Land Use

Should Hong Kong And Shenzhen Merge?

Government planners in China are proposing a megacity merger between Hong Kong and neighboring Shenzhen to create a metropolis of more than 20 million people, but some fear the metropolis would be too big.

September 19, 2007 - BBC

'Rural Sprawl' Increases Fire Threat In Sierras

Increasing development in California's Sierra Nevada Mountains is adding significantly to the area's fire risk. Some are calling for more scrutiny in the approval of further development in the fire-prone area.

September 19, 2007 - The San Francisco Chronicle

Progress Slow For San Diego's 'City of Villages' Plan

The city's lauded framework plan for implementing smart growth practices has failed to deliver on its promises, say some residents and experts.

September 18, 2007 - Voice of San Diego

Will Atlanta's Beltline Be Solely For The Wealthy?

A new study shows that property values have spiked around the proposed parkway, threatening to price lower-income residents out of their homes.

September 18, 2007 - The Atlanta Journal-Constitution

A Power Grab For San Diego Planners?

A proposal to combine the planning and development services departments could give San Diego's planning director the power to plan for the long-term -- or perhaps lead to more political scandal.

September 18, 2007 - San Diego Union Tribune

Property Taxes Skyrocket Along Atlanta's Proposed Beltline Corridor

Property taxes along Atlanta's proposed Beltline -- a 22-mile loop of park and trails ringing downtown -- are rising sharply, threatening to displace the poor that live in adjacent areas.

September 17, 2007 - The Atlanta Journal-Constitution

When A McMansion Isn't Large Enough

With Americans living in ever larger homes, the growth of the self storage industry demonstrates the irony of an American solution to an American problem -- overabundance.

September 17, 2007 - Sriram Khe

World Ag At Risk From Global Warming

World agricultural productivity could decline between 3-16% by 2080. Developing countries will experience the biggest drop.

September 16, 2007 - Center for Global Development

Plan To Sell Conservation Land Irks Public

A proposal to sell off 9,000 acres of Texas land set aside in a conservation fund has many worried about a loss of public land. But proponents say a private owner would expand, not limit, public access to the land.

September 14, 2007 - The Houston Chronicle

Three Times More Parking Than Drivers

Recent research finds that parking spaces outnumber drivers 3-to-1 in Tippecanoe County, Indiana.

September 12, 2007 - Purdue University

Cox Says Smart Growth Limits Homeownership

Wendell Cox argues that smart growth development plans are bad policy for African Americans because they elevate home prices out of reach.

September 12, 2007 - Heartland Perspectives

Homeless Shelter Plan Drives Away Local Businesses

In downtown Boise, recently announced plans to construct a homeless shelter have many local business owners upset and making arrangements to move out of the area. The city, however, is defending its decision to approve the shelter.

September 12, 2007 - The Idaho Statesman

U.S. Coastal Cities Face Catastrophic Risk

The U.S. coastline, home to 53% of the nation's population, is at catastrophic risk from just a 1-meter rise in sea level concludes a major new study.

September 11, 2007 - Washington Post Writers

Building Connections

One citizen planner's journey across the United States provides a glimpse at how stronger connections between people and places can create better communities.

September 10, 2007 - Wayne Senville

Alaskan Community Considers Property Value Compensation Measure

A measure on the Alaskan ballot this October could require a local government to compensate landowners if new land use regulations hurt property values -- a measure similar to Oregon's controversial Measure 37 that is meeting similar resistance.

September 10, 2007 - Anchorage Daily News

Controversial Legislation Tackles Land Use, Transportation, Regional Planning, & Global Warming

In what is arguably the most important environmental bill in California since last year's Global Warming Solutions Act, SB 375 attempts to reduce global warming by addressing land use and transportation through better regional planning.

September 8, 2007 - The Sacramento Bee

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.

September 7, 2007 - The Globe and Mail

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.

September 7, 2007 - The Kansas City Star

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.

September 7, 2007 - Honolulu Star-Bulletin

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.

September 6, 2007 - The New York Observer

FREE Course: Walkable City 1: Why Walkability?

After describing his path towards focusing on walkability as the essence of good planning, Jeff Speck marches through his five principal reasons for making more walkable places.

Reinventing Malls: Planning Alchemy—Turning Gray Fields Into Gold

The course focuses on the opportunities and imperatives that shape reinvention of mall sites.

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.