Land Use
Famous in Car Culture, Route 66 Resurfaces as a Destination for Bicyclists
The beauty of a ride along Route 66 can be appreciated as much from behind a set of handlebars as from behind a steering wheel. Sarah Laskow reports on efforts to create U.S. Bike Route 66 as the first national bike route.
How NYC Became a Planning Wunderkind
Julie Iovine praises the Bloomberg administration's entrepreneurial spirit in remaking New York City, but fears what might come next.
Rethinking the Factory Town to Meet America's Affordable Housing Needs
Is the return of the factory town the solution to jump-start new housing construction? Myron Curzan and Janet Lowenthal propose a plan for developing housing that caters specifically to workers stuck in between affordable and median housing.
Marching Orders Suggested for Toronto's New Chief Planner
As Toronto's new chief planner Jennifer Keesmaat made the media rounds last week, her deft comments left local urbanists drunk on the possible. As the city's boosters sober up, John Lorinc recommends two chief priorities that must be tackled.
High-End Real Estate Makes Wildfires Worse
In Colorado and the West, the most desirable real estate is also the most likely to burn, writes Michael Kodas.
Bringing Market Analysis to the Public Planning Process
In an op-ed for New Geography, Skip Preble argues why communities can benefit from incorporating market analysis and financial modeling techniques into their planning processes.
Home Bible Study + Zoning Codes = Prison
A Phoenix man serves time for holding prayer gatherings in his home, part of what attorney and author John W. Whitehead sees as a larger trend toward zoning out home services.
Manhattan Plans to Expand its Waterfront Renaissance
Not to be outdone by its neighboring boroughs across the East River, Manhattan is hoping to embark on an upgrade to its eastern waterfront. Tyler Silvestro has the details.
Could a Toll Road Boost Maine's Economy at the Cost of its Identity?
Katharine Seelye writes on the clash between business interests and residents of rural Maine, where a proposed private toll road has revealed a difference in values.
Does Conservation Development Actually Work?
Emily Wortman-Wunder looks at the effectiveness of conservation development - a popular tool used by planners across the rural West for the purposes of preserving open space.
Is Density Inherently Desirable?
Kaid Benfield wades into the density debate by pointing out that density and sprawl can go hand in hand.
Generational Divide Opens Gap in Post-Tsunami Planning
The Economist looks at the generational gap that is hampering efforts to rebuild tsunami-stricken communities in Japan, as the elderly favor restoring what was lost as soon as possible, and the young seek sustainable revitalization.
India Encourages Monster Master Planning Effort
Planners in search of work might want to consider looking in India. As Nate Berg reports, the Indian government is hoping a new technology initiative will catalyze master planning efforts in 7,935 cities and towns across the country.
New Jersey Charts its Future Growth, Angering Environmentalists
In producing updated sewer service maps, New Jersey's 21 counties have partnered to sketch out statewide development well into the future. Critics complain that the plans favor developers over the environment, reports Jill P. Capuzzo.
Brooklyn Looks Gift House in the Mouth
Brooklyn Bridge Park's privately funded field house proposal, complete with Olympic-class velodrome, faces criticism over its size, effects on the surrounding neighborhood, and arguments over open space versus space for sports facilities.
Farmers Markets Continue Healthy Growth Across America
Philip Bump reports on new data out this week that shows the number of farmers markets increased by 10% in the past year.
Paris to the People
Angelique Chrisafis delivers the fantastic news that, after more than four decades of auto dominance, Paris is returning its riverfront to its people in a "pedestrian 'reconquest' of the banks of the Seine."
The Community-Building Power of Communal Gardens
Planted to solve a perceived food desert problem, urban gardens are harvesting more than just fresh, nutritious food. Neighborhoods surrounding gardens are seeing surprising declines in violent crime.
Can the Los Angeles River Reclaim a Starring Role?
From its mountain tributaries, to the San Fernando Valley, through Downtown, and across the basin into the Pacific Ocean, Christian MilNeil tells the story behind the ecological and recreation rehabilitation of the Los Angeles River.
FREE Course: Walkable City 1: Why Walkability?
After describing his path towards focusing on walkability as the essence of good planning, Jeff Speck marches through his five principal reasons for making more walkable places.
Reinventing Malls: Planning Alchemy—Turning Gray Fields Into Gold
The course focuses on the opportunities and imperatives that shape reinvention of mall sites.
City of Rosemead
Rutgers University, Edward J. Bloustein School of Planning and Public Policy
One Hundred Miles
University of Michigan School for Environment and Sustainability (SEAS)
Hunter College, City University of New York (CUNY)
The Architects Foundation
City of Cambridge
Montrose County
The Pocatello Development Authority
