Land Use

Bruegmann: Urban Myths About Sprawl And Congestion

Robert Bruegmann, author of "Sprawl: A Compact History," writes that traffic congestion is caused not by sprawl but by misconceptions about sprawl.

July 12, 2006 - The Los Angeles Times

U.S. Population Goes Coastal

Every day 1,500 new homes rise along the U.S. coastline. National Geographic asks, "Are America's coastlines are in danger of being loved to death?"

July 12, 2006 - National Geographic

The Battle Over Sprawl and The Future Of America

Former journalist Anthony Flint discusses his new book, which chronicle of the fledgling smart-growth movement and the challenges it faces. Some see Flint as a moderate voice in the highly-charged debate.

July 11, 2006 - Grist Magazine

How To Make Melbourne The Most Livable Again

Architects, artists, urban planners, developers, designers and historians comment on the world's formerly most livable city, why it's lost the title and how to can reclaim it.

July 11, 2006 - The Age

Smart Growth Is Also Smart Investment

Current trends indicate that pedestrian- and transit-oriented developments are becoming more and more attractive, especially to younger people. This smart growth is also turning out to be a profitable investment.

July 11, 2006 - CNN

A Scathing Rebuke For LA's Building Department?

The Los Angeles City Controller issues a 235-page audit of the city's Department of Building and Safety. While the report appears to be highly critical, a close reading indicates most problems result from chronic understaffing.

July 11, 2006 - Los Angeles Business Journal

Coverage Of Rob Lowe's Mega Mansion Leads To Newspaper Implosion

The wealthy, reclusive owner of the Santa Barbara News-Press rebukes editors for coverage of an article about actor Rob Lowe's petition to build a mega-mansion. It's the latest in a series of problems that leads to an 'editorial bloodbath'.

July 10, 2006 - The Santa Barbara Independent

From Once Rural Towns To New Outer Suburbs

Maryland's eastern shore is trying to cope with new growth spreading out from Washington and Baltimore.

July 10, 2006 - The Baltimore Sun

Court Sides With Neighbor Taking Land Without Payment

A case in New York has reasserted a centuries-old law allowing a user of someone else's land to acquire title without paying for it.

July 10, 2006 - The New York Times

Ridership Plan May Be Thwarting TOD Plans

Caltrain's ridership has increased since it began its express service, but several cities looking to encourage TOD development are calling for restored local service to all stations.

July 10, 2006 - San Francisco Examiner

One Town's Stand Against New Downtown Banks

Morristown, New Jersey, wants to ban any new bank branches from the town's business district to protect its lively pedestrian character.

July 8, 2006 - The New York Times

Cleveland Properties Could Face Eminent Domain

As a developer sets his sights on redeveloping some of Cleveland's Cuyahoga Riverfront, the state of Ohio is considering the use of eminent domain to secure the land and ensure the economic development it promises.

July 7, 2006 - The Cleveland Plain Dealer

When Farm Subsidies Go Bad

The Washington Post finds that the government has paid over $1.3 billion in agricultural subsidies to non-farmers, under a decades-old policy intended to eliminate subsidies. The policies are changing land use patterns in the Farm Belt.

July 3, 2006 - The Washington Post

World Cup 2006 Extravaganza

July 3, 2006 - Michael Jelks

Kelo Home To Be Relocated In Eminent Domain Settlement

The house of Susette Kelo, the plaintiff in the landmark eminent domain lawsuit will be relocated as part of an undisclosed settlement.

July 3, 2006 - Abhijeet Chavan

Extreme Pressure Building Along California's San Andreas Fault

New research in Nature indicates that conditions are right for a 100-mile stretch of California's San Andreas Fault to release pressure that has been building.

June 30, 2006 - Scientific American

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

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.