Land Use

North Carolina Wetlands Protected, For A Moment

A recent change in the method of calculating the size of developable land took the state's wetlands out of the acreage. The result could have been vastly expanded stormwater-runoff infrastructure requirements for developers. But it wasn't.

June 30, 2006 - The Raleigh-Durham Independent Weekly

In Seattle, Detached Garages May Be Approved For Apartments

With an aim toward affordable housing and helping homeowners pay their mortgage, Seattle considers allowing backyard apartments, much to the chagrin of local opponents.

June 30, 2006 - The Seattle Times

Coming Soon To An Exurban County Near You

It is possible to move three, four, or even five counties out from the District of Columbia and still feel the effects of growth in the national capital region, even though Unger, W.Va. is not generally considered a suburb of Washington.

June 30, 2006 - The Washington Post

City Chooses Economic Development Over Environment

Planning commissioners in the City of Tracy cite a CEQA provision as they choose the environmentally un-friendly alternative -- a sprawling subdivision of 500 new homes.

June 29, 2006 - Tracy Press

New 'Burbs, New Suburbanism

Joel Kotkin asserts that "city sophisticates" praising downtown revivals and the New Urbanism must now admit that the suburbs are the center of attention in America and around the world.

June 29, 2006 - David Gest

Urbanizing Suburbia In Wisconsin

Mixed use developments are moving into the suburbs of Milwaukee as developers see the demand for combined uses spreading out from the city's core.

June 28, 2006 - Milwaukee Journal Sentinel

Looking For Retail Along Indy Waterfront

Developers in Indianapolis want to bring retail to its downtown canal, an area already busy with visitors and concentrated with housing. They're looking at San Antonio's River Walk for inspiration and advice.

June 28, 2006 - The Indianapolis Star

Smart Growth Key To British Columbians' Health Advantage

BC has about half the obesity rate of the Northwest states, a one-third lower car-crash fatality rate, and its residents live an average of two years longer. Why?

June 28, 2006 - The Vancouver Sun

Stockton Leaves Its Crime-Ridden Past Behind

Once rife with crime, Stockton is taking baby steps towards reducing the crime rate and attracting development to one of the Central Valley's burgeoning population centers.

June 27, 2006 - The Los Angeles Times

The Nexus Between The Built Environment And Public Health

Los Angeles' new Planning Director Gail Goldberg, and California Endowment head Dr. Robert Ross discuss how to build healthy communities through smart planning.

June 26, 2006 - The Planning Report

Paying For Less Parking

The City of Portland, Maine, might join other cities around the country by lowering its parking requirements in exchange for a fee from developers.

June 26, 2006 - Portland Press Herald

Kentucky Developers Hatch Plan Against Sprawl

Kentucky, a state slow to adapt the concepts of New Urbanism, eyes several developments that are walkable and pedestrian friendly.

June 26, 2006 - The Courier-Journal

Duany Set To Lecture In Scotland

A lecture for the UHI Millenium Institute will be included in Andres Duany's upcoming trip to Inverness, Scotland, where he will be working with Moray Estates to plan a new town.

June 25, 2006 - Compass Online

NJ Transit Villages Begin To Appear

Though not fully completed TODs, small pockets of development around transit have emerged with more to follow.

June 25, 2006 - The Philadelphia Inquirer

Reducing Ecological Footprints In A House Of Hay

One man's Connecticut home has no electricity, heating, air-conditioning, running water, or even conventional walls. He's made a structure of hay and stucco his home for 20 years, and his meager lifestyle causes little or no harm to the environment.

June 24, 2006 - The Hartford Courant via The Chicago Tribune

Developing The Un-Park In San Francisco's Presidio

A stream of high-dollar developments have been popping up in San Francisco's Presidio, a former Army base and currently the only park in the National Park Service's collection that is operated privately. Some feel the developments don't fit the site.

June 23, 2006 - The San Francisco Chronicle

Report Links High Car Crash Fatalities To Sprawl

The Cascadia Scorecard documents an emerging body of research indicating that car-centered urban design contributes to a high death and injury toll from car crashes and a high obesity rate, among other ills.

June 23, 2006 - Sightline Institute

Radio Report Looks At Improving L.A. River

From increasing riverside parks to removing the concrete riverbed, many ideas for improving the Los Angeles River have been simmering for years. This radio report introduces many in the city who are calling on planners to revive the forgotten river.

June 22, 2006 - Living on Earth

City Council Approves Dallas Comprehensive Plan

The plan seeks to expand the city's mixed use development and improve transit options. An alternative version of the plan, recommended by the City Plan Commission, was voted down as the city council opted for the original, slightly amended plan.

June 22, 2006 - Dallas Morning News

Australia's Suburban Success Story

Globalization and suburbanization have boosted Sydney's economy, despite the protests of "enemies" of such trends.

June 22, 2006 - The New City (Australia)

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.