Urban Development

San Francisco Sprawl

Investigation Reveals Abuses of Affordable Housing Program in San Francisco

Every bit of affordable housing helps in expensive San Francisco, but some residents in the city's "Below Market Rental" units are illegally renting those units for thousands of dollars a month.

November 13, 2017 - KPIX

Microsoft

Bill Gates Buys 25,000 Acres in Arizona for a Master Planned 'Smart City'

The new community of Belmont will join Arcosanti as another attempt at turning Arizona desert into the next evolution of human habitation. This time, one of the richest men in the world is behind the plans.

November 13, 2017 - KPNX

Urban Revitalization

Streetcar Gentrification Fears in Milwaukee

Residents and stakeholders in Milwaukee welcome a proposed streetcar but are wary of gentrification

November 13, 2017 - Urban Milwaukee

Seattle SUper Bowl Parade 12th Man Flag

Mandatory Housing Affordability Details Released in Seattle

Seattle has released the long-awaited environmental impact statement for the Mandatory Housing Affordability program—a final step in the Housing Affordability and Livability Agenda process launched by former Mayor Ed Murray.

November 12, 2017 - Seattle Met

A Small Corner of an Atlanta Suburb Could Ditch Parking Minimums

The Brookhaven-Peachtree Overlay District will redraw the plans for a MARTA-adjacent part of the Atlanta suburb of Brookhaven.

November 12, 2017 - Reporter Newspapers

Big Brother

66 percent of Surveyed Cities Investing in Smart Cities Technology

The "Cities and Innovation Economy: Perceptions of Local Leaders" report reveals the traction smart cities technology is gaining in municipal budgets.

November 12, 2017 - TechRepublic

Uber's Accidental Argument Against Itself

The ride-sharing company produces a terrific illustration of how bad Bangkok traffic can be, but not how Uber would help.

November 11, 2017 - Streetsblog USA

Detroit - Renaissance Center

'Detroit Future City' Enters a New Stage

The Detroit Future City Implementation Office has completed a new strategic plan that will redirect the organizations revitalization efforts, four years after the city adopted the largely successful Detroit Future City framework.

November 10, 2017 - Detroit Free Press

Los Angeles, California

UCLA Students Want More Say in Local Development Matters

UCLA Graduate Students Association President Michael Skiles recently announced a plan to break with the Westwood neighborhood Council and establish a new neighborhood council that speaks for the development interest of students.

November 10, 2017 - Curbed Los Angeles

UPMC Skyline

Three New Hospitals Slated for Pittsburgh

The cutting-edge facilities are part of a $2 billion investment by the University of Pittsburgh Medical Center.

November 10, 2017 - Pittsburgh Tribune-Review

Germany

Planners for Climate Action to Launch at COP-23 Bonn

As part of Human Settlements Day at COP-23 on November 11, Planners for Climate Action will feature representatives of professional planners associations and planning school associations worldwide.

November 9, 2017 - Bruce Stiftel

Polling Place

Election Day Roundup: Land Use, Development, and Infrastructure Measures

Planetizen rounded up all the pertinent results from local and state elections on November 8, 2017. The main theme of the day: voters continue to support local and state sources of infrastructure funding.

November 8, 2017 - Planetizen

Portland Maine

Portland, ME, Voters Reject 'Neighbor Veto' of Zoning Changes

In a close vote, Portland (Maine) residents voted not to allow immediate abutters to reject zoning changes approved by the City Council. The referendum was initiated by neighbors opposed to a cluster subdivision proposed instea dof a conventional one

November 8, 2017 - Portland Press Herald

Mississippi River

New Orleans Closes Gap in Historic Riverfront Park Plan

New Orleans could create the largest stretch of public riverfront in the U.S., thanks to a public land swap.

November 8, 2017 - The Architect's Newspaper

Houston, Texas

Houston Planning Director Dispels Myths About the Effects of Harvey

An interview with Houston Planning Director Patrick Walsh, conducted after Hurricane Harvey ravaged the city and reduced its planning and infrastructure to a talking point for pundits. It's time to let the locals do the talking.

November 8, 2017 - Josh Stephens

Forest Park Southeast

A Form-Based Code Arrives in St. Louis

The Forest Park Southeast neighborhood in St. Louis has completed a years-long planning process—the result is a new form-based code.

November 8, 2017 - nextSTL

A Silver Lining for Detroit's Failed Soccer Stadium Plan

The renaissance of Downtown Detroit will not include a new soccer stadium, but don't call it a setback.

November 8, 2017 - Detroit Free Press

New York Street

Richard Florida: Urban Land Values Reflect Spatial Inequality

Overall, the value of American land is strikingly high. But it's the differences between and within cities that concern Florida.

November 7, 2017 - CityLab

Reimagining LA

P3 101: Comparing Infrastructure Procurement Models

Already a common means of delivering infrastructure in many countries, public-private partnerships are growing in importance in the United States, but how do they compare to other procurement models?

November 7, 2017 - Doggerel

San Diego Construction

San Diego Inclusionary Zoning Program Makes Headway

San Diego's Affordable Homes Bonus Program (AHBP), launched in mid-2016, increases incentives for projects that incorporate more affordable units. Developers are taking notice.

November 7, 2017 - Next City

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.