Urban Development

A Giant in an Era of Mega-Developments
In-depth reporting on the history and present of Related Cos., the developer of several of the largest mega-developments in the United States.

YIMBY Housing Policies Gain Support Among Democratic Candidates for President
A growing chorus of candidates seeking to challenge Donald Trump in 2020 are voicing support for the idea of relaxing zoning and land use restrictions to encourage the development of more housing supply in expensive U.S. cities.

The 'Building Boom' Myth
Contrary to popular myth, New York is not drowning in new housing.

As Vancouver's Wood-Framed Buildings Get Taller, So Do the World's
The potential benefits of building tall buildings with wood are numerous.

Zoning Change for Mixed-Use Developments, Density Near Transit Moves Forward
Until now, mixed-use projects have required a lengthy discretionary approval process in San Diego. That could change with a zoning change given preliminary approval by the City Council this week.

The Demonization of Developers
Developers can be our friends, according to this article, as they have been before.

Designs Revealed for Manhattan's First Public Beach
A designer was chosen in January, and conceptual rendering were released in July. Project boosters are also pushing an ambitious timeline that would start construction in late 2020.

Light Rail Coming to Everett in 2036—Grassroots Planning Already Underway
A new light rail station scheduled for 2036 has one group in Everett, Washington thinking big.

A New Transit Hub Pitched in Nashville
The city of Nashville is trying to get back on track with some of the projects proposed in the 2016 nMotion plan—even without the massive pot of transit tax money it could have won at the ballot box.

How the Green New Deal Could Transform the Built Environment
If it emulated and adapted the scope of its predecessor, the Green New Deal could transform the country in fundamental ways, with builders, planners, and architects playing central roles.

Housing Policy Preemption for Red States
While statewide efforts to loosen zoning restrictions have made news in (mostly) blue states like California and Oregon, (mostly) red states like Florida have been preventing local governments from passing their own housing policies.
Another 'Poor Door' in San Diego
The developers of a large residential development in the Seat Village neighborhood of San Diego is including a large number of apartments affordable to low-income residents, but in a separate building.

Scooter Companies Convene Advisory Groups to Promote Safety
Both Bird and Lime have organized boards of experts to conduct research and advise the companies as their micromobility ventures grow.

L.A. Program Brings Earthquake Preparedness to Neighborhoods
A new Los Angeles initiative looks to neighborhood councils to lead disaster planning efforts that involve more residents.

U.S. Falling Behind in Smart City Deployments and Key 21st Century Infrastructure
Recent reporting shows the U.S. falling behind its neighbors in both smart city deployments and 5G network rollouts—the latter of which is slated to be the connective tissue of these future cities. The news has some experts on edge.

Zoning for the Missing Middle in Cartoon Form, With Wizards
The city of Ottawa, Canada has produced another goofy animated video. This one explains its efforts to encourage more Missing Middle multi-unit urban housing.

Oregon Residents Wondering What Will Come as Statewide Zoning Reform Takes Effect
House Bill 2001 didn't ban single-family houses altogether, just single-family zoning, so change will take time, and money. There are a lot of unknowns for residents to grapple with when it comes to statewide upzoning.

New Chicago Residential Tower Sets a New Standard in a City Famous for Height
The newly opened Nema Chicago tower, at 76 stories, is the city of Chicago's tallest residential building.

The Urban Life of Spider-Man
Peter Parker used to struggle to pay the rent, and many people can relate to the superhero's precarious housing situation over the years.

Controversial ADU Allowances Approved in Maryland
Spirited protests weren't enough to stop the Montgomery County Council from allowing accessory dwelling units (ADU) in parts of the county.
Pagination
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.
Borough of Carlisle
Smith Gee Studio
City of Camden Redevelopment Agency
City of Astoria
Transportation Research & Education Center (TREC) at Portland State University
City of Camden Redevelopment Agency
Municipality of Princeton (NJ)