Land Use

Planning 1-2-3

The Campaign for Sensible Growth, a Chicago-based group, has published a step-by-step guide to writing a comprehensive plan.

September 23, 2006 - Campaign For Sensible Growth

New York City Announces Major Sustainability Initiative

Mayor Michael Bloomberg announces a long-term planning and environmental sustainability initiative for New York City.

September 22, 2006 - Streetsblog

Development Pushing Out To New Territories

Developers are increasingly investing in remote locales as price appreciation slows in traditionally developed areas.

September 22, 2006 - International Herald Tribune

S.F. Redevelopment Opposition Denied On Technicality

A referendum opposing a redevelopment plan signed by more than 33,000 San Francisco voters has been ruled invalid, angering many who feel that the city is bending rules to appease developers and gentrify their neighborhood.

September 22, 2006 - San Francisco Bay Gueardian

High Hopes For Huge Toronto Park

Plans are underway in Toronto for the development of a huge public park along the city's Lake Ontario waterfront. Like many big cities, Toronto is utilizing abandoned and underused industrial lands to create an attractive destination.

September 22, 2006 - The Toronto Star

Smart Growth, Defined

Thirty-two organizations have come together to release "This Is Smart Growth," a new publication from ICMA and the Smart Growth Network, which illustrates and explains smart growth concepts and values, using 40 examples from around the country.

September 21, 2006 - Smart Growth Online

Are We In The Midst Of A Downtown Comeback?

The heyday of the American downtown was short -- from 1880-1920, so if we are experiencing a downtown 'comeback', exactly what are we coming back from? Guest blogger Michael Manville examines the what, how and why of downtown revitalization.

September 21, 2006 - Urban Planning Research Blog

Duany Takes On Scotland

Architect and urban planner Andres Duany has been hired to plan a new town near Inverness, Scotland -- one that he assures will not resemble Seaside.

September 21, 2006 - The Guardian

Waiting For Recovery, Eager To Plan

More than half of the residents in the small unincorporated community of Henderson Point, Mississippi, turned out to help begin planning for the rebuilding of their completely devastated community.

September 21, 2006 - Biloxi Sun-Herald

Bio-Diesel As A Rural Development Strategy

Having become the world leader in ethanol production, Brazil turns to bio-diesel, with a policy that is intended to benefit small, family farms so as to keep them on their land, and benefit President Luiz da Silva in his reelection bid.

September 21, 2006 - Los Angeles Times

'Fractal' Design Makes More With Less

In a comparative study of English towns, one small village with a compact and walkable design has been shown to seem much larger to pedestrians than a comparable area in a big city -- mainly because there is more to see there.

September 21, 2006 - Western Mail

After 50 Years, Waterfront May Be Redeveloped

With a population cut in half and an almost abandoned waterfront area, the city of Buffalo is thinking redevelopment. Actually, the city has spent nearly 50 years thinking redevelopment. Now steps are actually being taken to improve the waterfront.

September 21, 2006 - The New York Times

What Is This Thing Called Sprawl?

The concept of sprawl and its attributes are broken down in simple terms in this Q&A with Indiana University Professor John Ottensmann.

September 20, 2006 - Journal and Courier

The Rebirth of Rivers

Impressed by the successful 'rebirth' of rivers like the Clyde, cities are scrutinizing waterfront redevelopment projects and adding rivers to their civic portfolios.

September 19, 2006 - Sunday Herald

Sprawl: History Or Myth?

A critical review of Robert Bruegmann's book 'Sprawl: A Compact History' asserts that Bruegmann's work exemplifies several common myths about sprawl.

September 19, 2006 - Social Science Research Network

Go, West? Not So Fast

The Rocky Mountain West, an area where people were content to let others do what they pleased with their land, is moving towards increasing growth controls as the region's population explodes.

September 19, 2006 - New West

Can Rural Areas Integrate Walkability?

A small rural community in Virginia is generating public momentum towards implementing a plan to make the town more walkable, going back to its heritage as a self-contained village.

September 15, 2006 - The News Leader

Series Covers 'Planning In The West'

A series of articles and reports addressing growth in the Western United States, including Nevada, Arizona, Colorado, Utah, Oregon, Idaho and other states.

September 15, 2006 - New West

Voters Won't Create Appointed Zoning Board

Alabama residents voted down a proposition to create a zoning and planning district in the community of Fowl River over fears that the appointed 7-member board would have too much power to shape the town.

September 14, 2006 - Mobile Press-Register

Documenting The American Landscape

The Center for Land Use Interpretation's Land Use Database is a repository of information about unusual and exemplary sites throughout the United States.

September 13, 2006 - MetropolisMag.com

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.

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.