Land Use
Chinese Farmers Challenge Land Policies
Rural farmers in China want legal ownership rights for the state-owned lands they farm.
Houston Needs Plan To Soak It Up
With a patchwork of building regulations, development can be difficult in Houston. This op-ed argues that what the city needs to guide itself to a more organized development pattern is a highly-defined plan to improve the city's permeability.
No Community Is An Island: Tributary and the Young & the Restless
A new approach to urbanism in suburban Atlanta, the Tributary community is based on a mixed-use master plan integrating and interconnecting a range of residential neighborhoods, a village center, a town center, and more.
A Case Study in 'UnSprawl'
Located seven miles south of the town of Loreto in Baja California Sur, the Villages of Loreto Bay is an 8,000-acre new urbanist development that strives to be North America’s largest sustainable resort development.
Bikeable Cities: Point-Counterpoint
Part of a week-long series, Randal O'Toole and blogger Will Campbell debate why some cities are good for cyclists, how they got there, and why L.A. is still far off.
Sprawl and Climate Change Force Sled Race to Evolve
The infamous 1,100-mile Iditarod sled dog race course has been adjusted due to urban sprawl moving into the traditional course route.
When Pieces of National Parks Go on Sale, U.S. Can't Pay
Funding shortages are leaving officials at the national parks with little or no power to acquire new lands, enabling private interests to buy up sensitive lands before they can be protected federally.
Beltline Needs A Guiding Vision
Plans are moving forward for Atlanta's broad Beltline project, including parkspace, mixed use development and transit. But this piece from the Atlanta Journal-Constitution argues that a grand vision is needed to harness the momentum.
Feds Pressure Baltimore For Drug Center Rezoning
For the third time, the city of Baltimore is considering a zone change that would allow live-in drug centers to be located in residential areas. Residents are opposed, but the Department of Justice has threatened to sue unless changes are made.
L.A.'s Public Squares Leave Much To Be Desired
This piece from the Los Angeles Times Magazine looks at the recent trend of including public squares in high-profile L.A. projects, and examines why they don't really work in the traditional sense.
Subdivision Tests Limits of Measure 49
A land subdivision in Oregon approved under the state's Measure 37 is going forward, despite the fact that it should have been significantly scaled back after the passage of Measure 49 in November. Many view this case as a test of what 49 will allow.
Urban Innovators on List of Planet Heroes
The Guardian has released a list of the "50 people who could save the planet," including some urban innovators who are changing the way the world thinks about cities.
Sub-Prime Crisis + Expensive Gas = End Of Sprawl?
This op-ed by Eduardo Peñalver, a Cornell professor of property and land-use law, suggests that escalating gas prices and declining home prices may drive development inward, presenting a great opportunity to end sprawl using regional planning.
Who You Callin' Walkable?
Seattle was recently named as one of the most walkable cities in the country, but one local disagrees.
The Health Risks of Suburbia
Suburban and sprawling neighborhoods have been connected with disease and obesity in a new report.
Australian High-Rise Projects Prompts Protests
A $1.7 billion high-rise development proposal that would jut out into the Brisbane River has prompted the protests of many planners and architects in Brisbane, Australia.
From Strip Mall to TOD
In suburban Salt Lake City, Utah, plans are underway to replace an old strip mall with a mixed use, transit oriented development.
Waterfront Redesign Should Be Model For Rest of City
The team chosen to redesign Toronto's waterfront has plans for updating the area with a better balance of car and foot traffic. Architecture critic Christopher Hume looks at the plans as a model of development the rest of the city should follow.
One-Man Roadblock to Atlanta's Beltline Project
The expansive Beltline transit and parkspace development planned for Atlanta is being hindered by one man's lawsuits over the legality of the funding used to build it.
No Zoning, But Many Restrictions
Houston may lack zoning restrictions, but the city has taken a number of steps over the course of the year to limit the extent and flavor of development.
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.
planning NEXT
Appalachian Highlands Housing Partners
Mpact (founded as Rail~Volution)
City of Camden Redevelopment Agency
City of Astoria
City of Portland
City of Laramie
