Sprawl
Debating the Relationship Between Compact Development and Driving
Leading researchers debate whether more compact urban development reduces automobile travel in the Journal of the American Planning Association. The issues are complex and important.
Tampa Bay Hasn't Invested in Public Transit, and it Shows
In terms of travel times, jobs, and facilities, Tampa Bay ranks last or close to last in every category that measures public transit service and spending.
Apartments, Cities, and Pollution
Some evidence suggests that apartments lead to more greenhouse gas emissions per capita than houses. Does this mean that suburbs pollute less than cities? Probably not.
Op-Ed: Houston Should Try to Kill Fewer Pedestrians
City officials in Houston have shown little regard for the safety of its people when they're walking outside, argues an op-ed in the Houston Chronicle.
A New Policy Agenda for Autonomous Vehicles: It's Time to Lead Innovation
A call for planners, policy makers, and the car industry to assertively lead the policy development in anticipation of the coming wave of autonomous vehicle technology.
Defending Washington's Growth Management Act
Washington state's 1990 Growth Management Act (GMA) is facing a renewed round of attacks from Republican legislators in the state. A post on The Urbanist says the latest bills designed to weaken the GMA go further than other recent examples.
New Urbanism Emerged in Response to Sprawl, but Does it Really Offer an Alternative?
Daniel Trudeau guest blogs about a recent article in the Journal of Planning Education and Research.
Farmland Preservation a Hot Topic in Idaho's Most Populous County
As the city of Boise and surrounding communities in Ada County, Idaho continue to grow and sprawl outward, agricultural land in the county may become a thing of the past.
The Smart Growth Movement: A (Partial) Success
Has the smart growth movement succeeded? It depends how you measure "success."
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.
Is There an Environmentalist Case for Sprawl?
Yes, sprawl is still bad for the environment.
Limitations on Rural Sprawl in Maryland Nixed
Changes in state law that rolls back regulations on septic systems could spark more residential sprawl in Maryland's rural areas.
Pedestrian-Friendly Malls Continue to Gain Popularity
Providence, Rhode Island is one of many cities to get mall-like retail center built with walkability in mind and set around a Plaza.
While Rural America Zigged, Suburban Sprawl Zagged
In 2016, Republicans did worse than usual in affluent sprawl suburbs, while gaining a little ground in working-class cities.
Modernizing Planning Codes in Montgomery County
Subdivision Staging Policy stirs passion and, some hope, progress in the Washington, D.C. suburbs of Montgomery County.
The Winners and Losers of Utility Rates
An example from St. Louis County shows one way that sprawl is subsidized by areas closer to the regional center.
The Massive Growth Along the I-35 Corridor in Texas
In a Forbes piece, Joel Kotkin details the rapid growth in population and economy (especially jobs) of Austin and San Antonio and the emerging city of San Marcos between the two.
Gov. Jerry Brown Condemns State School Bond Measure for Promoting Sprawl
Ten newspapers have joined California Gov. Jerry Brown in opposing Proposition 51, a $9 billion bond ballot measure endorsed by both Democrats, including the lieutenant governor, and Republicans.
How Far Will Houstonians Drive for Housing They Can Afford?
New research looks into how commuting times in the Houston area effect on housing prices.
Urban Containment: Sometimes Bad, Sometimes Not So Much
Some commentators on urban containment treat the issue as all-or-nothing: either strict limits on suburban development are good public policy everywhere, or they are good public policy nowhere. Perhaps a more nuanced view is appropriate.
City of Costa Mesa
Licking County
Barrett Planning Group LLC
HUD's Office of Policy Development and Research
Mpact Transit + Community
HUD's Office of Policy Development and Research
City of Universal City TX
ULI Northwest Arkansas
Town of Zionsville
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.
