Urban Development

At $125 Million Per Acre—New York's Most Expensive Park Ever
A financing plan for a park near Hudson Yards would blow away precedent.

Transit-Area Tax Increment Financing Bill on Gov. Jerry Brown's Desk
Transit, affordable housing, TODs, active transportation and local governments should all come out ahead should Brown sign SB 961. The bill follows in the path of earlier legislation that created enhanced infrastructure finance districts.

'Vida' Examines Gentrification in East L.A. But Now Faces Backlash from Real-Life Protesters
A show about the impacts of gentrification in a working-class immigrant neighborhood in Los Angeles is generating controversy among those it represents.

The 'Philadelphia Housing Action Plan' Targets 100,000 Units in 10 Years
Philadelphia officials are calling a new housing plan the city's first comprehensive citywide housing strategy.

New Park, Now Under Construction, Would Be Atlanta's Largest
The Westside Park at Bellwood Quarry could eventually become the city of Atlanta's largest park.

In the Midst of a Housing Crisis, Soaring Costs Leave San Francisco Projects at a Standstill
San Francisco desperately needs more housing, but many projects sit unfinished as developers face cost challenges.

Donut County: A Villainous Raccoon, a Hole in the Ground, and the Effects of Gentrification
In a new video game, the player is a no-good raccoon wreaking havoc on the world around him.

Raleigh Could Legalize Accessory Dwelling Units—With Lots of Strings Attached
Residents in parts of Raleigh would be allowed to build accessory dwelling units (ADUs) on their property, if a majority of their neighbors approve the idea.

Walkable Suburbia
It's not impossible to reshape the suburbs to be more walkable, but it does require careful planning and design.

Evaluating Departing Mayor Rahm Emanuel's Planning Record
Chicago Mayor Rahm Emanuel made a surprise announcement this week that he would not seek a third term in office.

How Cities in the 'Heat Belt' Are Addressing Extreme Heat, the New Normal
As the number of excessive heat days steadily increases, cities face a range of new challenges. But they are also trying to get ahead of the problem while they still can.

Inclusionary Zoning Could Spread to Atlanta's Suburbs
Brookhaven, Georgia is rewriting its citywide zoning code, including density bonuses and mandatory inclusionary zoning in one of the new code's overlays.
Riverfront Trail Takes Shape in Atlanta
Open space and mixed-use developments could make the Chattahoochee River, where it runs along the border of Atlanta, more accessible. A proposed trail along the river took a tangible step forward recently.

Editorial: Why Elon Musk’s Tunnel to Dodger Stadium Is a Very Bad Idea
A closer look at a plan for Los Angeles linking Dodger Stadium to the subway points to the proposal’s many flaws.

Advice on How to Get More Involved With Planning
A roundtable discussion tackles the question about how to make those first steps toward more involvement with planning in the local community.

Classic Chicago Residential Architecture Disappearing Quickly
A recent report by the DePaul University Institute for Housing Studies finds the number of two-flats, three-flats, and four-flats in quick decline among the residential building stock of Chicago.

Alamo Plaza Revitalization Takes Small, Controversial Step Forward
Revitalization plans for the Alamo Plaza are moving forward, controversially, in San Antonio. The hope is to have investments complete by the 300th anniversary of the Alamo in 2024.

Visions of a Massive New Entertainment District in St. Louis
City officials have a new ambition for a corner of St. Louis once considered for an NFL stadium and an MLS stadium. Now the future site of an NHL practice facility, the surrounding area could become an entertainment district.

Not Refugees—Climate Change 'Pioneers'
A change of nomenclature shifts focus to the self-determination of residents relocating from the coast of Louisiana as rising seas inundate their homes.

BART Transit Oriented Development Bill Passed by State Senate
A controversial bill that would free BART to develop housing on the most transit oriented of development sites, its parking lots, has managed to clear the hurdles of the California Legislature.
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)