Density

Homes

In Appreciation of Gentle Density

How does one talk about density without frightening people? One term that's floating around is "gentle density," referring to the missing middle between mid-rise and detached homes.

March 12, 2017 - Metro Toronto

110 Freeway

In Building Homes Near Highways, L.A. Ignores a Public Health Issue

Los Angeles seems primed for a development boom, but when developments are built near highways there can be serious health consequences.

March 6, 2017 - Los Angeles Times

Accessory Dwelling Unit

A Portland-Brand Building Boom: Accessory Dwelling Units

It's possible that construction permits for accessory dwelling units, also known as granny flats or mother-in-law units, could surpass permits for regular homes.

March 3, 2017 - Portland Tribune

Little Tokyo Los Angeles

How Los Angeles Can Design for Density

Good urban design can make growth more appealing.

March 1, 2017 - Streetsblog LA

Walkable Street

Study: Reduce Traffic with Mixed-Use Development

A new study explores how the built environment influences vehicle miles traveled.

February 27, 2017 - Streetsblog USA

Full House Painted Ladies

San Francisco Can't Agree on Affordable Housing Formula

Mayor Ed Lee comes out against the city controller's proposed percentages for affordable housing, saying the numbers, "…have no relevance to what we economically can accomplish"

February 14, 2017 - San Francisco Chronicle

Boston Neighborhoods Find Controversy Following Residential Zoning Changes

An in-depth look into the political controversies stirred up in the Boston neighborhood of Jamaica Plain as a result of a proposed, density-adding zoning plan.

February 12, 2017 - The Boston Globe

London Skyline

London's Tallest Buildings Currently Under Construction

In a growing London, skyscrapers seem to be popping up everywhere, We Plan London catalogs the ten tallest.

February 8, 2017 - We Plan London

Orchard Station RTD Light Rail

A Planning Controversy of the Transit Oriented Variety in Suburban Denver

A controversy has erupted over a proposed vision for transit oriented mixed in a Denver suburb.

February 2, 2017 - The Denver Post

Cul-de-Sac

On the Municipal Balance Sheet, Central Districts Look Good

Charles Marohn analyzes Lafayette, Louisiana for how well (or poorly) its districts measure up in terms of infrastructure investment versus tax revenues. The results are telling.

February 1, 2017 - Strong Towns

HVAC

Study: Density Better Than Retrofits for Emissions

Just because a study says density is more effective than energy system retrofits in reducing emissions, doesn't mean that we have to settle for just one.

January 23, 2017 - Grist

Paris Aerial

Paris Officials Blame Airbnb for Shrinking City

Paris's most tourist-friendly neighborhoods are getting less dense: falling fertility rates, rising costs, and home sharing are all suspected as possible culprits.

January 18, 2017 - Quartz

Toronto Little Italy

Disproving the Worst Planning Misconceptions with Numbers

Walkability and density have been studied closely, and now their worth has been quantified and proven, according to Brent Toderian in a piece for Metro Toronto.

January 6, 2017 - Metro Toronto

Additional Study Necessary for Seattle to Pass Accessory Dwelling Units Legislation

A recent ruling by the City Hearing Examiner is a setback—but not necessarily a permanent one—for the city's efforts to loosen regulations on accessory dwelling units.

December 19, 2016 - Seattle Met

Rural

King County, Washington Won't Budge on Rural Developments

The city of Snoqualimie's requests to expand in to "rural" King County has been denied.

December 19, 2016 - KUOW

Parking

Transit Up, Parking Down in Seattle

Facing an affordability crisis, Seattle is betting on dense, walkable development. The transition away from guaranteed parking promises to be no easier here than elsewhere.

December 16, 2016 - The Seattle Times

Denver Streetcar

Denver Has Grown, but its Density Hasn't Changed Since 1950

The city of Denver lost its streetcar more than half a century ago, and it's been growing east ever since.

December 16, 2016 - The Denver Post

Columbus

A Showdown Looms as Developers Seek New Building Heights in Columbus

The region surrounding Columbus, Ohio could add a projected one million people by 2050, and developers are looking for new ways to meet growing demand for urban living.

December 5, 2016 - The Columbus Dispatch

Los Angeles

Op-Ed: Build a Dense Wilshire Corridor to Ease L.A.'s Housing Woes

Thom Mayne proposes a radical solution to Los Angeles' affordability/preservation problem: build up transit-friendly areas far beyond current densities, and leave the rest unchanged.

November 29, 2016 - Los Angeles Times

Seattle

Op-Ed: Environmentalists Must Fight for Density

Members of the Sierra Club and the Young Democrats of University of Washington come together to advocate more dense zoning in one of Seattle's most transit accessible neighborhoods.

November 22, 2016 - The Stranger

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.