Urban Development

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

San Francisco Parklet

The New 'Public Life Data Protocol' Aims to Revolutionize Public Life

The Gehl Institute, working with several public sector partners, has released an open source "Public Life Data Protocol."

November 7, 2017 - Gehl Institute

Arctic

A Local Perspective on the Future of the Arctic

Arctic communities have a front row seat to witness the effects of climate change.

November 5, 2017 - Cities of the Future

1,800-Unit Mixed-Use Development to Rise Where a Gravel Mine Once Stood

The proposed 3roots San Diego is treading now familiar territory by attempting to appeal to Millennials. Much more novel, however, is the project's reclamation of a former mining pit.

November 4, 2017 - The San Diego Union-Tribune

Urban Development Continues in the Dallas Suburbs

Mixed-use development brings density and anxiety to suburban Dallas.

November 4, 2017 - Dallas News

Downtown Oakland

Proposed Development Could Redefine Height in the East Bay Area

The Easy Bay of the San Francisco Bay Area isn't known for skyscrapers, with none of its high-rise buildings topping 25 stories. A newly proposed development could change that.

November 4, 2017 - The Mercury News

Riyadh, Saudi Arabia

Saudi Arabia Plans New Mega City on the Red Sea

The announcement by Saudi Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman to create the mega-city of NEOM would offer a Dubai-like 'free-zone' city.

November 3, 2017 - Bloomberg

Smart City Expo World Congress to Focus on Citizen Empowerment and Mobility

The event will focus on the strategies to empower metropolises and their citizens through active participation, critical reflection, awareness and access. The new Smart Mobility World Congress will be a global mobility hub.

November 3, 2017 - Cities of the Future

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.

Professor of Urban Planning

Harvard University Graduate School of Design

Transportation Planner I

KFH Group Inc.

Director, Strategy and Research

Greater Baltimore Committee

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.