Urban Development

Capitol Hill DC

Construction Versus Conservation: A Local Case Study

In Washington D.C., ZIP code 20003 is split into two distinct areas: fiercely preserved Capitol Hill and the construction-heavy Capitol Riverfront. But where are rents skyrocketing, and what factors go into that equation?

August 2, 2018 - Greater Greater Washington

Texas

Breaking: Austin Moving on from CodeNEXT

The city of Austin's ambitious process of rewriting its Land Development Code has lost political support.

August 1, 2018 - Austin Statesman

HUD

HUD Took a Strong Stance Against Local Control and Hardly Anyone Noticed

Earlier this year, the U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development devoted an entire issue of a quarterly newsletter to land use regulations and the idea that local laws are strangling the nation's supply of affordable housing.

August 1, 2018 - James Brasuell

Green Cross

Detroit Legislation Limits Number of Pot Shops

Detroit has been fighting some of the provisions of a statewide voter initiative while trying to control an expected proliferation of pot shops around the city.

August 1, 2018 - Detroit Free Press

Inwood Hudson RIver

Op-Ed: Rezoning Would Mean a New Waterfront for a Manhattan Neighborhood

A rezoning plan for the neighborhood of Inwood could take a critical step forward this week.

August 1, 2018 - Crain's New York Business

Kentucky

Seeking 'Opportunity Zones' Investments

The city of Louisville is making the most of the Opportunity Zone program in the early stages of the new federal program.

July 31, 2018 - Insider Louisville

Twitter Headquarters

San Francisco Could Zone Out Workplace Cafeterias

Large corporations providing on-site cafeterias are considered a threat to local restaurant business.

July 31, 2018 - San Francisco Examiner

Green Buildings

Washington, D.C. Leads the Nation in Green Roofs

The nation's capital has more square feet of green roofs than any other city in the country.

July 31, 2018 - Smart Cities Dive

Tax

Study Critiques the Fiscal and Racial Consequences of Capping Property Taxes

A new report by the Center for Budget and Policy Priorities finds major flaws with property taxes in several states, and proposes a solution that could mitigate the least desirable consequences of limits to property tax increases.

July 30, 2018 - Governing

Twin Cities

City Planning Criticism at a Critical Point in Minneapolis History

A columnist presents criticisms and recommendations for both sides of the density debate as Minneapolis considers a new comprehensive plan.

July 30, 2018 - Star Tribune

Santa Monica 3rd Street Promenade

Wanted: A Language to Reflect the Diversity of Suburbia

The suburb/city distinction is too general and prone to exceptions.

July 30, 2018 - Build a Better Burb

Glenwood Green Acres, Philadelphia

Not All Affordable Housing Shortages Are Alike

The city of Philadelphia shows that not all affordability crises are created with the same mix of supply and demand.

July 29, 2018 - PlanPhilly

Downtown Cincinnati, Ohio

Parking Reform Gaining Steam in Downtown Cincinnati, Over-the-Rhine

A proposed Urban Parking Overlay District would end requirements for off-street dedicated parking in two of Cincinnati's busiest neighborhoods.

July 29, 2018 - UrbanCincy

Renton, Washington

Seattle Suburb Plans its Civic Core

The city of Renton, Washington recently approved a Civic Core Vision and Action Plan.

July 27, 2018 - The Urbanist

Op-Ed: Cap Philly's 10-Year-Tax Abatement

Qualifying developments are eligible for a ten-year tax abatement in Philadelphia. These op-ed authors say the abatement doesn't work as anything other than a government payout.

July 27, 2018 - The Philadelphia Inquirer

Durham

Evidence of Race's Role in Land Use Decisions

Analysis of a city's zoning and land use decisions over seven decades reveals the role race plays in decision making.

July 27, 2018 - CityLab

Urban Sprawl

Carbon Offsets for Suburban Developments? The Courts Could Decide

The county of San Diego wants sprawling suburban developments to buy carbon offsets, billing the idea as a fix to the region's housing affordability crisis.

July 26, 2018 - The San Diego Union-Tribune

Pittsburgh Redevelopment

Hazelwood Green Mega-Project Taking Shape in Pittsburgh

A 178-acre parcel of land, a trio of powerful foundations as owners, and looming planning approvals—it's time to take a close look at Hazelwood Green.

July 26, 2018 - Pittsburgh Post-Gazette

Detroit, Michigan

Parking Lot Snafu Corrected in the Detroit Zoning Code

One unclear illustration almost reaped a $1 million reward for the Illitch family, owners of the Little Caesars Arena, the Detroit Tigers, and the Detroit Red Wings.

July 26, 2018 - Detroit Free Press

Bike Parking

Reducing Cities' Carbon Footprints

There is more than one way for a city to systematically reduce it carbon footprint.

July 25, 2018 - Kayla Matthews

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.

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.