Urban Development

I-94

Civil Right Groups, Environmentalists Team Up to Block Milwaukee Highway Expansion

An already troubled proposal to widen the I-94 Freeway in Milwaukee has now encountered a legal setback.

March 8, 2017 - Milwaukee-Wisconsin Journal Sentinel

North Vancouver Skips Past 'Secondary Suites,' Allows a Third 'Coach House' on Every Lot

While some cities debate secondary units and parking controversies, the city of North Vancouver is allowing three units on every single-family lot in the city—parking requirements not included.

March 7, 2017 - North Shore News

Los Angeles Residential Street

Los Angeles Planning Reforms Respond to Measure S

Councilmember José Huizar weighs the city's new rules against those proposed by the upcoming ballot measure.

March 7, 2017 - The Planning Report

AS Roma Stadio Olympico, Rome, Italy

Rome's Urban Planning Chief Quits in Stadium Dispute

Paolo Berdini, Rome's councilor for urban planning, has resigned from his position after clashing with the city's mayor over a new soccer stadium for AS Roma.

March 7, 2017 - Business Insider

Redevelopment

A New, Park-Filled Vision for Detroit's Waterfront

A new framework plan for Detroit's East Riverfront District will focus more on creating public spaces than a previous version of the plan. The proposed vision for the waterfront would expand Milliken State Park and create two new parks.

March 7, 2017 - Detroit Free Press

Urban Target Express in Berkeley, CA

Target to Enter the Urban Market in Big Way to Boost Lagging Sales

The Minneapolis-based retailer is thinking big by betting on a small store and the urban revolution.

March 6, 2017 - Modern Cities

new Mexico

Planners Across America: Making Albuquerque the Land of Enchantment, Not Confusion

The city of Albuquerque is focused on bringing consistency and coherence to an unwieldy collection of planning and land use regulations. An interview with Albuquerque Planning Director Suzanne Lubar explores the city's approach to the challenge.

March 6, 2017 - Josh Stephens

San Francisco

S.F.'s Transbay Transit Center: Grand Central Station of the West, or Billion Dollar Bus Station?

The developers of San Francisco’s Transbay Transit Center say it has the potential to change travel patterns in the region and land use in the neighborhood, as did New York City’s Grand Central Terminal. How realistic is this promise?

March 6, 2017 - Linda Day

Silicon Valley

California Investing In 'Transformative Climate Communities'

The California Strategic Growth Council has $140 million in cap-and-trade revenue for the new Transformative Climate Community program. The aim of the program is to catalyze environmental and economic investment in disadvantaged communities.

March 5, 2017 - The Planning Report

Redevelopment Without the Ills

Before 20th century urban renewal programs, U.S. cities were often overcrowded fire hazards and breeding grounds for tuberculosis and other airborne diseases. However, many of these programs also did severe damage. Is there a better way?

March 4, 2017 - UrbDeZine

Los Angeles River Kayak

Los Angeles Takes On Equity and Resilience With New Parks Funding

City and county leaders shared their plans for millions in new annual revenue at the 2017 VerdeXchange Conference.

March 4, 2017 - The Planning Report

Accessory Dwelling Unit

A Portland-Brand Building Boom: Accessory Dwelling Units

It's possible that construction permits for accessory dwelling units, also known as granny flats or mother-in-law units, could surpass permits for regular homes.

March 3, 2017 - Portland Tribune

Hollywood Sign

Los Angeles Nixes Transit Station Naming Rights Idea

The critical turning point for the Los Angeles County Metropolitan Transportation Authority's naming rights proposal can be summed up by an old adage: beggars can't be choosers.

March 3, 2017 - Los Angeles Times

Minneapolis

Big Idea: A National Park in Downtown Minneapolis

Details of a proposal to create a national park at one of the Twin Cities' region most popular destinations: the lock and dam at the Upper St. Anthony Falls, on the Mississippi River where it flows through Minneapolis.

March 3, 2017 - MinnPost

Texas residential

Mapping Austin's Residential Demolitions

Demolitions in residential neighborhoods have increased quickly in Austin, as property owners upgrade their homes to contemporary layouts. Community Impact newspaper investigates the trend.

March 2, 2017 - Community Impact Newspaper

Density

Debating the Relationship Between Compact Development and Driving

Leading researchers debate whether more compact urban development reduces automobile travel in the Journal of the American Planning Association. The issues are complex and important.

March 2, 2017 - Journal Of The American Planning Association

Downtown Los Angeles

Map: The Towers Changing the L.A. Skyline

In Los Angeles, Curbed has declared 2016 "the year of the skyscraper."

March 2, 2017 - Curbed LA

Gateway People Plaza

Chicago's 'People Plazas' Lacking a Key Ingredient

Launched with neighborhood-friendly ambitions, Chicago's people plaza program was meant to create revenue-generating gathering places. A Chicago Tribune editorial says it's hard to find any people at the plazas, however.

March 2, 2017 - Chicago Tribune

Theaters

Fits and Starts for New York City's Special Districts

There has been a lot of breaking news originating from both the Garment District and the Theater District in New York City this week.

March 2, 2017 - Crain's New York Business

Favela in Rio de Janeiro, Brazil

Rio's Pricey Sky Gondola Goes Full Stop

The sky gondola system built prior to the Rio Olympics has ground to a halt, leaving residents of the city's favelas with little to show for such a grand investment in infrastructure.

March 1, 2017 - DW.com

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.