Urban Development

San Francisco Considers More Aggressive Measures to Earthquake-Proof High Rises
The city has proposed tighter rules for new construction and a more active approach to securing existing tall structures from collapse.

'Huge' Office Campus Redevelopment Near Sears Headquarters Set to Go Forward
A sizable former AT&T campus in suburban Chicago will be redeveloped into mixed-use, despite "sluggish" local leasing activity and the potential closure of Sears' nearby headquarters.

Mapped: Every Building in the United States
Using data from Microsoft, the New York Times has published an online map showing the placement of every building in the country, in a simple black and white format.

Should Planners Run for Public Office?
In an opinion piece bemoaning the passage of legislation that gives the BART board new land use planning authority, BART Director Deborah Allen argues that planners won't make good directors because they lack independence.

Chicago Moves Forward Legislation on Obama Presidential Center
The former president's Obama Presidential Center, to be constructed in Chicago's Jackson Park, has faced opposition from nearby residents concerned about its effects on the area.

Op-Ed: Seattle Merely 'Inching Forward' on ADUs
They're a good start. But compared to similar policies in cities like Portland and Vancouver, Seattle's new policies around accessory dwelling units may be lackluster.

Plans for Massive St. Paul Mixed-Income Development Revealed
Occupying a site where Ford once manufactured automobiles, the eco-friendly, mixed-income development seeks to add 3,800 units of housing over the next decade.

Transit-Oriented Development Spikes as Fort Worth Prepares for New Commuter Rail
TEXRail, a commuter rail line connecting Dallas/Fort Worth International Airport to downtown Fort Worth, is scheduled to begin service in several months. With it has come a surge of investment in transit-oriented development.

Philadelphia Aims to Create or Preserve 100,000 Units of Housing
The city of Philadelphia released a document detailing its intentions around housing and related policies. The plan, which has been described as "ambitious," places a focus on equity.

Big Redevelopment Plan for Detroit Neighborhood, But Little Progress
The Detroit project was slated to become a massive sports and entertainment district. After five years, little has changed.

Another SB 827? Ambitious California Housing Bill Isn't Quite Dead Yet
It received a lot of press, but ultimately California's Senate Bill 827 went nowhere. Now, the state senator who introduced the bill is working with advocates who opposed it on another version that just might have better chances.

Bay Area Displacement and Gentrification Trends Have Regional Consequences
Displacement in the San Francisco Bay Area has resulted in distinct mobility patterns and significant race and class inequalities.

Visions for Lidding I-5 in Downtown Seattle
The notion of fully capping I-5 as it runs through central Seattle has been gaining steam. The city could stand to gain hundreds of acres of urban land.

Bond Measure Seeks to Remedy Austin's Affordable Housing Woes
A bond referendum on the November ballot would help Austin increase its supply of affordable housing.

San Jose Proposes Turning Schools into Teacher Housing, Faces Outcry
A San Jose Unified School District plan to relocate several schools and build affordable housing in their place has sparked controversy. The district says teachers increasingly can't afford to live in the area.

Op-Ed: Implications for Phoenix as Lake Mead Runs Dry
Metro Phoenix has a lot to think about as Lake Mead water shortages become ever more likely. A three-state drought contingency plan may only be a temporary fix for a problem that'll divide cities and stakeholders.

Toronto Mayoral Candidate Suggests Repurposing City Golf Courses
Former chief planner Jennifer Keesmaat wants to transform three failing golf courses into free public spaces.

Potential Height of Dan Gilbert's Detroit Skyscraper Rises Again
The final height of the tower that will become Detroit's tallest building may exceed 900 feet. The tower and its complex are expected to include retail, office, residential, exhibit, and event space.

A Year After Harvey, Homes Still Going Up on Houston Flood Plain
Despite the devastation wrought by Hurricane Harvey, builders and buyers alike are sustaining a market for new construction on land likely to get flooded again.

New Master Plan Envisions Brooklyn Navy Yard as Next-Gen Manufacturing Hub
Brooklyn Navy Yard Development Corporation's master plan for the site is a $2.5 billion bet that high-tech manufacturers can be enticed back to New York, bringing with them the economic heft to transform the whole area.
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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.
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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)