Land Use
Forest? Fuhgettaboutit
Sicily's forests are being ravaged by fires many suspect are being set by the Mafia, who plan on reaping financial benefits when the land is rezoned for construction.
Kansas City To Limit Billboards
The Kansas City Council has passed an ordinance that will tightly restrict outdoor billboard advertising within the city. The ordinance effectively bans new billboards from all city streets.
Resort Project Cut Down To Size, But Objections Remain
Developers of an oceanside resort and housing complex in Hawaii have significantly reduced their project's scope in an effort to win over wary neighbors and public officials. But the project is slated for a plot where "resorts" are prohibited.
Delays Plague Controversial Atlantic Yards Project
Protests, lawsuits, and accidents have caused big delays in the construction of the controversial Atlantic Yards mixed use project in Brooklyn, New York. But the developers say the project will be completed on time.
Landowner To Fight Big-Box Moratorium
A landowner in suburban Atlanta who had planned to sell his property to Wal-Mart is now suing the city of Duluth over a big-box moratorium that he claims is not in the best interest of the city.
Closely Connected Northwest Cities Need To Plan Together
This editorial calls on the governments of Portland, Oregon, and its intimately-connected neighbor, Vancouver, Washington, to expand the reach of the metropolitan planning agency whose jurisdiction ends at the border between the two cities.
Unwanted McMansions Become Unwanted McBoarding Houses
Suburban Washington D.C. residents are upset over a rash of new buildings in their neighborhoods that they say don't fit in with the character of their communities. It's not just that the houses are too big, but that they are housing too many people.
The Roller Coaster Next Door
A roller coaster has opened up right next door to a family's summer home in the Houston suburb of Kemah -- a town with no zoning ordinance.
Smart Growth Incentive Enables Zoning Changes
A Massachusetts smart growth incentive has enabled a Boston suburb to change its zoning laws to allow developers to build mixed-use developments without applying for special permits. Now other towns want in, but there might not be enough funding.
Lack Of Viable Transit Plans Keeps Cars As Best Option
In this article from The Toronto Star, Wendell Cox looks at the "draconian" land use restrictions that have been imposed by planners in Toronto, and how despite planners bemoaning auto-dependency, no one has offered a viable transit plan.
The Future Of St. Louis' Gateway Arch
In a bid to revive the city's downtown and riverfront, some St. Louis officials want to reclaim some of the 91 pastoral acres now dedicated for the Gateway Arch National Park.
Changing The Car Culture Of Los Angeles
City planners -- hoping to get reluctant Angelenos out of their cars -- have put forth a proposal that would waive all parking requirements for developers whose buildings offered suitable transportation alternatives.
Has Smart Growth Made A Difference In Maryland?
Though former Governor Perris Glendening lead the charge for smart growth in Maryland, its hard to tell if the state's policies have curbed sprawl significantly.
State Housing Agency Pledges Millions To Preserve Open Space
Housing advocates, public officials, and urban planners have joined forces in Rhode Island with a pledge of $10 million to support the preservation of open space by building more dense, mixed-use communities.
Increasing The Density Of Oceanfront Development
This column from the Globe & Mail looks at the scourge of oceanside development in British Columbia and cites a successful example of high-density waterfront development as a model for future growth along the sea.
What To Do With Seattle's Elevated Highway
PBS's NewsHour covers the debate over the future of downtown Seattle's raised highway -- an issue that has a renewed sense of importance after the Minnesota bridge collapse.
Friday Funny: Planning At Its Worst In Kauai?
"ViralKauai" posts a self-made video on YouTube pointing out the problems from overdevelopment of the beautiful island of Kauai.
More People, More Concrete, and More Heat in Phoenix
An 'urban heat island' effect, fed by the city's growth, is trapping heat and making temperatures soar.
Many Fear UK Housing Plan Will Create Sprawl
A severe housing shortage is facing England, but some fear sprawl will result from a government plan to build 3 million homes by 2020.
L.A.'s Development Has Many Centers
A trend of dense downtown development in Los Angeles has some calling the city's new urban growth pattern a move towards "Manhattanization".
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
