Land Use

Are Tall Buildings Safer When It Floods?
Conventional wisdom is that the most resilient city is that keeps high-density housing out of flood zones. But if flooding can happen miles inland, is that still true?

TOD Plans Take Shape in Prince George's County
The historically car-dependent county is hoping the planned revitalization of the Blue Line Corridor will boost the local economy and help maintain affordable housing.

20 Years After 9/11: The 'Age of Skyscrapers' Is Nowhere Near Over
Despite predictions that the events of September 11, 2001 would be the end of skyscrapers, U.S. cities are building more tall buildings than ever.

A Stark Picture of the Climate Gap in the Coachella Valley
In the low desert of Southern California, dwindling water supplies and a lack of infrastructure funding pose major challenges for working-class communities struggling to survive.

Schoolyards as a Solution for Park-Poor Cities
Opening schoolyards to the public could be 'game-changing' for communities lacking in green space.

Why Tech-Utopian City Plans Fail
Like others before him, e-commerce billionaire Marc Lore wants to build the ideal city from scratch. Urban experts don't have much faith in his chances.

The Consequences of Community Engagement
Long, onerous environmental review processes focused on public input can cause major delays and cost increases for infrastructure and transportation projects.

Dallas Launches New Comprehensive Plan Process—15 Years After ForwardDallas
The city of Dallas adopted the ForwardDallas plan in 2006, setting a grand ambition for a more walkable, transit-friendly city. Some of the work toward that vision will have to continue with the next comprehensive plan.

Zoning Change to Create More Marijuana Business Opportunities in Chicago
By opening more of downtown Chicago to pot shops, the city hopes that more minority businesses owners can get in on the lucrative business of marijuana.

Mobile Home Parks Becoming Unaffordable as Investors Buy Up Properties
Longtime residents of mobile home parks are seeing their land rents go up as corporate investors seek to increase profits, aided in part by federally-backed loans.

San Francisco Not Living Up to 'Transit First' Promise
Despite a stated goal of encouraging other modes, the city's streets still overwhelmingly prioritize cars.

New Light on Basement Apartments in NYC After Ida's Tragedies
Basement apartments were the least safe place to be as the remnants of Hurricane Ida sent floodwaters ripping through the Northeast.

How to Abolish Parking Minimums: Lessons from the Twin Cities
Cities around the country are eliminating parking minimums in an effort to reduce the costs of housing construction and encourage car-free living.

Project Team for Milwaukee's New Downtown Area Plan Takes Shape
A new plan for Milwaukee's downtown will build on a "major renaissance" in the area since the approval of the last version of the plan in 2010.

How New York City Can Prepare for the Next Catastrophic Floods–Now
The city must take urgent action to mitigate the effects of increasingly damaging rainstorms.

Golf Carts as Transportation
Designing roads for low-speed vehicles like golf carts can make getting around safer and easier for seniors.

Acting Mayor Pulls Boston's Downtown Harbor Plan
Intrigue continues for waterfront development plans in Boston and nearby cities.

Colorado DOT To Study Air Quality Near I-270 Project—Residents Are Skeptical
The Colorado Department of Transportation has pledged to evaluate direct mitigation measures to reduce the impact of construction projects on nearby communities.

'Fire Weather' Is Stoking More Extreme Wildfires
The number of annual 'fire weather' days has increased over the past 50 years, leading to deadlier and more massive fires in the West.

Report: D.C. Housing Too Decentralized
Over the last three decades, the D.C. region has seen the most development in far-flung exurbs disconnected from area jobs and transit networks.
Pagination
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Learn the tools for implementing Universal Design in planning regulations.
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