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Why Cities Work: Surprise
A few months ago, when I was still taking the bus to work - and walking from San Francisco's Transbay Terminal to my office - my favorite shortcut got strange. And I'm glad it did, because it helped me crystallize one of the necessary qualities for a great city: surprise.<br /> <br /> I'd taken to shaving a few minutes off the march by cutting down a narrow walkway between two skyscrapers. Tall brick on one side, tall concrete on the other. And at the end: pop. The backend of a simple plaza, bits of crummy retail and a Starbucks guarding the front.
Baseball Before Books?
An editorial argues that the D.C. government has confused "economic development" with true "public benefit" in its expensive quest to build a new baseball stadium.
Plan To Scrap Old Ships Stirs Pollution Worries
A proposal to haul old ships to Oregon for salvage and recycling presents a classic case of economic development versus environmental protection.
Think Tank's Green Thinking Garners Gold
The new headquarters of pre-eminent think-tank RAND received a LEED Gold certification for a building design that reflects the ideals of the institution.
Builders Make Retirement Plans South Of The Border
As baby boomers begin to retire, many homebuilders look to create resort and retirement communities to fit their needs in Mexico.
Boise Center No More
Boise, Idaho, is no longer the center of population in Treasure Valley, as density shifts west to Meridian.
Friday Funny: Free Toilets And Trees
The L.A. Department of Water and Power is providing the free installation services in an effort to reduce energy consumption citywide.
Banks As Developers
Federal regulators have cleared two national banks to develop office and hotel properties -- actions long barred by the Treasury Department. What does this imply for the development environment?
Weakening Eminent Domain Could Undermine Redevelopment
Across the nation, developers and city officials warn that weakening eminent domain could undermine rehabilitation of cities.
Reinventing Conservation Easements
In recent decades conservation easements—promises to restrict land development—have become enormously popular, but now they are in trouble.
Los Angeles Needs Parks...And Imagination
Los Angeles needs to use zoning, land swaps, tax breaks, and imagination to ensure green space for its residents says Patt Morrison.
Death In The City
There were 269 murders in Baltimore City in 2005, after a 1999 campaign promise by Mayor Martin O'Malley to reduce the number to 175. What do so many homicides do to a city's psyche?
Unequal Opportunity
A savvy lawyer continues to slide through a loophole in the D.C. Tenant Opportunity to Purchase Act, preventing longtime apartment residents from becoming homeowners at the time of sale.
Portrait Of A Borough
The New York Press' 'Brooklyn Issue' features commentary from 11 authors on the evolution of each neighborhood in the borough.
A Recipe For Smart Growth
Planner says for smart growth to be successful, it must consider economics, environment, and livability.
Advocates In Wi-Fi Hopeful Cities Get Political
The technology is here; now supporters need to garner enough political support and funding to make the dream a reality.
Virginia Governor Focuses Policy Efforts On Roads
Recently inaugurated official sets stage for "long-term transportation investment plan."
Scary Bus Stops
After conducting research on dangerous bus stops in Los Angeles, UCLA Professor Loukaitou-Sideris has embarked on another project to learn what strategies have been successful in addressing concerns by women about safety and the built environment.
Ending Traffic 101
The Gotham Gazette outlines a series of traffic reports and policies, analyzing the steps necessary to confront New York's 800,000-a-day car problem.
Learning To Think and Act Like A Region
The Pawcatuck Borderlands illustrates what is fast becoming one of the major puzzles in land use policy -- how to plan across boundaries.
City of Camden Redevelopment Agency
City of Astoria
Transportation Research & Education Center (TREC) at Portland State University
Regional Transportation Commission of Southern Nevada
Toledo-Lucas County Plan Commissions
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.
