Frank Gehry is designing a skyscraper for Related's Grand Avenue project in downtown Los Angeles. Critics are concerned his work will be a modernist monstrosity in the middle of a walkable downtown.
"...Grand Avenue is downtown's -- and, indeed, L.A.'s -- pre-eminent commercial project in the making.
So why should anyone think twice about the Grand Avenue developer Related Companies' choice of architectural fountainhead Frank Gehry to design a high-rise building as part of its scheme for the site?
...As difficult as it is to believe, however, there are serious concerns about whether Gehry is an appropriate choice. Influential critics are not only raising questions about the direction Gehry’s recent work has taken, but also they hint that his idiosyncratic style could overwhelm a potentially great project."
FULL STORY: Grand Gesture, Short Sighted?

Maui's Vacation Rental Debate Turns Ugly
Verbal attacks, misinformation campaigns and fistfights plague a high-stakes debate to convert thousands of vacation rentals into long-term housing.

Planetizen Federal Action Tracker
A weekly monitor of how Trump’s orders and actions are impacting planners and planning in America.

In Urban Planning, AI Prompting Could be the New Design Thinking
Creativity has long been key to great urban design. What if we see AI as our new creative partner?

Cal Fire Chatbot Fails to Answer Basic Questions
An AI chatbot designed to provide information about wildfires can’t answer questions about evacuation orders, among other problems.

What Happens if Trump Kills Section 8?
The Trump admin aims to slash federal rental aid by nearly half and shift distribution to states. Experts warn this could spike homelessness and destabilize communities nationwide.

Sean Duffy Targets Rainbow Crosswalks in Road Safety Efforts
Despite evidence that colorful crosswalks actually improve intersection safety — and the lack of almost any crosswalks at all on the nation’s most dangerous arterial roads — U.S. Transportation Secretary Duffy is calling on states to remove them.
Urban Design for Planners 1: Software Tools
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Planning for Universal Design
Learn the tools for implementing Universal Design in planning regulations.
Appalachian Highlands Housing Partners
Gallatin County Department of Planning & Community Development
Heyer Gruel & Associates PA
Mpact (founded as Rail~Volution)
City of Camden Redevelopment Agency
City of Astoria
City of Portland
City of Laramie