Columbia

A aerial view of Ladera Ranch, California, showing a variety of buildings and open space.

What Are Master Planned Communities?

Now frequently associated with retirees and sprawling developments in the U.S. Sun Belt, master planned communities, also known as new towns or planned communities, were invented as an escape from the haphazard growth of urban areas in the mid-20th century.

August 24, 2021 - James Brasuell

A small town in the U.S. Midwest at dusk, with cars parked on a street lined with historic buildings and a water tower in the distance.

Small-Scale Manufacturing Can Maximize the Potential of America's Small Cities

Artisans and small-scale manufacturers offer tremendous economic opportunities for cities prepared to harness that creative and entrepreneurial energy.

August 19, 2021 - Ilana Preuss

Local Crafts and Goods

An Overlooked Economic Powerhouse for Small Cities

Attracting a major employer or a tech company is not the only economic development strategy that deserves attention and investment.

May 27, 2021 - Next City

University of Arizona

Coronavirus Wastewater Testing Yields Positive Results at Universities

Wastewater testing is being hailed as a success at the University of Arizona, credited for stopping a COVID outbreak. In Utah, wastewater analysis forced almost 300 students to quarantine for four days while awaiting their test results.

September 1, 2020 - The Arizona Republic

Georgia

Cities Positioning for an Expanding Venture Capital Market

Cities outside of the big coastal tech hubs have characteristics well suited for the high-tech sector.

November 15, 2018 - TechCrunch

South Carolina

Seeking Mixed-Income Housing Developers in Columbia, South Carolina

Columbia, South Carolina is concerned about the lack of affordable housing in its city, potentially making it difficult for fire fighters, teachers, and more to afford to live in the community.

November 9, 2018 - WIS News

The Mall in Columbia

A Suburban Success Story

The suburban, master planned community of Columbia, Maryland is many of the things urbanists hope their cities will become.

August 2, 2017 - The Washington Post

Coulmbia, Maryland

60 Years On, the Planned City of Columbia, Maryland Holds Up Against Change

The design for the planned city of Columbia, Maryland continues to influence new developments around the world.

June 12, 2017 - The Baltimore Sun

Midwest Flooding

Midwest Cities Preparing for the Water Management Challenges of Climate Change

Climate researchers are hoping to coordinate the efforts of Midwest cities toward creating plans and working toward more holistic approaches to climate change.

August 14, 2016 - University of Nebraska-Lincoln

One Town's Crackdown on Sidewalk Bikers

As Columbia, Missouri prepares to crackdown on bikers riding on sidewalks in the city's business district, not much attention is given to their safety on the street.

April 7, 2015 - Columbia Daily Tribune

U.S. Coal Exports to Europe Breaking Records

If President Obama is waging a "war on coal," as his critics claim, then Europe must be enjoying a love affair with America's high-carbon fossil fuel, and the most polluting variety at that. How could the world's greenest continent turn so brown?

May 8, 2014 - The Wall Street Journal - Business

Will Walkable Urbanism Transform a Pioneering New Town Into a "Real City"

Visionary developer James W. Rouse always wanted his planned community in Howard County, Maryland to be a "real city". As Columbia nears 50, a 30-year plan and new development seeks to fill in the community's "doughnut hole" with walkable density.

October 30, 2013 - The Baltimore Sun

South Carolina's Capital Declares War on Homeless

Fearing that a growing homeless population threatens 'the new Southern hot spot', public officials in Columbia, South Carolina have instigated an aggressive program to rid the city's downtown of its neediest residents.

August 26, 2013 - The New York Times

Bogota Plans Mass Tactical Urbanism Offensive

This weekend, Bogota, Colombia will launch its second 100en1día (100 in 1 day) event, a blitz of urban interventions meant to multiply the impact of citywide citizen activism exponentially. Cities across the world are following their lead.

April 26, 2013 - This Big City

Will Chavez's Successor Unleash Venezuela's Massive Oil Wealth?

For all his intentions to help the poorest in his country, Hugo Chávez's handling of the golden goose - Venezuela's massive oil wealth, was badly mishandled during his reign. Output decreased, debt increased, and he left behind a polarized society.

March 11, 2013 - The Wall Street Journal

Fixing a "Psychological Moat" That Divides a City

South Carolina members of the Urban Land Institute met in Columbia, South Carolina to offer suggestions for overhauling Assembly Street, a major downtown thoroughfare that separates distinct areas of the urban core.

October 17, 2011 - The State

Oil Bonanza In Western Hemisphere

New technology is allowing massive investment in oil drilling in North and South America, from Canada to Argentina. This article centers on the investment in the region's two largest economies, U.S. and Brazil, and its effect on energy geopolitics.

September 27, 2011 - The New York Times - Americas

Main Street Revitalization Efforts Turn a Corner

Having lured its first major retailer on Main Street, revitalization efforts in Columbia, South Carolina's urban corridor seem to be finally paying off.

May 26, 2011 - The State

Exciting Things Happening in Medellín

Medellín, Colombia is better known for drug kingpins than architects, but a boom in exciting contemporary architecture with a humanitarian approach has both planners and designers flocking to the city.

May 11, 2010 - The Los Angeles Times

'New Town' Columbia May Go Urban

The "new town" of Columbia, Maryland, was built in the 1960s as a model for new growth. The area has remained primarily suburban, but plans for a revitalization district could bring an urban look to this suburban town.

January 20, 2009 - The Washington Post

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.