Zoning
Millions in California at Risk Where Oil Wells and Wildfires Converge
Those living near oil and gas wells face increased risks from wildfires, which threaten these infrastructures and could lead to explosions, pollution, and other hazards, particularly affecting communities of color.
Slave Descendants in Georgia Fight to Overturn County Zoning Decision
Gullah-Geechee residents of Mcintosh County, Georgia, are seeking a referendum to reverse zoning changes they say threaten their community, one of the last in the South. County commissioners say they don’t have that power.
Wyoming Task Force Considers Statewide Zoning Reform
The state task force will examine six bills aimed at limiting local opposition to new housing development.
New Zealand Zoning Reform Targets Housing Production
New national rules will prevent local councils from limiting development in an effort to ease the nation’s housing crisis.
How to Repurpose Vacant Storefronts
Loosening restrictions on clean light manufacturing can revive dormant storefronts and revitalize communities.
NYC ‘City of Yes’ Seeks to Scale Back Parking Requirements
A rise in permit applications after recent changes to parking requirements shows how parking mandates stifle new residential development and raise the cost of housing.
Commentary: When Neighborhood Change is Inevitable
Changes in the size and type of housing can accommodate different living arrangements and offer opportunities for multigenerational living and aging in place.
COVID Isn’t to Blame for the Retail Vacancy Crisis
A drop in demand for retail space began well before the seismic shifts of the pandemic.
‘Emergent City’ Documentary Highlights Rare Anti-Gentrification Victory
The film charts the saga of a Brooklyn site called Industry City.
How Zoning Affects Greenhouse Gas Emissions
As the urgency of the climate crisis increases, a paper in the Notre Dame Law Review argues that increased density is not a universally effective strategy to reduce emissions and that different strategies are needed for low-carbon places versus high-carbon ones.
Connecticut Cities Slow to Submit Affordable Housing Plans
Per a 2017 state law, all cities and towns must submit plans for providing enough housing in their jurisdictions, but a lack of clarity and enforcement mechanisms gives the law little real power.
Vermont Land Use Case Could Go to Supreme Court
Property owners argue that a new law protecting wildlife corridors amounts to an unconstitutional taking of property.
Arizona Legalizes ADUs and Higher Downtown Density Statewide
Two new laws require cities to permit ‘missing middle housing’ near city centers and ADUs on all single-family lots.
Vermont Issues Missing Middle Housing Toolkit
The state wants to encourage mid-density development to ease the housing crisis and provide a wider variety of housing options for residents.
Is a Taco a Sandwich? It Depends on Your City’s Zoning Laws
A land use dispute in Indiana points to broader questions about zoning and property rights.
A Comic Book About Housing
In ‘Build, Baby, Build,’ economist Bryan Caplan makes the case for zoning deregulation in a graphic novel format.
Austin Reduces Minimum Lot Size
Smaller lot sizes for single-family homes can make construction more affordable and homeownership available to more households.
Minneapolis 2040 Plan Could Proceed Under New Law
A state law awaiting the governor’s signature could exempt comprehensive plans from environmental review, freeing the plan from recent lawsuits.
Rural New York Explores Creative Housing Solutions
Rural communities and small cities are implementing affordable housing solutions at the local level, while the state budget prioritizes urban areas.
Ohio Towns Move to Ban New Car Washes
City officials in northeast Ohio are putting limits on how many car wash facilities can open in their towns.
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.
Smith Gee Studio
City of Charlotte
City of Camden Redevelopment Agency
City of Astoria
Transportation Research & Education Center (TREC) at Portland State University
US High Speed Rail Association
City of Camden Redevelopment Agency
Municipality of Princeton (NJ)
