Land Use

RLUIPA and the Mosque-Building Controversy

The recent controversies surrounding the building of mosques in cities across America have their resolution in one simple acronym: RLUIPA.

September 6, 2010 - The New York Times

The Urban and Civic Impact of Daniel Burnham

A documentary airing nationally on PBS today looks at the work of Daniel Burnham and the emergence of the urban planning profession.

September 6, 2010 - Architectural Record

Skaters Vs. The Dead

No, it's not a teen zombie movie -- a skate park planned for Miami is causing an uproar because of its proposed location, adjacent to the historic Miami Cemetery.

September 5, 2010 - The Miami Herald

The Vicious Cycle of Adding Capacity for Cars

Dan Bertolet argues that adding expanding car capacity in cities just inspires more people to drive and ruins the qualities that make the city attractive in the first place.

September 5, 2010 - Publicola

Temporary Autonomous Zones Alter Public Space in The UK

The increase in outdoor music festivals, guerrilla gardening, temporary restaurants, cinemas and pop-up shops are all examples of "a growing appetite for transforming our apparently prosaic, profit-led landscape into something else."

September 4, 2010 - The Guardian

Pedestrianism a World Cup Legacy in Cape Town

Pedestrianism is on the rise in Cape Town, South Africa, where the recent World Cup has inspired more citizens to get out of their cars and put their feet on the street.

September 4, 2010 - The Christian Science Monitor

The Year of the City at Burning Man

The annual arts festival Burning Man is underway in Northwestern Nevada. This year's theme of Metropolis highlights the event's city-like nature.

September 3, 2010 - Next American City

A Little Bit of Venice in New Orleans

The waters that have for so long plagued New Orleans should be reconsidered as an amenity, not a curse, according to this commentary.

September 3, 2010 - Bloomberg

"Temporary" Parks Get Approved Easier

Heather Smith talks with urban designer Andres Power about his work creating parklets within the San Francisco Planning Department.

September 3, 2010 - Metropolis Magazine

Meet the Geeks Re-Shaping D.C.

Planning nerd bloggers like David Alpert of Greater Greater Washington are finding that they can have significant influence in the world of D.C. planning and development.

September 2, 2010 - Washington City Paper

Redefining a Planning Department

The L.A. Department of City Planning is experiencing radical changes in leadership, planning process, and organizational structure. The leaders--past, present, and, future--of planning in L.A. gathered in August to discuss a vision for the future.

September 2, 2010 - The Planning Report

Suburban Living With Urban Amenities

Bill Fulton visits his family in Rockville, Maryland, and discovers that a young family looking for suburban space can find it within walking distance of the library, the Metro stop, and mixed-use development.

September 1, 2010 - California Planning & Development Report

Growing Pains in Livable Singapore

Singapore, one of the world's most livable cities, is facing a population boom that some say will give the city a crowded and unpleasant future. Recent weather-related destruction highlight some of its growing pains.

September 1, 2010 - Yahoo

London's Not-So-Super Cycle Highways

This Big City takes a ride on one of London's new bicycle Superhighways, and finds some room for improvement.

August 31, 2010 - This Big City

Finalists Chosen in Redesign Bid for Decommissioned Airport

Six finalists have been chosen in a bid to redesign Berlin's decommissioned Tempelhof Airport. The airport is currently open as a park, but the city wants a more formal redesign.

August 31, 2010 - Der Spiegel

The Economics of China's Mega Traffic Jam

The recent 11-day traffic jam in China was no fluke. As The Economist explains, the crushing congestion is little more than a real-world example of imbalances in supply and demand.

August 30, 2010 - The Economist

Bike Lanes Make Streets Safer for Pedestrians

A new study from the New York City Department of Transportation shows that streets with painted bike lanes are 40% less dangerous for pedestrians, among other findings.

August 30, 2010 - Tri-State Transportation Campaign

Will Atlanta Grow No More?

Citing three examples of growing pains in Metro Atlanta, this piece wonders whether the region is incapable of efficiently growing any further.

August 30, 2010 - The Economist

Best Apps for Building and Construction

Houston Neal from Software Advice picks the best apps for construction, from carpentry and electrical calculators to design tools like REVIT and Google SketchUp.

August 29, 2010 - Software Advice

The Legacy of L.A.'s Former Planning Director

Gail Goldberg recently left the helm of the City of Los Angeles' City Planning Department. AIA Los Angeles takes a look back at her four-year tenure and the positive impacts she made.

August 29, 2010 - AIA Los Angeles

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.