National Register of Historic Places

New York City Transit

Historic Preservation Appeal Could Delay Penn Station Redevelopment

New York State's Historic Preservation Office has moved to place the notorious Penn Station on the National Register of Historic Places, potentially upending redevelopment plans.

December 14, 2021 - Bloomberg CityLab

An aerial image of the neighborhood of Buckman in Portland, Oregon.

Homeowner Groups Find an Antidote to Zoning Reforms: National Register Historic Districts

Many neighborhoods are moving to create historic districts on the National Register of Historic Places in response to the growing number of states, cities, and neighborhoods loosening single-family residential zones.

October 22, 2021 - Sightline Institute

An image of historic Penn Station when it was first built in 1910, viewed from the outside with people, carriages, and streetcars passing by.

What Is Historic Preservation?

Historic preservation is a controversial, highly contested cause, with a long history of failures and successes in the United States.

September 2, 2021 - James Brasuell

National Register of Historic Places Plaque

It's Time to Diversify the National Historic Register

The network of historic sites honors important events in the nation's history but overlooks places related to women and minorities.

December 27, 2020 - Los Angeles Times

Michael Graves

Portland Building, Remodeled Instead of Demolished, Might Lose Historic Status

A renovation saved the Portland Building, designed by postmodern pioneer Michael Graves, from demolition, but its likely doomed its status on the National Register of Historic Places.

June 21, 2019 - The Architect's Newspaper

Snowy Residential Neighborhood

Making Historic Preservation a Local Concern

The city of Portland wants more local control when it comes to determining matters of historic preservation.

February 16, 2019 - The Oregonian

Trailer Park

How Mobile Homes Fill a 'Critical Gap' in Affordable Housing

Cities across America have a housing crisis on their hands—should they be talking more about trailer parks?

April 27, 2018 - CityLab

Who Will Take This Historic Bridge Off Washington State's Hands?

Washington is seeking takers on a disused 92-year-old bridge, eligible for the National Register for Historic Places. This isn't an isolated phenomenon.

September 14, 2017 - NPR Planet Money

A Big Setback for $720 Redevelopment Proposal in D.C.

The long-controversial project that would add a mixed-use development on a long-dormant site in Washington, D.C. has encountered a legal setback in the D.C. Court of Appeals.

December 21, 2016 - DCist

Mario Lopez

Why Is Actor Mario Lopez Promoting a Stadium Next to an Historic Barrio in San Diego?

In San Diego, a battle is taking place between residents of historic Barrio Logan and proponents of an NFL stadium which threatens it. Actor Mario Lopez has been hired to sell the stadium proposal.

November 6, 2016 - UrbDeZine

Nuclear Reactor Building

University of Washington Prevails in Preservation Battle Over its 'Nuclear Reactor Building'

It's a story of Goliath beating David in a preservationist fight in Seattle, but not before raising questions about how a university fits intot he city's regulatory environment.

June 19, 2016 - Crosscut

Northwestern National Life

Minnesota's Modernism Gaining Historic Status

It might seem like a contradiction of terms, but many buildings labeled "modern" when built some 50 years ago are now considered "historic."

May 12, 2016 - MinnPost

Dallas skyline

Dallas Delays Controversial Downtown Demolitions

In what is described as a "Penn Station moment," Dallas has approved a demolition delay ordinance for historic buildings downtown. This is an uncharacteristic victory for preservation.

October 7, 2015 - The Dallas Morning News

Stays in Vegas: Six Neighborhoods Considered for National Register of Historic Places

A city famous for reinventing by any means necessary is looking to preserve some of its history.

August 12, 2015 - Las Vegas Sun

New York's Seedy History Hides in Plain Sight on the Bowery

Despite a decade of gentrification, New York "oldest streetscape" still retains enough of its historic character to warrant recent listing on the National Register of Historic Places. Sam Roberts explores the "palimpsest of New York City history."

April 21, 2013 - The New York Times

Future Looking Brighter for Landscapes of the Recent Past

While modernist buildings have fared somewhat better in the minds of preservationists, recent trends seem to indicate a more promising future for protecting the significant modernist landscapes of the recent past, says Charles Birnbaum.

March 19, 2013 - Dwell

The 'Loin's Grunge and Grime Now Historic

Stocked with architectural gems but fraught with crime, San Francisco's Tenderloin district has long been debated as a possible historic site. The debate is now over, as it was recently named to the National Register of Historic Places.

March 19, 2009 - San Francisco Chronicle

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.