Block

Hearst Corporation is planning to redevelop the city block that surrounds its San Francisco Chronicle offices at 5th and Mission. The update would include a new mixed use tower containing 1.3 million square feet of commercial space.

November 22, 2011 - SF Gate

Where the Hipsters Go

Good planning is attracting young hipsters to cities throughout the world, writes Christopher F. Schuetze.

November 22, 2011 - International Herald Tribune via New York Times

LA Street Slips Into The Pacific

Heavy rains Sunday afternoon exacerbated a subsiding roadway in the L.A. suburb of San Pedro, leaving gaping holes and exposing plumbing and other infrastructure housed beneath the street.

November 21, 2011 - Los Angeles Times

Pocket Parks Coming to Los Angeles

Last week, Mayor Villaraigosa presented his vision for a more livable L.A., including the addition of fifty pocket parks.

November 21, 2011 - The Los Angeles Times

Property Rights, Growth Boundaries Issues at Long-Range Planning Meeting

Locals expressed fear and resistance over a revision to Chattanooga, Tennessee's urban growth plan.

November 20, 2011 - Chatanooga Times Free Press

Redfining Planned Communities

They're no longer totally synonymous with sprawl, reports Lew Sichelman, and are beginning to be found in in unlikely places--indicative of a move to brownfield over greenfield development. Changing consumer preferences explain why.

November 20, 2011 - Chicago Tribune

Fort Collins Shakes Up the Planning Paradigm

Like many cities, Fort Collins, CO is cash-strapped, but its plans are no longer dominated by handling sprawl. With development pressure out of the picture, a democratic blueprint for connecting residents to culture as well as space has emerged.

November 20, 2011 - The New York Times

Does Living in a Poor Neighborhood Harm Your Health?

A study conducted by the Department of Housing and Urban Development in the 1990s found that living in poor neighborhoods can actually hurt your health.

November 19, 2011 - TheCityFix.com

How - and Where - Should We Live?

A new report predicts how - and where - we'll be living in the near future, and where planners and developers should focus.

November 19, 2011 - The Atlantic Cities

The Marginalization of Jane Jacobs and Women Planners

Roberta Brandes Gratz writes that "When we talk about strategies for city growth and economic development, women aren't often offered seats at the table." Jacobs was the exception, and represented a challenge to male-dominated planning.

November 18, 2011 - The Atlantic Cities

Bicycle Users Take Action Into Their Own Hands

In 2007, Mexico City's government promised that it would build 300km of bike lanes around the city by 2012. According to Jimena Veloz, "the city still only has 22.2 km because most money is allocated to car infrastructure."

November 17, 2011 - This Big City

Planning's Limits and Strengths Identified at NYC Zoning Conference

Though held in recognition of zoning's 50th anniversary, the conference details future social, economic, and environmental challenges. Raymond Li reports on both the positive and negative points of discussion brought up on Tuesday.

November 17, 2011 - International Business Times

Chicago to Upgrade Their River System

Notification from the EPA has allowed Chicago to adopt new standards that "will help to further the transformation of the Chicago river system from sewage canal to valuable recreational and economic asset," says Regional Administrator Susan Hedman.

November 16, 2011 - Environmental Protection

ASLA Seeks A More Sustainable D.C.

For Washington D.C., ASLA polled members to develop a new "comprehensive framework" connecting sustainability with economic development.

November 16, 2011 - American Society of Lanscape Architects

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.