building construction

An image of Downtown Nashville with the Cumberland River at dusk.

Nashville Adopts New Mass Timber Building Standards

Mass timber buildings up to 18 stories high will now be allowed in the Music City.

August 9, 2023 - Nashville

The mangled remains of a residential tower after it collapsed in Florida.

The Problem With Miami Beach's High-Rises

Last year's Miami Beach condo collapse could portend more tragedy to come if developers don't address the risks of aging buildings and climate change.

February 7, 2022 - The New York Times

Beautiful Pink Flowers along the East River at Hunters Point South Park during Spring in Long Island City Queens

Two New Affordable Housing Towers Offer a Side of Climate Resilience in Queens

Two new buildings are under construction at Hunters Point South and will contain 719 units of affordable housing.

October 14, 2020 - The New York Times

Cross-Laminated Timber

Nation's Tallest Wood Building Coming Soon to Portland

Portland, Oregon lives up to its reputation as a testing ground for urbanism innovation by approving what will become the nation's tallest wood framed building.

June 7, 2017 - The Oregonian

Wood Frame Construction Has Yet to Catch Up to Regulations in Toronto

When it comes to housing construction, the best intentions of regulators aren't always enough to sway the market.

March 3, 2016 - Metro News

How Passive Houses Radically Reduce Energy Consumption

Passive house construction has gained traction in Europe, but has only recently started to get noticed in the United States. Writer Alex Ulam discusses the emergence of this design approach as well as its implications for use in the coming years.

July 2, 2015 - Doggerel

35-Story Wood High Rise Proposed for Paris

The winner of a design competition in Paris, France could push the limit of wood design and construction much, much higher than it's gone before.

June 6, 2015 - Inhabitat

Building Material of the Future: Wood

A proposed development in in the North Loop section of Minneapolis would be the first of its kind. According to the architect behind the design, the "T3" project, as its known, could be a harbinger of buildings to come.

March 3, 2015 - MinnPost

Toronto's New Building Code Adds Height for Wood-Framed Buildings

The beginning of 2015 saw changes to Toronto's building code that will allow wood construction up to six stories. Supporters of the code change see multiple potential benefits from the code change.

January 5, 2015 - Metro News

Accommodating D.C.'s Rapid Growth; Heat Map Shows Permits and Construction

Adding 1,100 people every month, Washington D.C. is in the midst of one of the nation’s most powerful examples of population growth. A recently developed heat map shows where supply is being built to meet the new demand.

January 15, 2014 - Greater Greater Washington

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.

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.