Downtown Plan

View down Pennsylvania Avenue from above with Capitol dome in background.

Draft Plan Takes Aim at Downtown DC Revitalization

The plan calls for policies that support adaptive reuse, new housing construction, and improved public parks and facilities.

March 25, 2024 - Smart Cities Dive

View from street level of brightly neon-lit bars and theaters on Broadway in downtown Nashville, Tennessee.

Nashville Planners Release ‘Connect Downtown’ Plan

The city’s transportation department aims to make moving through downtown Nashville smoother and safer.

November 12, 2023 - Nashville Scene

Suburban Seattle

Everett's New Downtown Plan

Digging into the city of Everett's recent overhaul of its zoning and development regulations in Downtown and adjacent neighborhoods.

December 3, 2018 - The Urbanist

Suburban Seattle

Everett's New Downtown Plan Ready for Scrutiny

A public hearing offers a chance to analyze the zoning changes proposed by the "Metro Everett" downtown plan.

June 7, 2018 - The Urbanist

Downtown Boston

Boston to Launch New Downtown Plan

The Boston Planning & Development Agency will hire consultants to craft a vision for its rapidly changing downtown.

June 6, 2018 - The Boston Globe

PCH Santa Monica

Op-Ed: Slow Growth Fails the Paris Accords Too

Many local leaders spoke strongly against President Trump's decision to withdraw the United States from the Paris Climate Accords, but local land use and transportation policies still sorely lack any consideration of climate impact.

June 5, 2017 - Santa Monica Next

Everett

A New Downtown Master Plan for Everett, Washington

The city of 108,000 is preparing for major growth in the next 20 years.

December 30, 2016 - The Urbanist

Pedestrian-Friendly City

A New Method to the Planning Vision for Bethesda, Maryland

Montgomery County, Maryland is pursuing significant changes for Downtown Bethesda. The proof is in the draft Bethesda Downtown Plan—a long-range land use plan that would allow a new approach to density.

December 28, 2016 - The Washington Post

Toronto Streetcar

Meet the Avatars Helping to Plan Toronto's Downtown

Introducing a group of 16 avatars meant to represent the people who live, work, and play in downtown Toronto.

May 18, 2016 - Toronto

Sacramento Planners Hope for Revitalized Downtown Plaza

City planners reassert what many in Sacramento have known for years: that the city needs a remodeled downtown plaza, one that is less like a mall and more like city center.

February 22, 2011 - The Sacramento Bee

Downtown Dallas Breaks Freeways' Concrete Stranglehold

Dallas is hoping to break the ring of concrete created by the surrounding Central Expressway and Interstates 30 and 35.

October 8, 2010 - Dallas News

Downtown Plan Showing Wear

A battle over the height of a proposed skyscraper in San Francisco emphasizes the need for an update to the city's 25-yr old plan, says critic John King.

May 27, 2009 - San Francisco Chronicle

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.