Land Use

Developers Reign in Bucharest

Development in Bucharest, Romania, is completely at the will of developers. Can city officials regain control? The Diplomat Bucharest asks the experts.

September 11, 2006 - The Diplomat Bucharest

Architect Unveils Walkable Plan For Gulf Community

Architect James Polk is setting up to begin work on his plan for a walkable and sustainable community in the Gulf Coast region.

September 8, 2006 - Hattiesburg American

Private Golf Course Almost Goes Public Through Eminent Domain

Spurred by a desire to increase a wealthy New York village's worth and appeal, a string of politicians spent over 10 years trying to use the power of eminent domain to acquire a private golf course and make it public. Despite Kelo, the push failed.

September 8, 2006 - The Weekly Standard

D.C. Weighs Requiring More Residential Parking

Fairfax County planning officials in Washington D.C. are considering raising the amount of parking required in new residential housing developments, while other county officials are seeking a reduction.

September 8, 2006 - The Washington Post

Urban Fringe Development Debated In South Africa

A draft spatial development framework in Cape Town has created a rift between developers and city planners over how much and what type of development should be allowed to push out to the city's urban fringe.

September 7, 2006 - Business Day

Idaho Blueprint for Good Growth Mired in Controversy

An Idaho regional land use plan is on hold as members debate policy implementation.

September 7, 2006 - The Idaho Statesman

A Road Too Wide

As a neighborhood road in Jacksonville is widened from four to six lanes to attract business, many residents are expressing distaste. Michael Lewyn outlines the argument against road widening.

September 7, 2006 - The Florida Times-Union

Can Zena Malek Give Arab Cities An Identity?

Recognized as one of the world's most influential female Arabs, architect Zena Malek has emerged as the most outspoken critic of how cities are being built in the Arab world.

September 7, 2006 - Arabian Business

Atlanta Greens With $2.8 Billion 'Beltline'

A plan is unfolding to create a 22-mile loop of green space and transit routes in downtown Atlanta, one of the most car-dependent cities in America. The plan started out as a graduate student's thesis and is now fully adopted by the city.

September 7, 2006 - The New York Times

East African Capital City Proposes Master Plan Project

Kenya's land surveyors, town and physical planners, engineers, and architects will target Nairobi's blighted areas and try to prevent future unplanned developments.

September 7, 2006 - The East African Standard (Nairobi), All Africa.com

An Australian Backlash Against Planning?

Australian urban planning critics are casting planning as the 'villain' in destroying the rapid suburbanization that has fueled a home-ownership dream. But this is a dangerous view, writes urban management professor Brendan Gleeson.

September 6, 2006 - The Australian

Duany Brings Charrette To Scotland

Scotland calls on Andres Duany and his firm to develop a housing plan for Inverness, which is facing rapid population growth. Duany plans to employ the charrette to hear the voice of the Scottish people, who have been engulfed in sprawl for decades.

September 6, 2006 - The Press and Journal

S.F. Buildings Rising Higher, Despite Terror Threat

High-rise developments are increasing across the country, refuting many critics who predicted the end of the high rise after September 11, 2001. In San Francisco, many planners and developers want to go up in a big way, despite the terror threat.

September 6, 2006 - The San Francisco Chronicle

Downsizing Cities To Reduce Global Warming Threat

A California architect is trying to recreate cities on a smaller scale in an effort to reduce the negative impacts of global warming facing the world's cities. He is called a 'visionary' by some, but criticized as unrealistic by others.

September 6, 2006 - The Contra Costa Times

Bush Forest Plan Halted By Strong Opposition

Bush administration proposals to sell public land face strong opposition even from allies such as the National Rifle Association.

September 6, 2006 - The Los Angeles Times

Ratcheting Down Density

Without a viable mass transit system and concentrated employment centers, Atlanta should reduce allowable density and build more roads, says one columnist.

September 5, 2006 - The Atlanta Journal-Constitution

Australia's PM Says Sprawl Is The Price For Cheap Housing

Prime Minister John Howard says that a lack of residentially zoned land is to blame for Australia's growing affordable housing shortage.

September 5, 2006 - Melbourne Herald Sun

Bigger Incomes, Bigger Homes, Less Satisfaction

Americans are buying bigger homes and on average, to house fewer people. Ironically, their satisfaction in housing choice has eroded somewhat over the last twenty years.

September 5, 2006 - The Los Angeles Times

Transit Oriented Development On The Rise In Atlanta

After years of inactivity, new mixed-use developments are sprouting around MARTA transit stations.

September 3, 2006 - The Atlanta Journal-Constitution

Is Vancouver, Canada The New Model For Urban Planning?

Having recently shown off its vibrant and dense downtown at the 2006 World Urban Forum, planners from around the world are looking to Vancouver as a model for sustainable urban planning.

September 1, 2006 - New Matilda

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.

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.