The Daily Source of Urban Planning News

HUD Secretary Mel Martinez To Run For U.S. Senate

Former HUD Secretary Mel Martinez will run for the Republican nomination for the U.S. Senate.

January 6 - FOX News

Traffic Circles Flummox Detroit Drivers

Roundabouts cause fewer accidents but require more space, which means higher land costs.

January 6 - The Detroit News

A Major Victory For Smart Growth Advocates

The Pennsylvania Supreme Court upholds multi-jurisdictional zoning that directs growth to densely populated areas while protecting rural areas.

January 6 - The Philadelphia Inquirer

A Lunch Bet On Public Transit

Two transportation writers bet lunch on who can get to work faster. One drives, the other takes public transit.

January 6 - The Los Angeles Times

Wal-Martization Of The U.S. Economy

Do planners have any responsibility for maintaining a fair distribution of income in the U.S.?

January 6 - The Nation


Granny Flats: A Short-term Affordable Housing Fix?

U.S. cities and states are rewriting zoning codes for second housing units -- often called 'granny flats'.

January 6 - USA Today

Historic Zoning Law Exploited For Development

Apartments are going up in the rural desert in Arizona despite inadequate water supply and sewage disposal provisions.

January 6 - The Arizona Republic


Green Acres Beckon, But Not For Long

Driving 20 miles for a gallon of milk, and strange night time noises make rural life untenable for rural transplants.

January 6 - The Washington Post

More Compact Lifestyle Centers Have Cost Advantage Over Malls

Lifestyle center require less land, and typically have higher sales that comparable malls.

January 5 - The Detroit News

Are Americans Ready For Small Cars?

From the Mini Cooper to even smaller BMWs, automakers are finding a market in small cars. The WSJ reviews the top contenders.

January 5 - Wall St. Journal

The End Of Loudoun County Purchase Of Development Rights Program?

Efforts to preserve undeveloped property in in Loudoun County are labeled 'feel-good waste.'

January 5 - The Washington Post

Goodbye History, Hello Olympics

In the rush to prepare for the 2008 Olympics, Beijing demolishes its historical sites to make way for modern development.

January 5 - The Globe and Mail

Quality Design Transforming Toronto Condo Market

Condo purchasers are becoming increasingly savvy about architecture and urban design.

January 5 - The Toronto Star

The Best View In Boston?

What if Boston left the Central Artery standing after spending $14.6 billion to replace it?

January 5 - The Boston Globe

Is Your City A Wi-Fi Leader?

Wireless networking is expanding fast, but who will pay for public hotspots?

January 5 - The Christian Science Monitor

HOT Lanes Or Lexus Lanes

Is congestion pricing an equitable system for congestion pricing, or a privilege for the rich? Columnist Jay Hancock offers his perspective.

January 5 - Sun Spot

How To Fix Smart Growth

Despite support from five consecutive governors, Maryland's progressive smart growth effort has seen only limited success. Here's how to fix it...

January 5 - The Washington Post

The Myth Of Gentrification

Urban revival is about recreating our nostalgia for the 1950's, but gentrified neighborhoods resemble a suburban subdivision more than an old city block, writes Michael Johns in The New York Times.

January 5 - The New York Times

Miami's New Face

The city's downtown and its art community are blossoming, but is luxury coming before the basics?

January 4 - The Orlando Sentinel

Billboards Of The Future: The Streets?

New York City's proposed street vendor laws could clean up the streets -– to make more room for city-endorsed advertising.

January 4 - New York Press

Post News
Senior Planner

City of Thousand Oaks

Community Development Director

City of Wisconsin Rapids

Professor of Urban Planning

Harvard University Graduate School of Design

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.

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.