Land Use

Small-scale, temporary interventions in urban space have brought the concept of "pop-up" projects into the civic space of cities.

July 26, 2011 - The Globe and Mail

A comic book is helping municipal employees in Brazil to understand how to catalog land for the collection of property taxes.

July 26, 2011 - At Lincoln House

For a city of over 16,000 people per square mile, less than 7% of Hong Kong's land is designated for residential use. Subdivided apartments - aka "coffin units" - totaling 150 square feet aren't uncommon, reports The Wall Street Journal.

July 26, 2011 - The Wall Street Journal

Looking at "urban acupuncture", a recent movement that eschews massive urban renewal projects in favor of smaller interventions.

July 25, 2011 - The Guardian U.K.

Not that it's a real surprise that trees clean the air, but a new study shows that greenery in cities can have a significant effect on air quality.

July 25, 2011 - TheCityFix.com

Amid the dissolution of Borders bookstores in urban centers, Chuck Wolfe urges policymakers and the private market to assure "no let loss" in the spirit of natural resource protection to assure third places remain available in American cities.

July 25, 2011 - Sustainable Cities Collective

Kaid Benfield shares this video from the Robert Wood Johnson Foundation that includes audio and video of Jane Jacobs, a rarity.

July 23, 2011 - SustainableCitiesCollective

An interview with REBAR design collective, creators of PARK(ing) Day, about using humor and absurdity to advance ideas for improving cities.

July 23, 2011 - Next American City

Jon Geeting of Nazareth Patch says that something fishy is happening in the township of Lower Macungie as megaproject is approved on 600 acres of farmland.

July 23, 2011 - Patch

Zoning codes that mandate a certain number of parking spaces for businesses that serve on-site alcoholic beverages are inconsistent with law enforcement's campaign against drunk driving, says Eric de Place.

July 22, 2011 - Sightline Daily

Using a federal grant, New York City is studying the effects of a highway teardown not just on transportation but on housing, jobs, park access and quality of life.

July 22, 2011 - Streetsblog

Companies are moving back to the city in response to a new generation of workers who prefer the urban environment over suburban office parks.

July 22, 2011 - CNN Money

In a post at Project for Public Spaces, a politician from Spokane, WA is quoted as saying the way municipal governments could spur job growth is by building public spaces where people want to live, work, shop and invest.

July 21, 2011 - Project For Public Spaces

July 21, 2011 - Amber Hawkes

Bicycle use has increased in many parts of New Orleans, thanks to new bike lanes.

July 21, 2011 - Metropolis

A new public park in downtown Phoenix is both a venue for artists and performers and a public space that calls to mind a small neighborhood park, according to this piece from Next American City.

July 21, 2011 - Next American City

Though much of its urban form requires a car to traverse, a few new projects in Miami are shifting the city away from its past of parking lot sprawl.

July 21, 2011 - Wallpaper

Cities plan to cut off individual parking garages is a gamble, says Josie Garthwaite in National Geographic -- yet making it impossible to park is one of the few yet most effective tools that reduces driving.

July 20, 2011 - National Geographic

A set of recommendations for changes to land-use regulations in Seattle is being highlighted by Mayor Mike McGinn as a way to both create sustainable neighborhoods and jobs. One of the authors of the recommendations explains.

July 19, 2011 - Crosscut

Plans are emerging to revamp the public space surrounding Philadelphia's 30th Street train station to create a more vibrant way to enter the city.

July 19, 2011 - The Philadelphia Inquirer