Urban Development

Supreme Court

U.S. Supreme Court Won't Overturn California's Inclusionary Zoning Laws

The U.S. Supreme Court turned down a case with the potential to eradicate inclusionary zoning and in-lieu housing fees in the state of California.

November 3, 2017 - Los Angeles Times

Parking and Driving

A Parking Success Story in Philadelphia

It's much easier to talk the parking talk than to walk the parking walk. Philadelphia, however, is showing how to actually replace overabundant parking with walkable housing developments.

November 3, 2017 - Streetsblog USA

Pedestrian Only

Fresno Returns Cars to a Pedestrian Mall in the Name of Downtown Revitalization

While global cities in other parts of the world are taking steps to ban cars from city centers, Fresno, California has taken the opposite approach. Time will tell if the return of vehicle traffic to Fulton Street project pays dividends.

November 2, 2017 - The Fresno Bee

When Controversy Erupts Between the Master Plan and the Zoning Changes

Most planners have been there before: it's time to implement the goals of a newly approved Master Plan by rewriting the zoning code, and suddenly the public becomes outraged.

November 2, 2017 - Greater Greater Washington

Capitol Hill

Caps on Mortgage Interest, Property Tax Deductions Included in Republican Tax Reform Package

The mortgage interest deduction would be capped, as would property tax deductions, under a sweeping tax reform package proposed today by Republicans.

November 2, 2017 - The New York Times

The Wharf D.C.

$2 Billion Riverfront Development Now Open in D.C.

The first phase of Washington D.C.'s The Wharf is now open, bringing glitz to a formerly quiet section of waterfront.

November 2, 2017 - The Architect's Newspaper

Restaurant

Restaurant Development Leads to Fear of Oversaturation

A microcosm of development in the United States, a suburban strip near Chicago has seen a proliferation of restaurant development in recent years, fueled by Wall Street.

November 2, 2017 - The New York Times

Pennsylvania

Pennsylvania Voters Could Eliminate Property Taxes

A measure on the Pennsylvania statewide ballot in next Tuesday's election would change the state's constitution to allow local jurisdictions the ability to eliminate property taxes.

November 2, 2017 - WHYY

National Harbor

Prince George County Zoning Rewrite Is Greener, Less Car-Dependent

Now open for public comment, a proposed rewrite to the county's zoning code embraces green buildings, lower parking minimums, and increased public engagement by developers.

November 2, 2017 - Greater Greater Washington

Colorado Homes

Home Builders Oppose Changes to Property Tax, Mortgage Interest Deductions

The National Association of Home Builders has decided that the Republican tax reform proposal would lower property values.

November 1, 2017 - USA Today

Seattle

Revisiting Single-Family Zoning After a Political Setback

Few cities have gone so far in considering drastic changes to single-family zoning as Seattle did in 2015. Still, the discussion about single-family zoning would have to go a lot further to turn into meaningful reform.

November 1, 2017 - The Urbanist

Inland Empire

'Millennial Livability' Takes Shape in Suburban Inland Empire

The Inland Empire's housing boom and economic growth are attracting plenty of new residents—especially millennials.

November 1, 2017 - The Planning Report

Nuclear Weapons Plant

Report: Benefits in the Billions for a New Highway Through the Denver Suburbs

The proposed 10-mile Jefferson Parkway expansion would cross land once home to the Rocky Flats nuclear weapons plant—site of one of the country's largest environmental crimes.

October 31, 2017 - The Denver Post

Manhattan Skyline

Manhattan Community Group Resists 'Super Tower'

Plans for an 800-foot tower have attracted well-funded opposition from a community group. Its campaign to regulate the structure's height has spiraled into a big fight.

October 30, 2017 - Politico

Dallas

Downtown Dallas 'Smart District' in the Works

Spanning eight blocks, plans for the Dallas Smart District include offices, hotel space, and retail. Anchoring the development: a 78-floor tower that would become the tallest building in town.

October 30, 2017 - Dallas News

Suburban Density Retrofit, Vancouver-Style

Vancouver shows how to retrofit suburban sprawl with transit and density at a recent Lambda Alpha International event, attended and recounted by development consultant Jim Chappell.

October 30, 2017 - UrbDeZine

1970s

David Simon on the Uniqueness of New York

The creator of "The Wire" talks to CityLab about "The Deuce," New York City in the 1970s, and how strategies for one town won't always work for another.

October 30, 2017 - CityLab

Dangerous Intersection Gets an Overpass and a Cap Park in Golden, Colorado

The city of Golden, Colorado celebrated the opening of the Linking Lookout earlier in October

October 29, 2017 - The Denver Post

Washington

Livability Standards Have Arrived in the Pacific Northwest

The city of Bellevue, Washington has adopted new zoning and land use standards as part of an ongoing Downtown Livability Initiative.

October 29, 2017 - The Urbanist

bergen County, New Jersey

Opinion: Even Wealthy Counties Can Make Space for Affordable Housing

Bergen County, New Jersey offers a case study in overcoming decades of illegal and exclusionary zoning practices.

October 28, 2017 - NorthJersey.com

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.