Land Use
Pioneer Urban Affairs Journalist Dies
Journalist Ray Hebert helped introduce the public to planning issues with his coverage of urban growth and mobility in the 1960s.
Super-Sized Schools Are Getting a New Land Diet
Decision makers are realizing that large (and expensive to maintain) acreage requirements are making kids, and their parents, dependent on cars to shuttle them to and from school. Some states have already eliminated the minimums, and more want to.
First UGB Expansion Approved in Ventura County, California
For the first time, residents in a Ventura County city have voted to substantially expand their urban growth boundaries in order to accommodate a residential development -- following two previously failed attempts redraw the line.
Farmland Converted To Forest To Sell Carbon Credits
With hopes of generating income by selling carbon credits to polluters, Native Americans in Idaho are converting their farmland back to forests. But carbon sequestration is not required in the U.S., lowering the amount of revenue they can generate.
Housing Affordability Pushing Compact Development
In an effort to development more moderately priced housing, developers around Sacramento are squeezing more homes per acre and moving garages to the back alley, pleasing some planners and conservationists.
Best Practices of Development in Northern Rockies
A new vision of development in Idaho, Montana and Wyoming is taking shape.
Smart Growth's Past, Present And Future
A recent HUD journal article assesses the origins of the smart growth movement, and its current and anticipated impact on urban development in the United States.
Land Use Shows Itself To Be Controversial Element In Cool Cities Program
The land use policy in the US Mayors' Climate Protection Agreement calling for smart growth caused a Bay Area mayor to refrain from signing the agreement, believing that limiting density would be better for the environment.
South Africa Struggles To Redistribute Farmland
A 2014 goal of 30% farm ownership by blacks in South Africa is far from being met, as whites still control more than 80% of the nation's farmland. Many say the government's land reform laws are incapable of efficiently redistributing the land.
New Survey Maps Roadless Areas Of U.S.
Researchers have surveyed the continental U.S. to create a map of all roadless areas. The survey revealed that a road is always within 22 miles of any point in the country, and that some areas have too many roads for the size of their populations.
Charleston Area Development Of Timber Tract Emphasizes Conservation
A 70,000-acre timber tract that spans the Low Country counties of Charleston and Dorchester in South Carolina will be developed by its corporate owner, MeadWestvaco, into an environmentally-sensitive community that emphasizes conservation.
New Orleans Plan Calls For Smart Growth
The culmination of a major statewide planning effort -- the new long-term plan calls for communities to build compact neighborhoods and coordinate regional development.
LDMRs and 'Air Condos' in Puget Sound
Snohomish County, Wash., officials are tussling with local city governments and fire-department officials over regulation of so-called "air condo" developments sprouting in the county's unincorporated areas.
Pro-Property Rights Movement Here To Stay
By and large, Americans support the rights of property owners -- leaving planners with the challenge of creating regulation that protects the public without infringing on private interests.
With Land Disappearing In D.C., Some Say Build Up
Available land in Washington D.C. is expected to diminish sharply within the next 20 years, prompting some to suggest that increasing building heights and densities should become the new development paradigm.
A New Bold Plan For Boston
With the debut of a new region plan -- emphasizing town centers, more density, increased transit usage, and reduced water and energy consumption -- Boston area planners have their work cut out for them.
Mississippi River Diversion Plan Could Reclaim Land
Engineers have unveiled a massive plan to let the Mississippi River flow out of several of its levees to reduce the amount of sediment that flows into the ocean. Proponents say the $50 billion plan would reclaim much of the land-building sediment.
Controversy Erupts Over Staten Island Comprehensive Plan Idea
According to the new study by the Center for an Urban Future, Staten Island needs its own comprehensive plan. But the Deputy NYC Mayor for Economic Development and Rebuilding disagrees.
Minimizing The Effects Of The Kelo Decision
While many local governments have been utilizing the eminent domain powers granted to them by the Kelo case, the American Planning Association hasn't been successful in finding ways to limit the decision's negative effects. But as Richard May, FAICP explains, there are many ways to reduce any damage done.
Miami Moves Closer To Metrorail Expansion
Though funding is not ensured, the Miami-Dade Transit Authority has received permission from the federal government to start acquiring land for its 9.5 mile Metrorail line expansion.
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.
City of Rosemead
Rutgers University, Edward J. Bloustein School of Planning and Public Policy
One Hundred Miles
University of Michigan School for Environment and Sustainability (SEAS)
Hunter College, City University of New York (CUNY)
The Architects Foundation
City of Cambridge
Montrose County
The Pocatello Development Authority
