Land Use

Vast, empty parking lot with blue sky and bright sun in background

Friday Funny: How Much Parking Does That Parking Spot Need?

The Onion takes parking requirements to their logical conclusion.

May 5, 2023 - The Onion

Colorfu rowhouses in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania

Examining Philadelphia’s Zoning Overlay Districts

A decades-old policy allowing hyperlocal zoning exemptions and restrictions creates a confusing patchwork of zoning regulations across the city.

May 4, 2023 - Philadelphia Inquirer

Seattle skyline panorama seen from Kerry Park at sunset in golden evening light with Mount Rainier in the background, Washington State, United States of America

Washington Cities Balance Housing Development and Tree Canopy

Cities like Seattle and Bellingham are working to increase housing density while also preserving urban trees and green spaces.

May 3, 2023 - The Urbanist

Outdoor dining with bright green chairs on a sidewalk in Baltimore, Maryland

Baltimore Sets Guidelines for Permanent Parklet Program

With pandemic-era parklet regulations set to expire on June 30, the city is launching a new, permanent set of guidelines for outdoor dining and other uses of curbside space.

May 3, 2023 - Baltimore Sun

Seattle, Washington

The City Beyond Amazon's ‘Great Return’

In GeekWire, Chuck Wolfe explains how, as the Amazon (and other) “Great Returns” to the office unfold, it's essential to dig deeper.

May 2, 2023 - GeekWire

View of Los Angeles skyline on sunny day with palm trees in foreground

Los Angeles Finalizing Three Long-Awaited Community Plan Updates

Los Angeles is poised to approve a trio of long-planned zoning code updates—for the neighborhoods of Boyle Heights, Downtown, and Hollywood—as the first test cases for a new citywide zoning code update known as re:code LA.

May 1, 2023 - Urbanize LA

A rendering shows key features of the zoning code for a mid-rise apartment building.

Boise’s New Zoning Code Cleared for City Council Approval

The Boise Planning Commission gave its approval to a new zoning code for the city of Boise. The City Council is expected to consider the draft zoning code in June.

May 1, 2023 - Boise State Public Radio

Texas Capitol Building

Bill Legalizing ADUs Passes Texas Senate

If passed by the full state legislature, the bill would eliminate local restrictions on ‘mother-in-law’ units.

May 1, 2023 - FOX 4 News

Historic Downtown Frederick Maryland sign in downtown area.

Maryland City Reveals Draft Form-Based Code

With the new zoning code, Frederick aims to shift away from use-based zoning regulations.

April 30, 2023 - City of Frededick

Sprawl

Essay: Will America Ever Change its Urban Patterns?

If there has ever been a good time to change our urban patterns, the time is now.

April 30, 2023 - Marcelo Remond

Empty Parking Lot

Parking Lots: A National Treasure?

Did you know? The amount of public subsidies given to free parking far outweighs federal funding for the National Park Service.

April 28, 2023 - Streetsblog USA

View of houses on small street in Raleigh, North Carolina against a sunset sky

North Carolina’s Triangle Faces Growing Pains

The region’s rapid growth and high housing costs are prompting a contentious debate over zoning changes that would boost density.

April 27, 2023 - Axios

Aerial view of gold Colorado state capitol building with green park and city beyond

Upzoning Gutted From Colorado’s Statewide Housing Reform Effort

Colorado’s “More Homes Now” bill has been drastically reduced in scope and ambition, showing the contemporary zoning reform movement still has obstacles to overcome.

April 26, 2023 - The Colorado Sun

Curvy street lined with houses in Issaquah Highlands outside Seattle, Washington

Wealthy Washington Neighborhoods Could Remain Untouched by Zoning Reforms

Neighborhoods with preexisting internal contracts are exempted from new legislation requiring all Washington cities to permit duplexes and other ‘missing middle housing.’

April 26, 2023 - The Seattle Times

View of New York City from Williamsburg, Brooklyn

New York Mayor Proposes Zoning Amendments to Boost Housing Supply

After Governor Hochul’s statewide housing plan collapsed during budget talks, the city will weigh a series of zoning changes that could increase housing production and remove barriers to sustainability retrofits.

April 26, 2023 - Politico

Vintage 1929 map of Los Angeles

L.A. County's Regional Planning Commission Celebrates 100 Years of Service

The first planning commissioners were appointed by the Board of Supervisors in 1923, making the Regional Planning Commission the oldest county planning commission in the United States.

April 25, 2023 - Los Angeles County Department of Regional Planning

 Red brick homes with blooming wisteria in foreground in Arlington, Virginia

Lawsuit Challenges Arlington County Zoning Reforms

A lawsuit brought by residents charges the county with failing to follow statutory procedures and provide accurate information about recently passed ‘missing middle housing’ reforms.

April 25, 2023 - The Washington Post

View from below of orange tethered hot-air balloon floating in blue sky

New Vision for Southern California’s Great Park

The newly unveiled comprehensive plan includes a botanical garden, museums, and a 22-acre lake system.

April 24, 2023 - The Architect's Newspaper

Aerial view at dusk of downtown Austin, Texas with river in foreground

New Zoning Category Proposed in Austin

The ‘town zoning’ category would create more flexibility and encourage developers to build more affordable, transit-oriented housing.

April 24, 2023 - Austin Business Journal

Seattle Apartments

Cities Need More Family-Oriented Housing

For many young families, it’s simply impossible to find affordable housing in cities, leading them to the suburbs not by choice, but by necessity.

April 24, 2023 - Vox

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.