Land Use

Zoning Changes Bring Good and Bad in Downtown Seattle

Zoning changes in downtown Seattle have created a more dense area, as was intended. But the zoning changes are also bringing some unintended consequences.

March 2, 2008 - The Stranger

Redirecting Sprawl

Reining sprawl may require "redirecting" it.

March 1, 2008 - The Hartford Courant

Beneath the Surface of L.A.'s Densification

This article from the LA Weekly looks at efforts by the city planning department and key politicians to increase the density of the city.

February 29, 2008 - LA Weekly

The Town That Keeps You in Shape

Prince Charles has initiated an effort to build the world's first "trim town" -- a city form that aims to improve the health of its residents by creating walkable environments.

February 28, 2008 - Scotland on Sunday

Is L.A. Ready to Rethink Mobility?

Plans to convert major arteries to one-way streets in L.A. are meeting tough criticism. Many say the city needs to rethink what mobility should mean, but others say L.A. isn't ready for such a paradigm shift.

February 28, 2008 - The Los Angeles Times

The Role of Public Space in Community Improvement

Creating beautiful public spaces is crucial to improving sense of community, according to urban designers looking to revitalize the Mississippi town of Tupelo.

February 26, 2008 - Daily Journal (Northeast Mississippi)

'Skyscraper Policy' Called For in Philadelphia

Big developments are on the slate in Philadelphia, and some argue that the city needs to develop a skyscraper policy to control the city's changing face.

February 26, 2008 - The Philadelphia Inquirer

Density Plans 'A Hard Sell' in Vancouver

Vancouver's plans to increase density in the city are being called "a hard sell".

February 23, 2008 - The Vancouver Sun

Land Unused

Residents and city officials in L.A. battle over what to do with unused land surrounding the Silver Lake Reservoir.

February 23, 2008 - LA Weekly

City Overhaul Proposed in Toronto

Experts are calling for a major revision to the city operations of Toronto, suggesting the creation of region-wide toll roads, increased taxes and

February 22, 2008 - The Toronto Star

The Danger Of 1950s Planning In The 21st Century

An old Navy base presents the San Francisco suburb of Alameda with a great opportunity. However, a long-standing city policy that prohibits high-density development could quash that opportunity.

February 21, 2008 - California Planning & Development Report

Unlocking the Gordian Knot of Automobiles and Urban Spaces

The best way to improve automobiles is to improve cities, according to this article from Business Week.

February 21, 2008 - Business Week

Transit Agency's Eminent Domain Under Fire

The use of eminent domain by the Denver-area Regional Transportation District is coming under increasing scrutiny from homeowners and public officials.

February 21, 2008 - The Denver Post

Measure 49 Stifling Subdivisions in Oregon

Subdivisions that were approved under Oregon's Measure 37 in 2004 and then overturned by the passage of Measure 49 last November are moving forward, but only a few houses at a time -- a result Measure 49's proponents say is a victory.

February 21, 2008 - The Oregonian

Getting a Grip on 'EcoDensity'

Vancouver's plans for "EcoDensity" should be better understood by the public before moving forward, according to this opinion piece.

February 20, 2008 - The Tyee

New Delta Could Protect Coast From Hurricane Damage

Scientists are proposing a plan to buffer the Gulf Coast from the brunt of hurricanes by engineering more than 1000 square kilometers of new wetlands along the coast.

February 19, 2008 - New Scientist

Challenges for the Next 50 Years

Living more sustainably, tackling infrastructure problems and ensuring a more protected way of experiencing natural disasters are among the top challenges of the next 50 years, according to a group of scientists, entrepreneurs and thinkers.

February 19, 2008 - The Guardian

Public Market on the Chopping Block in New York City

New York City has made a controversial decision to shut down a Latin American public market -- one of the last of a dying breed of public markets in the city.

February 19, 2008 - The New York Times

Human Impact on Ocean Mapped

A new map has been released that shows the extent of the effects human development and lifestyle have had on the world's oceans.

February 19, 2008 - The Guardian

Suburbia: The Natural Evolution of Development?

Is suburban growth really a product of the natural progression of human development, and if not, could a a different growth pattern better meet our desires and reduce our impact the climate?

February 19, 2008 - Ashwani Vasisth

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.