Planning is politics, an Atlanta case study.
"Atlanta will take a month to reconsider a controversial proposal to boost residential density in traditional neighborhoods," reports David Pendered.
The Atlanta Department of Planning and Development has been working on the proposed Comprehensive Development Plan for about a year, aiming to align the city's land use regulations with the Atlanta City Design vision created in 2017. The entire program has strong support from Mayor Keisha Bottoms and a template that echoes reforms supported by the Biden administration.
Now, however, Bottoms is not seeking reelection and the Comprehensive Development Plan is encountering opposition from councilmembers. Bottoms had emerged as a strong voice in support of pro-development planning reforms to deliver new housing supply to keep pace with rising demand (and prices) for housing.
Recommendations included in the current draft of the Comprehensive Development Plan include "providing housing for future residents by allowing owners to subdivide a house lot, and sell pieces of land for construction of one or more dwelling units," reports Pendered.
"Another plan is to allow a house near a MARTA rail station to be replaced by an apartment complex of eight units, or thereabouts."
Read the full story: Atlanta’s plan to boost density stalls in council; Mayor’s team doesn’t reveal intents
Atlanta City Council Adopts Amended Version of the City's New Comprehensive Development Plan
What started out as an ambitious example of planning and zoning reforms has been trimmed back to respond to opposition from neighborhood groups—and the threat of secession from one neighborhood in particular.
Widespread Neighborhood Opposition to Atlanta's Comprehensive Development Plan
A generational comprehensive planning effort hangs in the balance in the city of Atlanta.
Debating Atlanta's 'City Design Housing' Reform Movement
One of the most ambitious zoning reform efforts in the country is still in early stages, and the public has taken notice.
Planetizen Federal Action Tracker
A weekly monitor of how Trump’s orders and actions are impacting planners and planning in America.
California plans to bury El Niño’s downpour
If the state plays its cards right, it may be able to store a billion acre-feet of El Niño’s water in aquifers.
Chicago breaks ground on $3 billion megadevelopment
The new neighborhood, titled Foundry Park, will one day host 3,700 residences.
California High-Speed Rail Authority CEO resigns after $600,000 scandal
Under Ian Choudri, the authority used taxpayer dollars to fund first class flights and trips to nightclubs.
Want to study the Missouri River? Soon, you may need unanimous approval from 10 states
Legislation would require 10 governors’ permission to study or build projects moving water outside the basin.
Desperate measures: Advocates weigh draining Lake Powell to fill Colorado River
Draining the reservoir could reduce evaporation losses by a couple hundred thousand acre-feet.
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.
City of Rosemead
Rutgers University, Edward J. Bloustein School of Planning and Public Policy
One Hundred Miles
Hunter College, City University of New York (CUNY)
The Architects Foundation
University of Cincinnati Online
City of Cambridge
Montrose County
The Pocatello Development Authority