Urban Development

Houston Texas

Houston Commercial Vacancies Outpace All Large U.S. Cities

Commercial vacancies have "ballooned" in Houston, according to the Houston Chronicle, as the energy slump takes hold of the real estate market. The last time vacancies were this high: the oil bust of the 1980s.

August 8, 2017 - Houston Chronicle

Integration

What Does 'Gentrification' Really Mean?

No two people seem to quite agree on what the word "gentrification" means. If you're at all interested in what shapes our cities, you're bound to find yourself in a conversation about gentrification eventually—and you might find yourself in a fight.

August 7, 2017 - Modern Cities

Chicago Commute

Multimodal Transportation for Economic Freedom, Opportunity, and Security

Motor vehicles are expensive to own and operate. Many lower-income households spend more on transportation than they can afford due to a lack of affordable mobility options. The solution is more multimodal planning.

August 7, 2017 - Todd Litman

City Hall

Impacts of AVs and E-Commerce on Municipal Budgets

A new report from Urbanism Next/SCI takes you through a city’s budget—both revenues and expenditures—and describes the areas that will be affected as AVs become commonplace and e-commerce takes on an even larger role in retail

August 4, 2017 - Urbanism Next

Brooklyn

MIA or DOA? The Brooklyn-Queens Streetcar Fading Fast

The lack of news on the proposed Brooklyn Queens Connector (BQX) is hardly a death knell, but that doesn't mean no news is good news, either.

August 4, 2017 - Village Voice

New York Manhattan Chinatown

Glut of New Rentals Expected to Reset the New York City Market

When vacancy rates rise, rents should fall. In New York, reports disagree about how much vacancy rates are about to increase, and whether rents will drop at all.

August 4, 2017 - The Wall Street Journal

Los Angeles in 1939, as determined by the  Home Owners’ Loan Corporation (HOLC).

New Mapping Tool Illuminates the Consequences of Redlining

According to Next City, a new mapping tool from the National Community Reinvestment Coalition reveals the roots of gentrification in addition to making stark a history of discrimination.

August 4, 2017 - Next City

Kapan

Finding Solace in the Uniqueness of Landscape

Decades ago, Walter Benjamin theorized that pretty much everything could be reproduced—and, therefore, nothing was unique. This dismal conclusion, however true it may be, ignores the uniqueness of landscape.

August 3, 2017 - Common Edge Collaborative

1984 Olympics

Worldwide Response to the 2028 Los Angeles Summer Olympics: Skepticism

More than one media outlet praised Los Angeles' optimism for cutting a deal with the International Olympics Committee to host the 2028 Olympics.

August 3, 2017 - The Guardian

Austin Bus

When Parking Is Cheap, Students Don't Take the Bus

Students and faculty at Austin Community College are less inclined to make use of their discounted transit passes. But, why?

August 2, 2017 - Austin Monitor

Fast Food

Locals Organize a Protest to Save the Wrigleyville Taco Bell

The protest isn't likely to work, but some locals will miss a fast-food joint that they say serves as a democratic oasis in the neighborhood.

August 2, 2017 - Chicago Tribune

The Mall in Columbia

A Suburban Success Story

The suburban, master planned community of Columbia, Maryland is many of the things urbanists hope their cities will become.

August 2, 2017 - The Washington Post

Adams Morgan District

Neighborhood Commission Wants a Car-Free Street in D.C.

A popular neighborhood in Washington, D.C. is looking for ways to make its main drag more pedestrian friendly.

August 2, 2017 - Greater Greater Washington

Trump Administration

Is There Space for Planning in Trump's News Cycle?

An analysis of Planetizen traffic in the first six months of the Trump Administration reveals an audience still focused, despite so many distractions, on the future of communities.

August 1, 2017 - James Brasuell

Richmond Bridge

California's Housing Hypocrisy on Display in Marin County

Dan Walters, one of the most well known and longest tenured journalists and observers of California politics, has penned a scathing critique of Marin County's approach to growth.

August 1, 2017 - CALmatters

Maryland

Affordable Housing Incentives Get Pushback in Maryland

Montgomery County's plan for Bethesda calls for height bonuses in return for affordable housing. Residents neighboring the proposed incentive zones have successfully resisted that idea.

August 1, 2017 - Greater Greater Washington

How Zillow's Approach to Data Reshaped the Real Estate Market

Zillow's chief analytics officer and chief economist offers insight into the company's approach to data, models, and the real estate market.

August 1, 2017 - ZDNet

Los Angeles

Housing Density a Missing Link for Emissions Reductions in California

Emissions from electricity generation are decreasing while those from transportation are increasing. If communities don't increase housing density to change travel patterns, it will only get worse, but the challenges may be insurmountable.

July 31, 2017 - Los Angeles Times

New York Harbor

Building Resilience? There's a Standard for That

Resilience standards—like LEED--could transform building practices. But there are many standards to choose from, and few are aware that they exist. A new report helps planners and builders choose the right standard for every project.

July 31, 2017 - Laurie Mazur

Big Plans for Former Bethlehem Steel Parcel Near Buffalo

Officials in Erie County believe the former home of Bethlehem Steel, south of Buffalo, will be attractive to manufacturers given its proximity to Lake Erie and various highways and rail lines.

July 30, 2017 - The Buffalo News

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.