The Charlotte Observer

What Subdivision Walls Tell Us About Our Values

A recent column cites the phenomenon of subdivision walls as an example of how Americans are neglecting and shunning the public realm.

June 27, 2007 - The Charlotte Observer

Is A Sheltered Suburban Childhood Good For Kids?

Parents who grew up in the city but raised their children in the suburbs wonder if they made the right choice.

June 14, 2007 - The Charlotte Observer

Charlotte Sacrificing Old Buildings For New Ones

Well intentioned but loose zoning regulations are threatening the character some of the city's historic neighborhoods.

June 5, 2007 - The Charlotte Observer

Can McMansions And New Urbanism Co-Exist?

Plans by the developers of Vermillion, a 400 acre New Urbanist community outside Charlotte, call for the addition of hundreds of 4,000 square foot homes to the original neighborhood of townhomes and small lot houses.

February 28, 2007 - The Charlotte Observer

Retirement Migration as an Economic Development Tool

Can retirement migration be a replacement for former industries?

October 9, 2006 - The Charlotte Observer

Charlotte Hopes For Transit-Oriented Development

While the city's light-rail system is plagued with construction delays and cost overruns, developers are waiting in the wings with plans for urban transit villages along the line.

September 27, 2006 - The Charlotte Observer

R-engineering The 'Big Box' Design

As planners in cities across the US fight the bland design and high vacancy rates of of encroaching big box stores, the industry becomes more flexible and begins experimenting with new designs.

November 24, 2005 - The Charlotte Observer

The Return Of The 'Mainstream American City'

With mid-sized cities like Charlotte gaining population, developers are looking at the alternatives to suburban living.

August 18, 2005 - The Charlotte Observer

Charlotte Bidding On NASCAR Museum

City officials are making a strong case for NASCAR to build its Hall of Fame museum in Charlotte, instead of Atlanta or Kansas City.

June 10, 2005 - The Charlotte Observer

The Next Big Thing: Urban Condo Conversions

Raleigh-area apartment complex capitalizes on a growing national condo building trend.

May 15, 2005 - The Charlotte Observer

Uptown Charlotte Experiences Building Boom

Plans for a mixed-use project have expanded.

April 28, 2005 - The Charlotte Observer

Can Streetcars Revitalize Urban Areas?

The city of Charlotte considers introducing trollys to help revitalize troubled neighborhoods.

March 19, 2005 - The Charlotte Observer

Google The Planet

The popular search engine adds a new feature -- a 3D digital model of the entire earth.

November 19, 2004 - The Charlotte Observer

New Urbanism And The Popsicle Test

CNU offers a simple "popsicle test" to determine if your neighborhood is a New Urbanist neighborhood.

November 15, 2004 - The Charlotte Observer

Jane Jacobs' Dark Age Ahead

Mary Newsom reviews Jane Jacobs' book "Dark Age Ahead"

September 15, 2004 - The Charlotte Observer

A Small Town With No Sprawl

The Charlotte Observer interviews the city manager of Hickory, NC, about his views on planning and development.

September 12, 2004 - The Charlotte Observer

Which Do You Prefer: Robert Moses or Jane Jacobs?

The Charlotte Observer offers a list of questions they want the city's next planning director to answer.

April 12, 2004 - The Charlotte Observer

Can School Design Improve Learning?

In the new urbanist community of Hometown, innovation is the key to education.

April 12, 2004 - The Charlotte Observer

How To Hire A Planning Director

The Charlotte Observer editorializes on the process of hiring a new planning directory for the city of Charlotte.

August 26, 2003 - The Charlotte Observer

Why Zoning Doesn't Mean Quality Of Life

The Charlotte Observers offers a summary of how zoning and "matter of right" allows for the building of junk, regardless of city plans or desires for a quality environment.

April 15, 2003 - The Charlotte Observer

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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.