Land Use

The Evolution of Retail Centers
Catalytic developments initiate economic and cultural improvements.

Planning Through the Eyes of a Big City Mayor
Salt Lake City Mayor Erin Mendenhall joins the Planning Commission Podcast to talk about housing, street reconfiguration, and saving the largest saltwater lake in the Western Hemisphere.

Edmonton to Revise Zoning Code
Proposed changes could help spur more housing development in the Canadian city and encourage density increases in residential neighborhoods.

Cincinnati First City in Ohio to Legalize Accessory Dwelling Units
The Queen City achieved an historic day for planning in the state of Ohio.

The Maintenance Gap in Tree Planting Programs
Tree planting is a highly visible way to show investment in a community, but without regular maintenance, street trees can become a nuisance rather than a benefit.

Why Is Silicon Valley So Bleak?
The built environment in one of the most affluent places in the country leaves much to be desired. Why are Silicon Valley communities missing so many key urban features?

Improving Communities Through Soccer
LEGO has partnered with the U.S. Soccer Foundation to create a new safe place for kids to play soccer and gain life skills in Albuquerque, New Mexico.

New York Could Legalize Rapid Delivery Hubs
Criticized as ‘dark stores,’ the warehouses for quick-delivery services have been popping up around the city.

L.A. Approves ‘Park Block’ Program
Inspired by Barcelona’s superblocks, the program aims to limit car traffic in small areas to improve safety and create new park spaces.

Survey: Zoning Codes Holding Back Office Conversion
A survey of developers and architects found that many of them find it hard to meet demand for office conversion due to local regulations and zoning restrictions.

Revisiting ‘Third Places’ as a Pandemic Recovery Tool
In Chuck Wolfe's latest piece on downtown recovery for GeekWire, he proposes revisiting a multifaceted ‘third place’ agenda as a focus for downtown recovery.

Group Urges L.A. to Build Housing on Vacant Lots
A survey of city-owned vacant lots identifies properties that could be developed into affordable housing or shelter.

Lessons From People’s Park
The University of California, Berkeley faced bitter opposition to new student housing. What does this mean for universities—and for democracy?

Arizona ‘Car-Free’ Neighborhood Nears Opening
Culdesac Tempe bans personal cars in exchange for access to scooters, bike facilities, and free transit. Is that enough to reduce car ownership in auto-centric Arizona?

Boise Approves First Zoning Code Update in 60 Years
A comprehensive update of the city’s zoning code aimed at making housing more affordable and promoting sustainable growth received unanimous support from the city council.

A ‘New Urbanism’ Travelogue
I visited three New Urbanist developments in North Carolina. Here's what I liked, what I didn't like, and what I learned.

What Caused the Failure of Zoning Reform in Colorado?
Land use reform bills that gained bipartisan support in the Montana legislature were strongly opposed by Colorado Republicans.

The Effort to Plug Pennsylvania’s Abandoned Oil Wells
Hundreds of thousands of defunct oil wells litter the state, leaking dangerous substances and often hidden under parking lots, buildings, or covered over by vegetation.

Queens Hospital Site Could Provide 3,000 Affordable Housing Units
Local residents are calling for the redevelopment of a mostly abandoned 55-acre psychiatric hospital complex into affordable housing.

Examining Oregon’s Unique Land Use Laws
Since the 1970s, the state has taken a comprehensive approach to development, regulating land use and urban growth at the state level.
Pagination
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.
New York City School Construction Authority
Village of Glen Ellyn
Central Transportation Planning Staff/Boston Region MPO
Chaddick Institute at DePaul University
Institute for Housing and Urban Development Studies (IHS)
City of Grandview
Regional Transportation Commission of Southern Nevada
Toledo-Lucas County Plan Commissions