Australian urban planning critics are casting planning as the 'villain' in destroying the rapid suburbanization that has fueled a home-ownership dream. But this is a dangerous view, writes urban management professor Brendan Gleeson.
"Now the fists are shaking at planning from the federal watchtower. Planning is cast as the principal villain in a simple tale of Aussie battlers betrayed; of the great Australian home-ownership dream shattered by grasping, interfering state governments, egged on by tree-hugging home wreckers and crypto-Stalinist planners. By slowing the stampede into the paddocks, planning has ended the glorious suburban gold rush that promised wealth for all.
...The Prime Minister and the Treasurer have joined a children's crusade against planning launched by sections of the development industry. Perhaps they're seeking to deflect attention from the fact commonwealth taxes and policies (including immigration) are a large part of the present housing affordability pressures in cities (another inconvenient truth).
The anti-planning push is high-risk politics. Do its proponents know how much they are gambling? The intoxicating simplicity of its rationale and crudeness of its ambition suggest a mug punt.
The attack threatens to unravel the near consensus among most planners, developers and environmentalists, who support a compact city model as a guiding vision for our cities."
FULL STORY: Urban sprawl pushed to the limits

Trump Administration Could Effectively End Housing Voucher Program
Federal officials are eyeing major cuts to the Section 8 program that helps millions of low-income households pay rent.

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

Ken Jennings Launches Transit Web Series
The Jeopardy champ wants you to ride public transit.

Crime Continues to Drop on Philly, San Francisco Transit Systems
SEPTA and BART both saw significant declines in violent crime in the first quarter of 2025.

How South LA Green Spaces Power Community Health and Hope
Green spaces like South L.A. Wetlands Park are helping South Los Angeles residents promote healthy lifestyles, build community, and advocate for improvements that reflect local needs in historically underserved neighborhoods.

Sacramento Plans ‘Quick-Build’ Road Safety Projects
The city wants to accelerate small-scale safety improvements that use low-cost equipment to make an impact at dangerous intersections.
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.
Heyer Gruel & Associates PA
Ada County Highway District
Institute for Housing and Urban Development Studies (IHS)
City of Grandview
Harvard GSD Executive Education
Toledo-Lucas County Plan Commissions
Salt Lake City
NYU Wagner Graduate School of Public Service