Land Use

Teens Need Walkability

One blogger makes the case for walkable urbanism, in the context of the social and physical well-being of adolescents specifically.

March 5, 2009 - Greater Greater Washington

Designing a Memorial Befitting Burnham

The author of this article expresses their concern for a potential Daniel Burnham memorial that does little to represent his ideas--or good planning.

March 4, 2009 - Chicago Tribune

In Ancient City, Conservationists Can't Help Sprawl's Effects

Ninevah, one of the world's most endangered heritage sites, is deteriorating due to recent development and urban sprawl, say officials.

March 3, 2009 - The Christian Science Monitor

What Lies Ahead for Las Vegas

This article looks at what the end of sprawl will mean for Las Vegas.

March 3, 2009 - Las Vegas Sun

Another Modernist Plaza Reimagined

Philadelphia's Dilworth Plaza is another modernist civic construction that didn't live up to the architect's utopian ideals. A new design aims to create a more park-like atmosphere and improve transit access.

March 3, 2009 - The Philadelphia Inquirer

Bay Area Continues To Grow - At Fringes

In a report detailing three decades of growth in the SF Bay Area, an urban think tank details how commercial growth has been disproportionately in the non-transit accessible suburban office parks. However, SF shares the blame. Solutions are offered.

March 2, 2009 - San Francisco Chronicle

The World in Drought

Population centers the world around are caught in the grips of devastating droughts. Though temporary conditions, their increasing frequency should be a call to water-saving action, writes Tom Englehardt.

March 2, 2009 - Mother Jones

Better Transportation Needs Better Cities

A new design competition is seeking solutions to L.A.'s transportation problems. But the real solution may not have anything to do with transportation at all.

March 2, 2009 - Nate Berg

Recovery or Rerun?

A new government-sponsored watchdog website will allow citizens to track stimulus-funded projects. It's an effort to insure accountability. Neal Pierce wonders if that accountability will translate into smarter patterns of development.

March 2, 2009 - Citiwire

Sprawl A Major But Ignored Factor in Infrastructure Costs

The federal stimulus package has made infrastructure into a hot topic among states. But, as Mary Newsom writes, states are not addressing the land use patterns that drive up the costs and bring down the efficiency of infrastructure.

March 1, 2009 - Citiwire

Brazil Looks to Land Titles to Protect Amazon

A new plan is taking form in Brazil to regularize titles to rainforest land -- an effort the government hopes will fight deforestation.

February 28, 2009 - The Economist

New York City to Reclaim Broadway For Pedestrians

Mayor Bloomberg and Janette Sadik-Khan have unveiled plans to turn a large segment of midtown into a pedestrian-only thoroughfare. The bold move is being applauded by livable street advocates across the United States.

February 27, 2009 - Streetsblog

Ranchers Fighting Army Over Land

This piece from Reason looks at a land dispute in Colorado between ranchers and the U.S. Army, which wants to add more than 400,000 acres to a 245,000 acre training and testing site.

February 27, 2009 - Reason

Mid-Town Manhattan To Go Car-Free

Mayor Michael Bloomberg has announced plans to close off parts of Broadway in Manhattan to car traffic. The city will experiment with the closing as early as May, creating a large pedestrian zone near Times Square.

February 26, 2009 - The New York Times

Vancouver's Housing Experiment: The First Residents Move In

A local TV host will be one of the first to take advantage of Vancouver's new 'laneway housing' pilot project (allowing 'granny units' in backyards of traditional city neighborhoods). The project is facing some controversy.

February 26, 2009 - The Vancouver Courier

Thinking Twice About Growth

Although denser is inherently greener, cities whose populations boom have their own set of challenges regarding sustainability. According to this article, achieving a balance between urban and rural growth is the most sustainable way to go.

February 26, 2009 - Crosscut

A Better Transit-Oriented Design

Kent Kammerer asserts that by jumping too quickly on a TOD bandwagon that stresses density, local municipalities may leave out elements of social infrastructure and adequate services--the real driving forces behind successful, walkable areas.

February 26, 2009 - Cross

Feds Seek More Control Over Grid Transmission Lines

New legislation is expected to seek greater federal control over the siting of electrical transmission lines, a move lawmakers hope will ease the creation of a "smart" electricity grid.

February 26, 2009 - Grist

A Crowded Future for the Pacific Northwest

Population growth estimates foresee the equivalent of an additional 15 Seattles concentrating in the Pacific Northwest over the next one hundred years. How the region handles this growth is up for debate, but with a distinct sense of urgency.

February 24, 2009 - The Seattle Post-Intelligencer

Top 8 Public Space Design Books

Managing Editor Tim Halbur selects his favorite books for designing and planning public spaces.

February 23, 2009 - Tim Halbur

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.

Associate/Senior Planner

Gallatin County Department of Planning & Community Development

Senior Planner

Heyer Gruel & Associates PA

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.