Urban Development
Live Long and Prosper: Compact Development Increases Life Expectancy, Economic Development
The U.S. has lower average life expectancy than most peer countries. New research indicates that this results in part from sprawl. Life expectancy, economic mobility, mobility options, personal health and safety all improve in less sprawling areas.
No Parking Minimums and Also No Housing Development
Los Angeles is hoping that changes to the Cornfield Arroyo Seco Specific Plan will finally yield new residential developments.
Making the Case for Small, Shared, Electric Transport Modes
Tony Dutzik, senior policy analyst with the Frontier Group, presents three environmental reasons to support shared bikes and scooters, and why cities that have adopted climate plans should accommodate these small, clean, shared vehicles.
Chicago Launches Design Competition to Redesign O'Hare International Airport
This isn’t a speculative, unfunded design competition. The city has already promised to borrow $4 billion toward the $8.5 billion O'Hare 21 expansion plan.
Resource-Efficient Urban Planning Helps Achieve Economic, Social, and Environmental Goals
A new report shows that low-carbon development policies can help to achieve numerous planning goals including job creation, improved safety and public health, social inclusion, and improved accessibility.
Editorial Board: The Suburbs Need to Make Room for New Residents
Utah has generally made room for single-family homes in the past, but the Salt Lake Tribune thinks its time for new plans as the state faces demographic changes and worsening affordability.
Learning From Europe: Part 2 (Or, You Can't Have It All)
It is indeed possible to have a city full of low-rise buildings that is still compact enough for excellent transit service—but only if most side streets are used for mid-rise buildings instead of houses.
3 Keys to Ending Parking Minimums
What does it take to make the bold step toward ending parking minimums in an entire city?
Eyes from the Street – A Finer Filter
Evidence described here suggests that urban design for "eyes on the street" is not enough to lower crime.
A New Online Tool for Charting a Path to Sustainability
A new interactive research tool will make it easier for communities to build sustainability into their urban development plans.
Transit Proximity Means Higher Commercial Rents in Atlanta
Due in part to a parking shortage, Atlanta firms are doling out higher rents to get closer to MARTA stations.
The Grassroots Success of a Plan to Turn an NFL Stadium Parking Lot Into Playing Fields
An idea that began with a group of parents looking for a place for their kids to play will become a reality.
Regulating the Deliberate Emptiness of New York's Skyscrapers
Mechanical voids or stilts—whatever you call the trick of architecture that has been pressing the residential skyline in New York ever higher, the city is ready to regulate.
San Diego Not Even Close to Meeting Permanent Housing Goals for Homeless
The city’s new $6.5 million "bridge shelters" are providing a place to stay, but not accomplishing what they set out to do.
Thinkers in the Tropical Shade: Empowering Lessons for Livable Places
Thanks to the Australian-American Fulbright Commission and UN-Habitat's World Urban Campaign, fundamental relationships at the heart of urban public health and livability are under scrutiny in tropical Australia.
The State of New York City's Parks
A new report by the Center for an Urban Future signals the need for attention to the Big Apple's parks before they are beyond repair.
Report: Multi-Family Construction Outpacing Demand in Some Parts of the Country
A report on multi-family construction around the country explains why the rent is rising so slowly in the Dallas area despite large employment gains.
California's Law to Streamline Housing Already Having a Big Effect
A mega-project adding 2,402 units of housing, including 1,201 affordable units, is on a fast track to approval in Cupertino, California, thanks to a 2017 state law.
Mourning the Loss of the Dairy Queen in Rural Texas
As populations shrink, small towns are losing an important place to get together,,
Regrets of an Accidental Placemaker
My pitches for space usually centered around the developer’s needs and not the needs of the neighborhood or its residents. I didn’t pay much attention to what impact those events would have on the surrounding neighborhoods.
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
Camden Redevelopment Agency
City of Claremont
Municipality of Princeton (NJ)
