Regional Planning

Aerial view of green Memorial Park lawns and trees with downtown Houston skyline in background

Regional Government Reform on the Ballot in Houston

If Proposition B passes, Houston and other populous areas could gain more voting power in the region’s metropolitan planning organization.

October 31, 2023 - Bloomberg CityLab

Green Stormwater Infrastructure

What Is Green Infrastructure?

Green infrastructure harnesses nature to the benefit of the built environments as well as human and animal life.

July 25, 2023 - James Brasuell

Bike Parking

What Is Transportation Demand Management?

When a government creates incentives or disincentives to influence how and when you travel—that's transportation demand management.

July 19, 2023 - James Brasuell

Vintage 1929 map of Los Angeles

L.A. County's Regional Planning Commission Celebrates 100 Years of Service

The first planning commissioners were appointed by the Board of Supervisors in 1923, making the Regional Planning Commission the oldest county planning commission in the United States.

April 25, 2023 - Los Angeles County Department of Regional Planning

A map of transit-rich areas and urban centers in the Vancouver, British Columbia region.

Vancouver Approves New Metro 2050 Regional Plan

The region around Vancouver in British Columbia has a new 30-year regional plan.

March 2, 2023 - Daily Hive

Denver Union STation TOD

Colorado Could Reject Highway Expansion in Favor of Climate-Friendly Planning

A proposed transportation strategy could shift the state’s focus away from driving and toward incentivizing public transit use, walking, and biking.

August 15, 2022 - Colorado Public Radio

Maricopa County, Arizona

Major U.S. Metro Areas in a Transition Period, According to Census Analysis

The nation's growth slowed from 2010 and 2020, according to 2020 Census data, and demographers are still trying to figure out what population trends mean for the future of country's major metropolitan areas.

June 8, 2022 - Brookings

Treasure Valley

Different Approaches to Fast Growth in Idaho's Treasure Valley

Three cities on the periphery of the fast-growing Treasure Valley showcase different approaches to a sudden influx of newcomers.

April 18, 2022 - Idaho Press

MARC train going through the Gaithersburg, Maryland train station

Maryland Legislators Override Governor’s Veto to Support Regional Rail Investments

The latest round of Gov. Larry Hogan v. public transit goes to the latter.

April 13, 2022 - The Washington Post

Suburban Neighborhood

Resilience Planning for Suburban Growth

Whether or not the suburban shift accelerated by the pandemic continues, policymakers can implement climate resilience strategies and guide sustainable growth in both cities and exurbs.

April 12, 2022 - Brookings

An aerial view of New Jersey suburbs, with Manhattan and New York City in the distant background.

The Rise of the Megaregion

A new book outlines the benefits of public investment at the regional scale.

March 23, 2022 - Lincoln Institute of Land Policy

A freeway sign for an intersection showing Interstate 85 for Durham on the left and Interstate 40 for Raleigh on the right.

Research Triangle Region Cuts Back Highway Widening Plans

The Durham-Chapel Hill-Carrboro Metropolitan Planning Organization accomplished a major shift in transportation planning priorities.

March 2, 2022 - News & Observer

Denver Regional Transit

Underwhelming FasTracks Plan Inspires Transit History Lesson in Denver

FasTracks, one of the most ambitious long-term transit plans in the U.S., has been underway for over 15 years. With the finish line in sight, some locals wonder how useful the new hub-and-spoke system (regional routes connecting to downtown) will be.

February 28, 2022 - Denverite

A subdivision of large suburban homes, some with bright blue pools, sits atop a low hill in Hays County, Texas.

Pressing Pause on Development in the Shadow of Austin's Growth

The Dripping Springs City Council points to inadequate wastewater infrastructure and the need to update its comprehensive plan as reasons for the city's development moratorium.

February 17, 2022 - Community Impact Newspaper

MBTA Green Line

New Transit Oriented Zoning Criteria Proposed for Massachusetts

More details on the state of Massachusetts' game changing "Housing Choice" program are now available.

January 13, 2022 - Metropolitan Area Planning Council

A street sign announcing the city of Vaughan.

Council Votes to Allow Development on the York Region's Greenbelt

The York Regional Council took a significant step toward allowing development on a large chunk of the area's greenbelt—a move opponents say will set a dangerous precedent.

November 7, 2021 - The Narwhal

San Francisco Bay Area

Plan Bay Area 2050, Approved Last Week, Makes the Opinion Page

A traditionally controversial planning exercise, the regular update of the 30-year plan for the San Francisco Bay Area, has crossed the finish line again. Opponents aren't letting the issues rest, however.

October 26, 2021 - The Mercury News

Port Authority of Allegheny County

New Long-Range Transit Plan Adopted for Pittsburgh Area

A long list of transit projects is included in the NEXTransit long-range plan approved recently by the Port Authority of Allegheny County.

September 27, 2021 - Pittsburgh Post-Gazette

A freeway in Maryland near Washington, D.C., on the Capital Beltway with an exit sign for Wheaton.

New Long-Range Transportation Plan for the D.C. Region Will Include a Climate Addendum

The National Capital Region Transportation Planning Board has almost completed the latest version fo the Visualize 2045 long-range transportation plan, but it is already making plans to add a climate plan to the final product.

July 6, 2021 - Greater Greater Washington

Las Vegas Sprawl

What Is Regional Planning?

Regional planning addresses planning issues that cross local jurisdictional boundaries, like transportation or watershed protection. In other examples, regional planning offers a holistic approach to the interconnected systems and dynamics that shape physical and cultural landscapes.

June 9, 2021 - James Brasuell

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.