Urban Development

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

Little Tokyo Los Angeles

How Los Angeles Can Design for Density

Good urban design can make growth more appealing.

March 1, 2017 - Streetsblog LA

Market Street, Center City

Council Proposes Plan for Transit-Oriented Development in Philadelphia

Philadelphia City Council seeks ways to spur development without creating new traffic issues.

March 1, 2017 - The Philadelphia Inquirer

Jefferson park Blue Line Stop

Mixed-Income Development in Chicago's Jefferson Park Faces Protest

A development on Chicago's Northside faces protests and picketers who don't want new density, height, or low income residents.

March 1, 2017 - Chicago Reader

Casino

Casinos Still Illegal in Georgia

A nascent effort to legalize casino gambling in the state of Georgia fell short of the necessary legislative support.

February 28, 2017 - The Atlanta Journal-Constitution

Old houses with large porch and colorful siding

Why Aren't We Building Middle Income Housing?

For low-income residents in high-cost areas, there's no substitute for the public sector to provide below-market rate housing. But for middle-income households, the market should be able to produce housing without subsidy. So why doesn't this happen?

February 28, 2017 - Shelterforce/Rooflines

Walkable Street

Study: Reduce Traffic with Mixed-Use Development

A new study explores how the built environment influences vehicle miles traveled.

February 27, 2017 - Streetsblog USA

Research Team to Study the Physiological Responses of Pedestrians to 'Physical Disorder'

Associate Professors Yunwoo Nam and lead PI Changbum Ahn from the University of Nebraska-Lincoln, were recently awarded an NSF grant entitled "Human-Centric Sensing Platform to Assess Neighborhood Physical Disorder."

February 26, 2017 - University of Nebraska College of Architecture

Vancouver Skyline

New Trump Tower Brings Controversy to the Vancouver Skyline

The second project bearing Trump's name will open next week in Canada. Donald Jr. and Eric Trump will be on hand for the opening. The mayor of the city will not.

February 25, 2017 - Associated Press via The Mercury 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.