Land Use

Creating A Walkable Neighborhood In Auto-Centric Houston

Developers and planners working on plans for Midtown are coming up against the city's own car-friendly regulations as they envision a vibrant, pedestrian-friendly urban village in the center of Houston.

September 13, 2006 - The Houston Chronicle

Austin's Newest Downtown District

Terrain.org offers a case study of Austin's new six block Second Street District.

September 13, 2006 - Terrain.org

Suburban Developer Endangers Plans For Atlanta Beltline

A week after its glowing profile in the New York Times, Atlanta's Beltline project could now be in jeopardy as a suburban developer threatens to sell his critical piece of the proposed transit corridor.

September 13, 2006 - The Atlanta Journal-Constitution

Spanish Beach Resorts Swallowed By Warming

Global warming and rising sea levels are posing a threat to the livelihood of Southern Spain's bustling beach resorts. Some resort owners are already bringing in their own sand to counteract the receding beach space.

September 13, 2006 - The Guardian Unlimited

Developer Avoids Infrastructure Costs In Nebraska

A large subdivision in Nebraska is generating controversy over a zoning change that allows the developer to avoid paying for road improvements and maintenance. Residents fear this will open the door for other developers to find the same loophole.

September 13, 2006 - Washington County Pilot-Tribune & Enterprise

When Growing Energy Demand And Land Conservation Collide

Fierce battles may arise between regional energy interests providing power to Northern Virginia’s sprawling suburbs and local land conservationists.

September 12, 2006 - The Washington Post

New Port, New City

As a new international port sets to open in 2010, a nearby rural area in South Korea is being scouted to be the nation's next major metropolis.

September 12, 2006 - International Herald Tribune

Planner Profile: Brian Wallace

September 11, 2006 - Brian Wallace

Myanmar's Ruins To Become Tourist Attractions

The Myanmar government has begun a massive rebuilding effort to 'restore' some of the country's ancient temples. But the rebuilding effort makes no attempt to preserve the history of the sites, opting to rebuild the areas into tourist attractions.

September 11, 2006 - The Los Angeles Times

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

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.