Land Use
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".
Depopulation Key To Reducing Damages In Disaster-Prone Areas
This column from The Wall Street Journal argues that the best way to prevent damages from natural disasters is not to fight carbon emissions, but to prevent people from living in disaster-prone areas.
Disneyland Takes Rezoning To Ballot
The housing saga continues in Anaheim, California, as the Disney Corporation has pushed a referendum into next June's city ballot that will let voters decide if housing should be allowed in the Disneyland-adjacent "Resort District".
Chicago's Northwest Suburbs Working To Promote TODs
Leaders of suburban cities and villages in northeastern Illinois are coming together to promote transit oriented development around commuter rail lines leading into Chicago.
Planned Windmill In Atlanta Neighborhood Causes Controversy
Neighbors are so far unsuccessful in their attempts to prevent one homeowner from erecting a 45-foot high windmill turbine generator in his yard.
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.
Greater Baltimore Committee
Eagle County Government
Harvard University Graduate School of Design
The Architects Foundation
University of Cincinnati Online
The Pocatello Development Authority
The Urban Renewal Agency of the City of Pocatello
Journal of the American Planning Association
