Urban Development

Seattle, Washington

Updated: Complete Coverage of Amazon's HQ2 Decision

The official news of Amazon's choices for its second location broke this morning, but hot takes were streaming in all day.

November 13, 2018 - Planetizen

Pilsen Chicago

The Problems With Tax Increment Financing and How to Fix Them

Tax increment financing (TIF) districts are common in municipalities across the country. However, the economic development tool is also poorly understood and often the target of criticism.

November 13, 2018 - Lincoln Institute of Land Policy

Gated House

Real Estate in the U.S.: More and More 'Million-Dollar Neighborhoods'

A new report from Trulia reveals the quickly increasing number of neighborhoods in the country that have a median home price touching seven figures.

November 13, 2018 - Curbed

Miami Traffic Jam

Study Finds Fewer Young People Want Cars

Driving is often marketed as fun and liberating, but millennials aren’t buying it.

November 13, 2018 - Chicago Tribune

Amazon Fulfillment Center

Amazon Makes It Official With New York and D.C.; Throws Another Curveball With Nashville

The reported selection of New York and Washington, D.C. as the dual winners of the Amazon HQ2 competition was officially announced this morning. Still, Amazon wasn't done with the surprises.

November 13, 2018 - Planetizen

Residential Development

Citing Lack of ADU Development, Ann Arbor to Refine its ADU Ordinance

After legalizing accessory dwelling units in 2016, the city of Ann Arbor hasn't added many accessory dwelling units. Some regulations designed to limit the number of ADUs developed have made the building type impossibly cost prohibitive.

November 13, 2018 - MLive

Brooklyn Open Space

Field Operations-Designed Domino Park In Brooklyn Reviewed

The long-anticipated Domino Park, located in front of the former Domino Sugar refinery on the East River in Brooklyn, was designed by James Corner Field Operations (JFCO).

November 13, 2018 - The Architect's Newspaper

Vacant Properties

Land Bank Trends in 2018

An economic development professional shares three key takeaways from a recent conference focused on land baking practices.

November 12, 2018 - The Port

Houston Sprawl

Houston’s Growth Poses Service Challenges

The Houston region continues to grow, and local regional governance is struggling to meet residents’ needs.

November 12, 2018 - Houston Public Media

Chicago Parklet Andersonville

Chicago Parklet Designed to Be Flexible and Cost Effective

A newly installed parklet in Chicago is part of a larger program to engage the city’s public spaces.

November 12, 2018 - Next City

San Diego metropolitan Transit System

San Diego Could Scrap Parking Requirements in 'Transit Priority Areas'

The mayor of San Diego has introduced a major parking reform initiative.

November 11, 2018 - Fox 5

Game

Sunday Fun: New Video Game Explains Land Use Politics

We're not sure if planners will find this game, since it's so close to real life, but maybe it will make a good recommendation for friends and family members?

November 11, 2018 - Greater Greater Washington

Sound Transit train

Mobility Plan Outlines Street Design Changes Around New Seattle Light Rail Station

The plan proposes both immediate and longer-term improvements for the area, including development of a pedestrian mall.

November 10, 2018 - The Urbanist

Center City

Philadelphia Project Seeks Diverse Array of Investors

A development project in Philadelphia is raising funds through a combination of Opportunity Zones benefits, federal tax credits, and crowdfunding.

November 10, 2018 - Next City

For Rent

Rent Control Rejected in California, But the Debate Is Far From Over

An opinion piece in CityLab reiterates the body of research showing evidence that rent control is not an effective tool in reducing housing costs.

November 9, 2018 - CityLab

South Carolina

Seeking Mixed-Income Housing Developers in Columbia, South Carolina

Columbia, South Carolina is concerned about the lack of affordable housing in its city, potentially making it difficult for fire fighters, teachers, and more to afford to live in the community.

November 9, 2018 - WIS News

New Orleans

Inclusionary Zoning Under Consideration in New Orleans

The New Orleans City Planning Commission recently released a report recommending three "potentially mandatory" inclusionary zoning initiatives. The city is working against a deadline from the governor.

November 9, 2018 - Gambit

Atlanta

Transit Oriented Development Spreads to the Suburbs

The Metropolitan Atlanta Rapid Transit Authority (MARTA) is working on mixed-use development plans for a location near Kensington Station, in DeKalb County.

November 9, 2018 - SaportaReport

Seattle, Washington

When Amazon Happens to Good Cities

After the news broke that Amazon was reportedly going to split its HQ2 plans between New York City and Washington, D.C., some cities are left console themselves. A Planetizen opinion piece picks up the pieces.

November 8, 2018 - James Brasuell

Los Angeles

CDBG Funds Not Useful Focus for Zoning Reform

Linking zoning reform mandates to CDBG funding is not an effective way to change exclusionary zoning.

November 8, 2018 - Brookings

FREE Course: Walkable City 1: Why Walkability?

After describing his path towards focusing on walkability as the essence of good planning, Jeff Speck marches through his five principal reasons for making more walkable places.

Reinventing Malls: Planning Alchemy—Turning Gray Fields Into Gold

The course focuses on the opportunities and imperatives that shape reinvention of mall sites.

Transportation Planner I

KFH Group Inc.

Director, Strategy and Research

Greater Baltimore Committee

Senior Planner

Eagle County Government

Top Books

An annual review of books related to planning.

Top Schools

The definitive ranking of graduate planning programs.

100 Most Influential Urbanists

The who's who of urbanism, according to Planetizen readers.

Urban Planning Creators You Should Know

A short list of voices on social, video, and podcasting platforms.