Public Benefits

Rendering of downtown Milwaukee sports stadium with soccer field

Sports Stadiums Bring Few Economic Benefits

While their developers often tout jobs and local economic development as benefits of major stadium projects, research shows these venues often make little impact on local economies.

August 11, 2022 - Urban Milwaukee

Looking up at One Vanderbilt and Grand Central Station in East Midtown Manhattan.

New Supertall Planned for Grand Central Station-Adjacent Property

A new supertall skyscraper will rise at 175 Park Avenue, rising next to famous neighbors on a prime block in Manhattan.

December 20, 2021 - 6sqft

Philadelphia, Pennsylvania

Mega-Project Trades Trail Funding for Extra Height

In Philadelphia, the Liberty on the River development will transform the Delaware River waterfront.

May 18, 2019 - PlanPhilly

Midtown East

Property Owners Jostle for Deals After Midtown East Rezoning

A flurry of air rights purchases have already begun as large property owners take advantage of Midtown East's upzoning. Some big names include JPMorgan Chase and the Archdiocese of New York.

March 1, 2018 - Crain's New York Business

Schuykill Yards Project Nets $5.6 Million to Neighborhood Programs

The Neighborhood Engagement Initiative funding from developers of Schuylkill Yards in Philadelphia is being called the largest program of its kind in the city.

July 29, 2017 - Curbed Philadelphia

Grand Central

Manhattan's Midtown East Rezoning Wins Critical Approval

A City Council committee's approval of a proposed rezoning of Midtown East represents a big win for the de Blasio Administration. The Bloomberg Administration fell short in an efforts to upzone the neighborhood in 2013.

July 27, 2017 - Crain's New York Business

New Neighborhood Plan in San Francisco Pitches the Public Benefits of Density

Central SoMa ("South of Market") in San Francisco will soon have a new neighborhood plan. Planners hope zoning changes will reap rewards in property values and public benefits.

January 21, 2017 - Curbed SF

Concerns Raised Over Property Tax for Minneapolis' Nicollet Mall Renovation

A debate over a special property tax assessment to fund a James Corner-designed redo of Nicollet Mall in Minneapolis raises questions about public benefit and value capture.

May 11, 2015 - MinnPost

Public Benefits Not Worth Density to Palo Alto Residents

Palo Alto’s planned community zoning has existed since 1951. As the real estate market in the Silicon Valley heats up, residents are questioning whether developers are abusing the density and height benefits they receive from the zoning code.

February 4, 2014 - San Jose Mercury News

(Stalled) Projects and Their (Unfulfilled) Promises

Across the U.S., cities bear the scars of giant projects stalled by the economic crisis. Too often, the public ends up with the short end of the stick.

September 14, 2012 - The Wall Street Journal

FREE Course: Walkable City 1: Why Walkability?

After describing his path towards focusing on walkability as the essence of good planning, Jeff Speck marches through his five principal reasons for making more walkable places.

Reinventing Malls: Planning Alchemy—Turning Gray Fields Into Gold

The course focuses on the opportunities and imperatives that shape reinvention of mall sites.

Top Books

An annual review of books related to planning.

Top Schools

The definitive ranking of graduate planning programs.

100 Most Influential Urbanists

The who's who of urbanism, according to Planetizen readers.

Urban Planning Creators You Should Know

A short list of voices on social, video, and podcasting platforms.