Land Use
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.
Does Land Use Planning Equal Unaffordable Housing In San Francisco?
Randal O'Toole blames land use planning for high housing costs in San Francisco in this op-ed column.
California City May Stop Wal-Mart By Taking Its Land
Hercules, California, known for a recent New Urbanist development, may stop a proposed Wal-Mart by using eminent domain to take its land. This would be the first time that a city took land from Wal-Mart.
Will Southern Maine Become The New State of 'Northern Massachusetts'?
Differences between largely rural, conservative northern Maine and the more urban and progressive southern half of the state are growing wider, with conflicts coming to a head over the preservation of Maine's famous North Woods.
California's Official Pro-Sprawl City?
At the southern tip of California's San Joaquin Valley lies Bakersfield, a city of 312,000, expected to grow to 730,000 in three decades. It has just doubled its sphere of influence and shows little inclination to put restraints on growth.
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.
Greater Baltimore Committee
Eagle County Government
Harvard University Graduate School of Design
The Architects Foundation
University of Cincinnati Online
The Pocatello Development Authority
The Urban Renewal Agency of the City of Pocatello
Journal of the American Planning Association
