Land Use

L.A.’s 30x30 Goals: Conservation and Restoration
Learn more about Los Angeles County's Parks Needs Assessment Plus (PNA+) which focuses on land conservation and restoration, regional recreation, and rural recreation to address climate change, protect biodiversity, and meet the needs of residents.

Charlotte’s New Zoning Code, Set to Launch in June, Faces Tough Tests
Faced with the challenges and controversies of rapid growth, Charlotte has approved a new comprehensive plan and unified development code in recent years.

Friday Funny: How Much Parking Does That Parking Spot Need?
The Onion takes parking requirements to their logical conclusion.

Examining Philadelphia’s Zoning Overlay Districts
A decades-old policy allowing hyperlocal zoning exemptions and restrictions creates a confusing patchwork of zoning regulations across the city.

Washington Cities Balance Housing Development and Tree Canopy
Cities like Seattle and Bellingham are working to increase housing density while also preserving urban trees and green spaces.

Baltimore Sets Guidelines for Permanent Parklet Program
With pandemic-era parklet regulations set to expire on June 30, the city is launching a new, permanent set of guidelines for outdoor dining and other uses of curbside space.

The City Beyond Amazon's ‘Great Return’
In GeekWire, Chuck Wolfe explains how, as the Amazon (and other) “Great Returns” to the office unfold, it's essential to dig deeper.

Los Angeles Finalizing Three Long-Awaited Community Plan Updates
Los Angeles is poised to approve a trio of long-planned zoning code updates—for the neighborhoods of Boyle Heights, Downtown, and Hollywood—as the first test cases for a new citywide zoning code update known as re:code LA.

Boise’s New Zoning Code Cleared for City Council Approval
The Boise Planning Commission gave its approval to a new zoning code for the city of Boise. The City Council is expected to consider the draft zoning code in June.

Bill Legalizing ADUs Passes Texas Senate
If passed by the full state legislature, the bill would eliminate local restrictions on ‘mother-in-law’ units.

Maryland City Reveals Draft Form-Based Code
With the new zoning code, Frederick aims to shift away from use-based zoning regulations.

Essay: Will America Ever Change its Urban Patterns?
If there has ever been a good time to change our urban patterns, the time is now.

Parking Lots: A National Treasure?
Did you know? The amount of public subsidies given to free parking far outweighs federal funding for the National Park Service.

North Carolina’s Triangle Faces Growing Pains
The region’s rapid growth and high housing costs are prompting a contentious debate over zoning changes that would boost density.

Upzoning Gutted From Colorado’s Statewide Housing Reform Effort
Colorado’s “More Homes Now” bill has been drastically reduced in scope and ambition, showing the contemporary zoning reform movement still has obstacles to overcome.

Wealthy Washington Neighborhoods Could Remain Untouched by Zoning Reforms
Neighborhoods with preexisting internal contracts are exempted from new legislation requiring all Washington cities to permit duplexes and other ‘missing middle housing.’

New York Mayor Proposes Zoning Amendments to Boost Housing Supply
After Governor Hochul’s statewide housing plan collapsed during budget talks, the city will weigh a series of zoning changes that could increase housing production and remove barriers to sustainability retrofits.

L.A. County's Regional Planning Commission Celebrates 100 Years of Service
The first planning commissioners were appointed by the Board of Supervisors in 1923, making the Regional Planning Commission the oldest county planning commission in the United States.

Lawsuit Challenges Arlington County Zoning Reforms
A lawsuit brought by residents charges the county with failing to follow statutory procedures and provide accurate information about recently passed ‘missing middle housing’ reforms.

New Vision for Southern California’s Great Park
The newly unveiled comprehensive plan includes a botanical garden, museums, and a 22-acre lake system.
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