Land Use

Asphalt parking lot at night with bright lights

California Poised To Eliminate Parking Requirements Near Transit

A state bill awaiting Governor Gavin Newsom’s signature would prohibit parking mandates in neighborhoods within half a mile of transit.

September 8, 2022 - CBS 8 San Diego

Governors Island - South Island Rezoning

What Are Zoning Amendments?

Zoning amendments change the existing zoning code by either of two methods: changing the text of the zoning code or changing the zoning map.

September 8, 2022 - James Brasuell

Apartment buildings under construction with crane.

A Menu of Proposed Housing Policy Reforms

The Mercatus Center published a list of 16 policy recommendations designed to help states clear local obstacles for housing construction.

September 7, 2022 - Mercatus Center

A sign held above the crowd at a protest reads "No Pipelines" and "Stop RCMP Invasion on Indigenous Lands"

The Land Back Movement, Explained

A 500-year struggle has gained momentum in the days of social media.

September 7, 2022 - High Country News

Texas

Development Code, Future Land Use Map Updates Coming to Dallas

The ForwardDallas initiative is attempting for the Holy Grail of planning: development certainty.

September 5, 2022 - CandysDirt.com

Solar panels in a green field

Local Control for Solar; State Preemption for Oil and Gas

A solar energy facility planned for Fairfield County, Ohio is in critical condition after local governments express their displeasure.

September 2, 2022 - Ohio Capital Journal

San Francisco, California

San Francisco’s Big Redevelopment Plan Was Paused for Equity Analysis That Never Happened

Checking in with The Hub, a proposed rezoning that would enable a multi-parcel redevelopment at a conspicuous intersection, two years after the city paused the rezoning for additional analysis (spoiler alert: the analysis hasn’t even started).

September 1, 2022 - The San Francisco Chronicle

California State Capital

California Makes Planning History, Resets the Housing Status Quo

The California Legislature this week approved a historic package of bills, including a bill that allows affordable housing on commercially zoned properties and another that removes parking requirements near transit.

September 1, 2022 - San Francisco Chronicle

Single-family house with two-car garage under construction

Not Just Use: More Zoning Regulations to Unlock Housing Equity

Prohibiting single-family zoning alone won’t accomplish the needed transformation of the built environment in the United States.

August 31, 2022 - American Planning Association

Pioneer Square, Seattle

Cool Planning for a Hotter Future

Global warming increases the importance of designing buildings and communities that are comfortable, efficient, and safe in hot conditions.

August 31, 2022 - Todd Litman

Brick Apartments

When Landlords Hide Behind LLCs

It’s difficult to know who owns property because corporate landlords and investors tend to structure their business as limited liability companies, or LLCs.

August 31, 2022 - Shelterforce Magazine

A series of diagrams shows a variety of housing types pre-approved for construction in South Bend, Indiana.

South Bend’s Infill Plans Include Pre-Approved Multi-Family Designs

South Bend commits to infill development by pre-approving a suite of residential development options.

August 31, 2022 - WNDU

A conceptual rendering of a large bus and transit hub in Clearwater, Florida.

Site Location Snafu Puts Clearwater’s RAISE Grant Funding at Risk

Wires were crossed between the city manager and the city council in Clearwater, Florida, though the city is now back on track with a plan that won $20 million in grant funding from the federal government in August.

August 31, 2022 - Tampa Bay Times

Vacant storefront on a New York City street with For Lease sign

The Future of Ground-Floor Retail

With demand for housing growing and for physical storefronts waning, do the restrictions imposed by ground-floor retail zoning still make sense?

August 30, 2022 - American Planning Association

Texas Sprawl

San Antonio Considering Major Development Code Overhaul

Neighborhood registration and accessory dwelling units are among the hot button items included in a package of 193 proposed amendments to the San Antonio Unified Development Code.

August 29, 2022 - San Antonio Report

Busy restaurant seating on New York City sidewalk during COVID-19 pandemic

Americans Have Fallen in Love With Outdoor Dining

Started as a response to pandemic restrictions, al fresco dining has taken off as customers, restaurant owners, and city officials realize the social and economic benefits of outdoor dining spaces.

August 29, 2022 - Boston Globe

Close-up from ground level of green lawn with colonial house in background

The Declining Appeal of Lawns

Long held as a symbol of middle-class success and the American Dream, homogenous, monocultural lawns are quickly falling out of favor as people opt for more ecologically friendly gardens that conserve water and increase biodiversity.

August 28, 2022 - The Washington Post

Pacific Ocean

Redondo Beach’s Housing Element Failed. Now a Developer Is Planning 2,300 Residential Units.

Anti-housing development planning now has consequences in California.

August 26, 2022 - Easy Reader News

A large reservoir and its dam are shown in golden foothills.

Bay Area Development Encounters the Limits of the Water Supply

A development battle pitting Contra Costa County against the East Bay Municipal Utility District illustrates the challenges of developing new housing supply in a time of drought.

August 25, 2022 - The Mercury News

New York transportation carbon footprint map

CoolClimate Policy Tools

The CoolClimate Network's Interactive Policy Tools calculate and compare the GHG reductions provided by various emission reduction policies. These tools can help households, businesses and communities identify the best emission reduction strategies.

August 25, 2022 - CoolClimate Network Smart Tools for a Cooler Planet

Urban Design for Planners 1: Software Tools

This six-course series explores essential urban design concepts using open source software and equips planners with the tools they need to participate fully in the urban design process.

Planning for Universal Design

Learn the tools for implementing Universal Design in planning regulations.

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.