Urban Development

An aerial view of the Anchorage metropolitan area shows sprawling development surrounded by tall mountains.

With New ADU Rules, Anchorage Leading U.S. Zoning Reform Efforts

Anchorage recently passed a package of laws that will allow accessory dwelling units in commercial and residential zones, and, in a rare move, on residential lots with existing multi-family housing.

March 22, 2023 - Sightline Institute

New York City Zoning Map

Ranking Exclusionary Zoning: D.C., New York Metro Areas Top the List

A new database measures the restrictiveness of exclusionary zoning practices around the country. Exclusionary zoning, it turns out, is much more prevalent than commonly acknowledged.

March 22, 2023 - The Eviction Lab

Stockton Foreclosure

The Shifting Boomer Bulge: Major Short Sell Risk

Policy makers dealing with housing issues aren't fully absorbing the numbers. In the second of a series on the subject, Ben Brown and Dr. Arthur C. Nelson help clarify what's going on and what we can do about it.

March 21, 2023 - PlaceShakers and NewsMakers

A view of the Boise skyline, across tress int he foreground. The state capitol is visible amongst other office buildings.

Skyline-Defining High-Rise Potentially Coming to Boise

A rendering making the rounds in Boise depicts a 40-story apartment building that would be taller than all other buildings in one of the fastest growing cities in the United States.

March 20, 2023 - Boise Dev

 Red brick homes with blooming wisteria in foreground in Arlington, Virginia

Arlington ‘Missing Middle Housing’ Plan Faces Scrutiny

A proposal to legalize more housing types in northeastern Virginia has prompted vigorous debate among stakeholders.

March 20, 2023 - The Washington Post

Hillside home construction in the Porter Ranch neighborhood of Los Angeles, California.

YIMBYs and Environmentalists Team Up at Last

The politics of development in California achieved another significant milestone recently, when a YIMBY organization and an environmental advocacy organization collaborated on new land use legislation to be considered by the State Legislature.

March 19, 2023 - James Brasuell

Aerial Philadelphia cityscape by night with the City Hall tower in the foreground and Ben Franklin bridge spanning Delaware river in the back

Philadelphia ‘Lights Out Pledge’ Seeks To Prevent Bird Deaths

Migratory birds are often lured away from their normal paths by the bright lights of cities, with deadly results.

March 19, 2023 - Next City

A broad valley with two tall peaks in the background. In the foregound, but far below the view from the hill where the photo was taken, large freeways are visible.

Infamous 315-Unit Lafayette Housing Development Finally Approved

In a dramatic sign of how far zoning reform has come in the state of California, CEQA wasn’t enough to stop a 315-unit apartment development first proposed 12 years ago in the city of Lafayette.

March 17, 2023 - San Francisco Chronicle

View of back of moving van with back door open, loaded with boxes, next to a line of two-story apartment buildings.

Report: Pandemic Migration Accelerated Existing Trends

Despite some transformative changes and brief spikes in domestic migration, the Covid-19 pandemic seems to be exacerbating existing declines in internal mobility.

March 16, 2023 - Joint Center for Housing Studies of Harvard University

San Francisco, California

Backlash to San Francisco Development Spotlights City’s Conflicting Priorities

Residents of the Bayview neighborhood say they support new housing, but object to a proposed building that would replace one of the area’s only green spaces.

March 15, 2023 - San Francisco Examiner

Metrorail

Car-Oriented Cities See Rise in Car-Free Developments

No longer tied to minimum parking requirements, housing developers are starting to shift to more walkable, transit-oriented projects.

March 15, 2023 - Bloomberg CityLab

Google street view of Holland Gardens public housing complex

A Look at Planned Jersey City Public Housing Redevelopment

Plans for the Holland Gardens complex include a complete reconstruction of the site and mixed-income housing.

March 14, 2023 - Urbanize New York

Dusk view of blurred car lights passing on freeway with Houston skyline in background

How Houston’s Highways Impact Neighborhoods

A chapter in a new book highlights how highway construction forced changes and caused displacement in communities that included public housing developments.

March 13, 2023 - Next City

Electric bus in Austin, Texas

Austin Debates Parking Reforms Near TOD Projects

City officials are deciding how to change parking requirements for transit-oriented developments that are meant to discourage private car ownership.

March 13, 2023 - Austin Monitor

Woman in car stuck in traffic, leaning on her elbow in frustration

Friday Funny: Tired of Walkability? Try the ‘15-Hour City’

Worried that a 15-minute city will restrict your freedoms? Welcome to the alternative.

March 10, 2023 - McSweeney's

UN and New York City, Climate Week NYC 2020 is kicked off with a "March For Climate Justice NYC" on September 20, 2020 in New York City.

Environmental Justice Advocates Criticize Federal Assessment Tool

A tool designed to guide federal grant distribution may not prioritize the highest-need communities, while conflicting grant guidelines create challenges for local agencies.

March 9, 2023 - Route Fifty

Colorful umbrellas over an alleyway in RiNo Arts District, Denver, Colorado

A DIY Approach to Developing Creative Arts Districts

Communities in Colorado are using a do-it-yourself process known as “Call Yourself Creative” to establish new neighborhoods that leverage the arts for community and economic development goals.

March 9, 2023 - Ronnique Bishop

Vacant lot in Chicago, Illinois with skyline in background

Exploring the Ethics of Private Property Buyouts

Learn more about the various impacts of buying out private property with the intent of furthering urban development.

March 8, 2023 - Devin Partida

Aerial view of gazebo and surrounding lawn and buildings in Decatur Square, Decatur, Georgia

Decatur Reveals Proposed Downtown Master Plan Updates

The city wants to boost economic development in its historic core, improve transit and connectivity, and encourage more housing near its MARTA rail station.

March 8, 2023 - Decaturish

Cleveland, Ohio

Cleveland City Council Wants More Community Benefits From Developers

A proposed measure would require developers receiving city incentives to provide more benefits to local stakeholders and increase local hiring.

March 7, 2023 - Signal Cleveland

Planner II

City of Greenville

Planner I

City of Greenville

Rural Projects Coordinator (RARE AmeriCorps Member)

Resource Assistance for Rural Environments (RARE) AmeriCorps Program

New Updates on PD&R Edge

HUD's Office of Policy Development and Research

HUD’s 2023 Innovative Housing Showcase

HUD's Office of Policy Development and Research

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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.