New Urbanism

Seaside Entrance

The Four Phases of New Urbanism

Robert Steuteville discusses the slow, phased emergence of the New Urbanism. We are only partway through a change that will take generations. We are now immersed in the revitalization of cities. More phases will come.

March 12, 2015 - Better Cities & Towns

Carmel Indiana Theater District

The Rise Of the Smart Growth Suburb

Most of the suburbs of the 20th century weren't designed to last more than a generation or two. As many suburbs decay, or get replaced by farther-flung rings of new bedroom communities, Carmel, Indiana is trying something different.

February 24, 2015 - New Geography

View of Portland, Oregon from Pittock Mansion

Are Home Prices in New Urbanist Neighborhoods More Resilient? Evidence from Metro Portland

A new article in the Journal of Planning Education and Research (@JPER7) by Hongwei Dong of California State University, Fresno, asks whether New Urbanist developments were more resilient in terms of recovering from the 2008 real estate crash.

February 20, 2015 - JPER

Austin Race map

Does New Urbanism Have a Racial Problem?

In two parts, NPR's City Project examines Austin's premier mixed-use urban village built on the 700-acre site of the former Robert Mueller Municipal Airport which relocated in 1999. Part 2 is about racial tensions that have surfaced in the community.

February 16, 2015 - NPR

Preservation vs. Emulation: Can't We All Just Get Along?

Does the emulation of historic architecture in contemporary buildings constitute fakery? Scott Doyon says, "No!"

February 2, 2015 - PlaceShakers

Belmont Ice Rink

Retrofitting Dead and Dying Suburban Malls: What Works?

Denver is a national leader in retrofitting the Great American Suburban Mall. But how well are these retrofits working? A comparative analysis of field reports by college-age Millennials offers some insight.

January 25, 2015 - Dean Saitta

Accessory Dwelling Unit

Affordable Accessory Dwelling Units

Prospect Newtown, in Longmont, CO, has seamlessly integrated affordable housing by creating a host of accessory dwelling units (ADUs). The ADUs are perfectly blended within the town overall—and actually help contribute to the development’s success.

December 6, 2014 - Build a Better Burb

El Paso Approves Second 'SmartCode' Development

The El Paso City Council approved a $100 million SmartCode development.

December 3, 2014 - El Paso Times

palms

Trees In Urban Design: Are You Planting a Liability or Growing an Asset?

Trees are a vital element of urban design, one that must considered at every stage of planning, design and development.

October 12, 2014 - Congress for the New Urbanism

Downtown Denver

Millennial Fever: Taking Stock of Denver Placemaking

Denver's investments in placemaking—guided by the city's great appeal to Millennials—are a mixed bag of hits, misses, and open questions.

August 12, 2014 - Dean Saitta

Commuter Rail Station in Virginia Central to 'Transit-Oriented Sprawl' Plans

Among proposed examples of new urbanist communities, Greater Greater Washington calls out one, located along Prince William's Potomac riverfront, as particularly experimental, sprawling, and centered on a Virginia Railway Express station.

August 6, 2014 - Greater Greater Washington

Woman Walking

New Research: Are Women Empowered by New Urbanism?

Charlotte Fagan and Dan Trudeau (Mcalester college) study two New Urbanist neighborhoods in Minneapolis to understand the ways in which New Urbanism impacts the empowerment of women.

July 15, 2014 - JPER

Republican Party Logo

A Conservative Argument for Conservatives to Support New Urbanism

A prominent conservative blogger cites James Howard Kunstler, Edmund Burke, and Joan Didion in making the case for New Urbanist ideals of place, despite the stigma in conservative circles.

July 10, 2014 - The Week

Santa Monica Route 66

Anatomy of a NIMBYcide in Santa Monica

A look at how the previous approval of the Hines Bergamont Transit Village project was rescinded after pressure from community activists, by real estate developer and consultant Michael Russell.

June 15, 2014 - UrbDeZine

Reviewing San Francisco’s Presidio Conversion

The conversion of San Francisco’s Presidio military base to parkland is reviewed by Los Angeles County park planner Clement Lau.

June 10, 2014 - UrbDeZine

How to Put More Kick in Urban Parks and Recreation Planning

Los Angeles County planner Clement Lau makes a case for increasing the number of fields and facilities dedicated to a sport that is growing in popularity – soccer.

June 3, 2014 - UrbDeZine

California Updates Main Street Planning Guide

A newly revised guidebook by the California Department of Transportation describes how to plan and design highways and arterials that also serve as community commercial centers.

May 31, 2014 - Main Street California: A Guide for Improving Community and Transportation Vitality

How are California’s Bullet Train and Affordable Housing Connected?

California Gov. Brown’s support of high speed rail contrasts sharply with his gutting of affordable housing. Michael Russell, real estate developer and advisor, reviews pending bills and potential fixes for affordable housing.

May 27, 2014 - UrbDeZine

Albuquerque

New Urbanism's Impact on Mid-Sized and Smaller Cities

Birmingham, Michigan; Albuquerque, New Mexico; Providence, Rhode Island; and others that adopted a new urban approach 15 or 20 years ago have transformed themselves.

May 18, 2014 - Better! Cities & Towns

Guggenheim Museum

Are these 5 Buildings the Greatest American Architectural Achievements?

Jeff Caldwell, of Litchfield Landscape Elements, goes out on a limb and names the five best examples of American architecture. Is he right?

May 8, 2014 - UrbDeZine

News from HUD User

HUD's Office of Policy Development and Research

Call for Speakers

Mpact Transit + Community

New Updates on PD&R Edge

HUD's Office of Policy Development and Research

Top Books

An annual review of books related to planning.

Top Websites

The best of the Internet—since 2002.

Top Apps

Planning apps for a brave new world.

Top Schools

The definitive ranking of graduate planning programs.

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.