Land Use
Adirondack Mountain Town Rejects Wal-Mart Supercenter
By a 3-2 vote, the Village of Saranac Lake in the Adirondack mountains of New York decides not to complete an environmental review for a Wal-Mart store.
'Landmark' Bill To Allow Sale Of Public Land To Finance Development
Growth advocates applaud a bill to sell public land to finance local projects but conservationists are worried about what they consider a dangerous trend that benefits only developers.
'Banking' On Open Space In Florida
Bedroom community Maitland wants to convert its strip commercial core to a downtown, but guidelines mandate open space. Redefining 'open space' has opened a door to greater intensity -- and controversy.
The Future Of Philadelphia's Waterfront
New political willpower demonstrated by Philadelphia's mayor, a state senator, and Governor Rendell has opened the door for much-needed development in the area.
The Top 15 Sustainable Cities In The U.S.
The Pacific Northwest trumps this year's rankings, although a number of older East Coast cities also make the top ten. Criteria considered include commitment to public health, the local economy, and citizens and city cooperation on long-term goals.
Reframing New Jersey's Competitive Challenge
New research by the Brookings Institution ties New Jersey's troubling economic position to multiple forces, including rising housing costs, persistent race, class and place disparities, and unbalanced development patterns.
Even in Sprawling Arizona, Downtown Condos Are Now Hip
Phoenix and Tucson are building up, not out, but is it enough to slow desert development?
Faux Suburban Downtowns Challenge Traditional City Centers
The popularity of mixed-use suburban town centers is threatening the viability of older, traditional downtowns. While many tout their urban-style amenities, the suburban centers often lack transit and -- sometimes -- even sidewalks.
The Public Reacts To Miami 21
After the much anticipated unveiling of the first quadrant in the Miami 21 project on May 13th, the public is now taking the opportunity to react to the City's most ambitious urban planning effort to date.
Sprawling To The Biosphere
When The Biosphere was originally built in 1991, it was in the middle of nowhere in the Sonoran Desert. Today, hyper suburban development between Tucson and Phoenix threatens its very existence.
City Life: New 3D Planning Game Called 'SimCity With a Conscience'
City Life is a stunning city-building simulation which gives players the opportunity to build and manage a modern day metropolis in a fully 3D world. The game is being hailed as "SimCity with a conscience."
Next Generation Business Parks
Turning sprawling office parks into compact transit villages may be solve both congestion and energy issues at once.
Study Finds Local Ordinances Create Sprawl
A new study shows that Adequate Public Finance Ordinances (APFOs)in the National Capital Region may counter state's efforts at managing growth effectively.
Japan Bans New Suburban Malls
As Japan's population shrinks, the Japanese government bans the development of new shopping malls or amusement centers exceeding 108,000 s.f. in suburban areas to prevent the 'hollowing out' of urban centers.
FL County Approves Huge Rural Development Conflicting With Comprehensive Plan
Despite working with rural property owners for seven years to develop a 'sector plan' directing growth in rural areas, Palm Beach County voted to send a proposed plan amendment allowing 10,000 homes to the State for review. Area residents object.
Planning Theories Are Meaningless Without Citizen Involvement
Two PBS documentary producers reflect on their experience with the state of urban development in cities across the country.
Model Smart Land Development Regulations
The APA has created 11 model smart growth codes, which are available for download.
Wal-Mart Victim Of Eminent Domain?
The city council of Hercules, CA, votes unanimously to use eminent domain to take Wal-Mart's land and stop it from building a store.
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
