Land Use
A Vision For The End Of Oil
Critical of the current proposals for alternative energy, James Howard Kunstler provides a "wake up call" for citizens, and provides a glimpse at life after the world makes its inevitable transition to a post-oil society.
Study Finds Many Wanting Walkability In Atlanta
A broad study of the travel habits and neighborhood choices of more than 18,000 Atlanta residents has found that a third of the people living in suburbs would have preferred a more walkable neighborhood.
Big-Box Costco Goes Downtown, Mixed-Use
Costco is the anchor tenant in a new Downtown Vancouver mixed-used development that partially opened November 2006. Besides going mixed-use, Costco also added underground parking to adapt to its new urban environment.
A Smart Growth 'Rent Belt'?
Wendell Cox and Ronald Utt suggest that smart growth abuses are creating a "Rent Belt" of high-Cost areas.
How Schools Teach Sprawl
The planning and placement of schools is making students 'auto-dependent', according to an urban planning academic in Canada. Others also bemoan the architectural design of schools and the potentially harmful building materials used to build them.
Expansion And Growth 'Reserve' Land Rejected In Kentucky
Planning officials in Fayette County, Kentucky, have approved a plan that will not expand its boundary of growth. The planning commission also unanimously rejected the establishment of an 'urban reserve', in case minds changed about expansion.
Growth Boundary Extension Approved Before Impact Reports Completed
The Pittsburg, California, City Council has unanimously approved an extension of the city's urban growth boundary to include 1,600 more acres of foothills. This extension was approved by voters in 2005, but some argue the initiative was deceptive.
Cities Are The Future
The only way to meet the challenges of the 21st Century is to address poverty, pollution and environmental sustainability in the world's cities, writes Worldwatch Institute president Christopher Flavin.
Nature Writers Should Explore The Urban Wilderness
One urban dweller calls on nature writers to take a look at Los Angeles, and other cities, in order to regain relevance in today's world.
New York's Queen Of Urban Planning
With her patrician manner and focused attention to the quality of buildings and public space, New York City Planning Commissioner Amanda Burden has become a controversial figure in the city's planning and development circles.
Sprawl's Economic Effect On Agriculture In South
As new developments consume agricultural lands in the fast-growing South, the cooperatives that cater to farmers feel the pinch. While some can 'retool' by selling pet food and lawn fertilizer, others must close as another casualty to sprawl.
Wetland Protections Worry Farmers In New Jersey
A master plan proposed to protect almost a million acres of wetlands in New Jersey is meeting opposition from area farmers who fear the plan's limitation on development and certain farming practices will render their land worthless.
Southern California's Laboratory For Smart Growth
With Southern California's strictest urban growth rules and a commitment to preserving open space and agriculture, Ventura County has become the region's hotbed of smart growth.
Downtown Raleigh Debates Relaxing Parking Requirements
The city council is considering letting developers decide for themselves how many parking spaces to build, though many worry the change could harm downtown.
Auto Emissions In Europe Increasing Along With Sprawl
In Europe, vehicular emissions are increasing while emissions from industry and the population growth rate decline. More people throughout the world are driving, especially in those countries where the "newly rich" enjoy their new mobility.
Will Sarasota Pass The Duany Test?
Six years ago Andres Duany helped craft a new 20 year masterplan for the City of Sarasota, Florida, which prides itself on being a city with a small town feel. This week he returns to gauge the city's progress.
The Rise of the Megapolitans
Megapolitans are regions that combine at least two, and often several, metropolitan areas. Researchers Robert E. Lang and Arthur C. Nelson developed the megapolitan concept in part to depict where the next 100 million Americans will live.
Parking Rage Boiling Over In San Francisco
Anger over parking difficulties in the city has spawned attacks between motorists and enforcement officers, and even led to the death of one resident.
Maryland's Governor Elect To Revive Smart Growth Policies
Governor-elect Martin O'Malley wants to redirect the state down the path of smart growth charted by former Governor Parris Glendening.
Philadelphia's Planning Chief Has Big Job Ahead
Janice Woodcock, the executive director of the city Planning Commission, is charged with the task of updating the historic city's archaic zoning code.
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.
City of Fort Worth
planning NEXT
Mpact (founded as Rail~Volution)
City of Camden Redevelopment Agency
City of Astoria
City of Portland
City of Laramie
