With bills on the table to update its zoning code, Philadelphia may be poised to slow the pace of its housing construction.

"There is little doubt that Philadelphia's relentless housing boom (fueled by the 10-year property tax abatement) has run roughshod over some neighborhoods, destroying cherished architecture, driving up prices, and pushing out the poor and elderly," Inga Saffron writes.
In response, City Council President and "longtime density skeptic" Darrell Clarke has introduced two bills that could put in check a construction spree dating to a 2011 update of Philly's zoning code. "The more significant of Clarke's bills would create a Council-controlled commission to review and update the zoning code" once again.
Hardcore urbanists, Saffron writes, "fear that Clarke, who once boasted that he drives everywhere — even to the corner store — is determined to impose a suburban vision on Philadelphia." On the other hand, "the 2011 zoning code has been much more generous to developers and private interests than to the overall public good. Construction quality is so poor — even for so-called luxury housing — that it often seems like we are building the slums of tomorrow."
Saffron concludes with an argument that the real problem lies with the planning commission's lack of authority. Fixing that, she says, will let the city better negotiate big projects rather than leaving the task to volunteer-run Registered Community Organizations.
FULL STORY: Is Philadelphia getting too crowded? City Council president wants fewer apartments and more parking.

Legendary Parking Guru Donald Shoup Dies at 86
Urbanists are mourning the loss of a dynamic voice for parking reform and walkable cities.

DOT Memo Directs Transportation Funding to Communities With Higher Marriage and Birth Rates, Compliance with Immigration Officials and No Mask Mandates
The memo ties immigration enforcement to federal funding and prohibits mask or vaccine mandates.

Analysis: Cybertruck Fatality Rate Far Exceeds That of Ford Pinto
The Tesla Cybertruck was recalled seven times last year.

Community Colleges: A Pathway for Native Hawaiian Achievement and Growth
The University of Hawaiʻi Community Colleges provide Native Hawaiian students with transformative educational experiences, integrating academic success, cultural identity, and strong community support to help them find purpose and thrive.

Building Resilient Communities: Insights from the LA County Cities Summit
The Los Angeles County Cities Summit convened local leaders to share strategies for advancing sustainability, addressing climate resilience, extreme heat, and other pressing environmental challenges through policy and community-driven solutions.

Intercity Bus Ridership Grows Despite Service Cuts
Passengers continue to rely on intercity bus lines, even as cities shutter bus terminals and bus companies restructure to avoid financial failure.
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.
City of Bakersfield
Standridge Inc.
City of Brookings
Harvard GSD Executive Education
Chaddick Institute at DePaul University
Great Falls Development Authority, Inc.
HUDs Office of Policy Development and Research
NYU Wagner Graduate School of Public Service