Urban Parks
From Garden Cemeteries to Levittown
Tracing the story of the American suburban form.
How Pollinators Fight Warming Cities
Researchers are starting to understand how urban bee populations can support healthy green spaces and reduce the urban heat island effect.
Playgrounds as an Essential Amenity
A London organization is working to bring ‘adventure playgrounds’ to park-poor neighborhoods, arguing that outdoor play is a key factor in child development.
Urbanist Gil Peñalosa Running for Toronto Mayor
The former parks commissioner for Bogotá, Colombia is throwing his hat in the ring in Toronto’s mayoral race.
The Return of San Francisco’s Privately Owned Public Spaces
In San Francisco, you can find respite from city life in some unexpected places—if you know where to look.
First Part of Houston 'Land Bridge' Opens to Public
The land bridge over Memorial Drive will return 100 acres of green space to the area and provide a safe, convenient connection for humans and wildlife between the two sides of Memorial Park.
'Greening' L.A.'s Schoolyards
Advocates for increasing green space on school campuses say giving students a more healthy outdoor environment can also reduce the urban heat island effect and improve public health in historically underserved communities.
The Importance of Unintentional Nature in Cities
A new book argues in favor of spontaneous, informal natural spaces.
Mobile Recreation Program to Serve Park-Poor Areas
Los Angeles County launches "Park On the Move" initiative to offer recreational activities and opportunities in underserved communities.
Magic Johnson Park to Reopen in February
A much-needed park in South Los Angeles will reopen to the public after undergoing major renovations.
Santa Monica Mountains Acquires More Land For Conservation
The Mountains Recreation and Conservation Authority has acquired the final 150 acres of the 325-acre Triangle Ranch open space in the Santa Monica Mountains.
How Urban Design Affects Children's Cognitive Development
A European study suggests that good urban design can affect cognitive and motor function development in young children.
Denver Voters Will Weigh Open Space Development
Two competing initiatives seek to change city regulations for residential and commercial development on the city's parklands and open spaces.
Houston Residents Want to Build Pocket Parks on City-Owned Lots
In a park-poor neighborhood, vacant lots provide an untapped opportunity for small-scale parks.
Meet Some of New York City's Newest Parks
In a city where density is everything, these park projects make creative use of existing public spaces—and, in some cases, create their own.
10 of America's Most Beautiful Parks
With the pandemic, people need to see and experience beauty, nature, and parks more than ever. Learn more about some of America's urban oases.
From Parking Lot to Urban Green Space
The first of four new parks opening in Dallas in the next few years opened earlier this month—Pacific Plaza park.
Local Resistance for NYC's Open Parks Program
The Parks Without Borders program in New York City is intended to open parks to the rest of the public realm, but some local activists like their parks just how they are.
Trends in Community Park Landscape Design and Planning
Urban park planning and design needs to deliver a lot of community benefit from a small amount of space. The lessons that emerge
A Route Through the City, S.F. Crosstown Trail Opens
After five years of planning, a San Francisco trail now runs across the city linking neighborhoods and greenspaces.
Alamo Area Metropolitan Planning Organization
City of Kingsville
Princeton Planning
HUD's Office of Policy Development and Research
HUD's Office of Policy Development and Research
HUD's Office of Policy Development and Research
City of Spearfish
City of Lomita
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.
