Land Use

Planning Is A Tool, Not A Goal

The thrust of contemporary urban planning might make sense if we were bees or ants. But we aren't, writes Wendell Cox.

August 11, 2003 - Heartland Institute

Preemptive War On Sprawl

In a city rated as one of the nation's best places to live, a proposed plan asks voters for money to fight sprawl.

August 11, 2003 - The Detroit Free Press

Will Voters Get To Vote On Development?

Florida considers a proposal to put development to a vote and give voters control over planning issues.

August 9, 2003 - Sun-Sentinel

Council Calls For Directing Sales Tax Revenue To Transit

The Michigan Land Use Leadership Council recommends recommended directing a quarter of the state’s auto-related sales tax to finance new public transit programs in Michigan.

August 8, 2003 - Michigan Land Use Institute

Revolt Against Regionalism

Wisconsin's 4-year-old law requiring all its local governments to develop "comprehensive land-use plans" by 2010 is creating a backlash at the grassroots level and in the state legislature.

August 8, 2003 - Reason Online

Land Rush in the South

Giant timber companies are selling off millions of acres of forest land.

August 7, 2003 - The Washington Post

Ruling Could Lead To Land Use 'Anarchy'

Ruling over "critical area" case could have wider land use impact in Maryland.

August 5, 2003 - The Baltimore Sun

Exploiting Dead Streets

A unique zoning law and carefully kept historical records in Massachusetts have created a loophole that is being exploited by developers.

August 5, 2003 - The Boston Globe

Stuck In The Median

Longtime residents of the median strip of a Maryland highway may be able to sell their land for commercial uses.

August 4, 2003 - The Baltimore Sun

California State Parks Department Looks To Urban Centers

In this interview, California State Parks' Acting Director Ruth Coleman addresses her department's approach to developing and programming parks in urban centers.

August 4, 2003 - The Planning Report

Community Asks: Who's The Boss?

A Springsteen concert at the new Rentschler Field, a state-owned stadium in East Hartford, CT, raises questions over the its intended uses.

August 4, 2003 - The Hartford Courant

Mixed Use Zoning In Savannah

Form-based code proposing mixed uses generates interest in Savannah.

August 2, 2003 - Savannah Morning News

Columbia University's Harlem Expansion

Columbia University plans a 17-acree multibillion-dollar expansion in West Harlem.

July 31, 2003 - The New York Times

Girth And Growth

Congress weighs the sprawl-induced fat problem.

July 31, 2003 - Michigan Land Use Institute

Lawmakers Seek To Repeal 'Smart Growth' Law

In Wisconsin, opponents of its "Smart Growth" law worry about erosion of properties rights and complain that land-use plans are too expensive.

July 30, 2003 - Milwaukee Journal Sentinel

Toronto Sprawl Costing Taxpayers Billions

Report finds long-term costs of sprawl outweigh short-term benefits.

July 30, 2003 - The Toronto Star

Growth Fears In Redmond

The fastest growing city in Oregon tries to avoid looking like its boomtown neighbor to the south.

July 30, 2003 - The Oregonian

Policy To Protect Public Parks

Open space advocates laud Massachusetts governor's efforts to protect public parks from development.

July 30, 2003 - The Boston Globe

Renewal Could Drive Out Used Car Lots

An effort to create a new arts district will drive out used car lots through retroactive zoning.

July 28, 2003 - The Washington Post

Residents Fight Sprawl To Protect Rural Character

A new system that limits the number of homes built annually has pitted large landowners against residents who fear the loss of rural character.

July 26, 2003 - Milwaukee Journal Sentinel

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.