Manhattan

A block of the Bowery in New York City seen from high above, with taxis and other cars passing on the street in front of the buildings.

Conceding Density, SoHo/NoHo Rezoning Plan Clears Final Hurdles

A closely watched rezoning effort in New York City cleared a key City Council committee last week, while making some concessions from the original vision to get across the finish line.

December 13, 2021 - TheRealDeal

New York City, New York

Rents Rise in New York City Even as Eviction Crisis Mounts

Although many tenants are still waiting for rental assistance funds to avoid eviction, rents are rising steadily in the city's wealthiest boroughs.

August 27, 2021 - The New York Times

People gather on a street with no cars during the L.E.A.F. Festival of Flowers in the Meatpacking District of New York City.

Permanent Car-Free Streets in Manhattan's Meatpacking District

The local Business Improvement District has decided to permanently block cars from a large swath of Manhattan's Meatpacking District.

August 11, 2021 - New York Post

Manhattan Retail

Too Much Commercial Zoning for Affordable Housing in SoHo's Controversial Rezoning Plan?

Mayor Bill de Blasio is crossing the finish line of his time in office at the same time as one of the most controversial rezoning processes of his administration.

July 22, 2021 - New York Post

Billionaires' Row

World's Tallest Residential Building Nears Completion in Manhattan

Central Park Tower, coming soon to New York City's "Billionaires' Row" was designed by Adrian Smith + Gordon Gill architecture.

June 22, 2021 - ArchDaily

Washington Square Park, New York City

Manhattan Residents Cling to Public Space Amid NYPD Crackdowns

The city's police has begun issuing citations and implementing curfews in public parks that became oases of social activity during the pandemic.

June 16, 2021 - Gothamist

West 72nd Street

Learning About the City by Running for Office

When you are trying to get people's attention, a city feels very different.

June 2, 2021 - Michael Lewyn

The Vessel

Suicides Prompt New Public Access Rules for the Vessel at Manhattan's Hudson Yards

The Vessel is reopening after closing for four months due to a rash of suicides.

May 27, 2021 - New York Post

Manhattan, New York City, New York

The Once and Future Park Avenue Promenade

The debate about whether the pedestrian-oriented changes made to the New York City streetscape during the pandemic should be permanent has a high-profile battleground on Park Avenue.

May 5, 2021 - The New York Times

Traffic in Manhattan New York

Op-Ed: Now is the Time for Congestion Pricing in NYC

The city's plan to charge vehicles entering Manhattan's central business district could reduce traffic and raise $1 billion a year for the city's transportation infrastructure.

April 26, 2021 - New York Daily News

New York City

Manhattan's Economy Depended on Office Workers. Now What?

With 90 percent of its usual commuters still working from home and a full return to the office highly unlikely, what will become of New York City's towering office buildings?

April 6, 2021 - The New York Times

Lower Manhattan

World Trade Center Rebuild Almost Complete With Approval of 900-Foot Mixed-Use Tower

Plans have been approved for the development of 5 World Trade Center, in place of a building damaged on September 11 and eventually torn down.

February 15, 2021 - The Architect's Newspaper

New York Governor

Massive, Expensive Redevelopment of Midtown Manhattan Proposed

New York Governor Cuomo's State of the State speeches last week included an ambitious proposal for a large-scale redevelopment project on Manhattan's west side, adjacent to Penn Station.

January 19, 2021 - New York Post

Skyscrapers

Vote for New York City's 'Building of the Year'

New York is still a place of bold architecture.

December 7, 2020 - 6sqft

New York City Development

Court Will Decide Whether to Reduce NYC Skyscraper's Height

The new skyscraper being built at 200 Amsterdam Avenue in Manhattan might be forced by an appeals court to remove 20 floors of the mostly complete building.

November 24, 2020 - Curbed

New York City Department of Transportation

Open Street Abandoned in New York

The New York Department of Transportation is changing the way it plans and manages open streets as political support for the concept wavers.

November 17, 2020 - StreetsBlog NYC

Manhattan

Judge Throws Out Plans for New Residential Skyscraper on Manhattan's Upper West Side

A residential skyscraper proposed for Manhattan's Upper West Side included a mechanical void that predated new rules in the city prohibiting the height-enhancing building practice. A judge still rejected the project as planned.

October 1, 2020 - Gothamist

Coronavirus

The Disconnect Between Virus Prevalence and Local Business Climate

Public health experts assert that to safely reopen the economy, the coronavirus needs to be contained. In Manhattan, where the virus is largely controlled, chain restaurants are closing while their sister stores in Florida are expanding.

August 18, 2020 - The New York Times

Manhattan, New York City, New York

Manhattan Residents Don't Want Empty Hotels to House the Vulnerable During the Pandemic

The Upper West Side of Manhattan is embroiled in controversy as local residents react badly to at-risk New Yorkers being housed in a local hotel for safety during the pandemic.

August 14, 2020 - West Side Rag

Inwood Hudson RIver

NYC Rezoning Plan Reinstated Despite Lack of Racial Impact Analysis

The New York Appellate Division's First Department made short work of a ruling that reinstated the Inwood NYC Action Plan, which a lower court dismissed in December 2019.

July 28, 2020 - City Limits

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.

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.