Land Use

Japanese Urban Centers Fading In Rural Prefectures

Smaller cities in rural areas of Japan are being gutted out, as big box centers continue to sprout up outside cities.

December 6, 2007 - International Herald Tribune

Planners Object, But Courts Approve Housing Development

When developers made plans for a housing development on land an Israeli kibbutz had to sell off, planners said the required rezoning was out of the question. But five years later and still without planners' approval, the courts have allowed project.

December 6, 2007 - Haaretz

Holding The Line On Miami-Dade's Urban Development Boundary

Citing strained resources, Miami-Dade Mayor Carlos Alvarez has vetoed a number of development projects located outside of the County's ever-tenuous urban development boundary.

December 6, 2007 - The Miami Herald

The Two Faces of California's Upcoming Election Year

In California, the 2008 election year may result in victories for two contrasting interest: those who want to limit eminent domain powers and those seeking increased regulation of land use, writes William Fulton.

December 6, 2007 - California Planning & Development Report

Commercial Developers Finding Value In Mixed Use

A tax-increment financed mixed-use mall redevelopment is showing signs of success in suburban Salt Lake City, Utah, raising nearby property values and indicating a trend amongst commercial developers who are finding profit by mixing uses.

December 6, 2007 - New Urban News

Turning Abandoned Railways To Greenspace In Indiana

The state of Indiana has announced plans to purchase more than 150 miles of abandoned railways, much of which is slated to become greenspace.

December 5, 2007 - The Indianapolis Star

Eminent Domain In The Spotlight

With the recent multi-million dollar settlement over a Connecticut town's abuse of eminent domain, the land acquisition practice is facing increasing scrutiny nationwide.

December 5, 2007 - The New York Times

Criticism Causes San Diego Politicians To Rethink Plan

California Attorney General Jerry Brown's criticism of San Diego's regional transportation plan has some politicians in the area considering a major revision of the region's smart growth strategy.

December 5, 2007 - The North County Times

After City Inaction, Philadelphia Casino Construction Approved By Court

Calling out the Philadelphia City Council for "deliberate inaction" on a casino developer's zoning requests, the state Supreme Court has overstepped the city authority to approve the casino's construction.

December 5, 2007 - The Philadelphia Inquirer

Project Approved Under Measure 37 To Test Measure 49

A subdivision project enabled by Oregon's Measure 37 and already under development when the state's voter passed the counteractive Measure 49 in November may be allowed to continue, raising questions about how to interpret to competing measures.

December 5, 2007 - The Oregonian

The Most Walkable Cities In America

A new report from the Brookings Institution ranks the 30 largest U.S. metro areas according to the number of walkable places per capita.

December 4, 2007 - The Houston Chronicle

Incentive To Recycling Saves Landfill Space

A recycling incentive program that awards households based on the amount of material they recycle has doubled the recycling rate in one city after just one week.

December 4, 2007 - Environmental News Network

Ciclovía: A Moving Experience in Bogotá, Colombia

Every Sunday from 7am to 2pm, up to 2 million residents of Bogotá, Colombia enjoy over 70 miles of car-free streets. The event is called Ciclovía. StreetFilms brings you along for the ride.

December 4, 2007 - Streetsblog

Nevada's Federal Land Sale Fuels Growth

Federal land in Las Vegas has been sold off by the government, creating a fund worth billions of dollars. The fund has been used for many public service and preservation projects in the state. But some say it opens space up for unchecked growth.

December 3, 2007 - The New York Times

More Land Freed Up For Development Around Mumbai

In response to sharply rising real estate prices around Mumbai, the Maharashtra state government has eased restrictions on land ownership and development, creating more supply to meet the growing demand.

December 2, 2007 - Forbes

Friday Funny: How Real Estate Deals Work In LA

A Los Angeles City Planning Department employee accidentally leaves a message intended for the developer on the answering machine of a project opponent: The project will be approved "no matter what."

November 30, 2007 - LA Observed

Venezuela Plans New Cities As Socialist Utopias

President Hugo Chávez is guiding government plans to create several brand new cities to serve as models of social and environmental harmony.

November 30, 2007 - The Washington Post

Making It Cool To Walk To School

A newly released study looked at various programs designed to encourage more students to walk to school, and helps to identify a recipe for success.

November 29, 2007 - Health News Digest

The Suburbs Keep On Growing

Even with increased awareness of global warning and more focus on urban living, the process of outward development continues in cities across America -- driven by homebuyers' continuing desire to own a piece of the American Dream.

November 29, 2007 - The Chicago Tribune

How To Quench Atlanta's Growing Thirst

A severe water shortage is threatening Atlanta, and critics blame the region's unchecked growth as a primary cause for the its current predicament.

November 29, 2007 - The Tennessean

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.

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An annual review of books related to planning.

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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.