Urban Development

New York Moves Ahead on New Historic District

The new district may be both preservationist and political.

November 7, 2016 - The Architect's Newspaper

Kids

Does Suburbia Promote Fertility?

In Joel Kotkin's new book The Human City, he argues that suburbanization promotes higher birthrates. But this policy doesn't seem to have worked so far.

November 7, 2016 - Michael Lewyn

D.C. Raises Taxes on Vacant and Blighted Properties

It got more expensive to neglect properties in Washington, D.C. this week.

November 6, 2016 - Washington City Paper

PCH Santa Monica

Santa Monica Ordinance Would Require Net-Zero Energy Standards for New Homes

Santa Monica is the first city in California to adopt an ordinance requiring new single-family homes be built to net-zero energy standards.

November 5, 2016 - Construction Dive

Jane Jacobs

Jane Jacobs's Legacy: 2016 Edition

New York magazine offers a long reflection on the shifting lessons offered by Jane Jacobs after a year of new books and a re-emergence into the public eye.

November 4, 2016 - New York

Atlantic City

New Jersey Taking Steps to Takeover Atlantic City

The state of New Jersey rejected a financial plan for Atlantic City, clearing the stage for a new, larger battle over control of the city.

November 4, 2016 - AP via ABC News

Oroville Drought

New California Law Empowers Local Governments to Plan for Climate Adaptation

State Senator Bob Wieckowski is working to help communities get the necessary tools to increase capacity for climate resilience.

November 4, 2016 - The Planning Report

Changing Miami

Sixty years of highway construction has significantly changed Miami's development patterns.

November 4, 2016 - Modern Cities

Manhattan

Poor Suburbs, Rich Cities: Popular Fiction

The false dichotomy of rich cities and poor suburbs is reductive and damaging.

November 3, 2016 - City Observatory

Portland

Report: Portland's Proposed Residential Infill Policies Could Slow Infill Development

Portland is expecting 123,000 new households in the city by 2035, so it's proposed a new residential infill policy to accommodate all those people. A new report argues, however, that the policy could have a chilling effect on infill development.

November 3, 2016 - Oregon Public Broadcasting

Beverly Hills

When City Planning Fails: Taking a Single Hotel Development to the Ballot

What Happens When A Beverly Hills Developer Decides A Ballot Initiative Is Easier than the Planning Process?

November 3, 2016 - The Planning Report

Pittsburgh

Pittsburgh's Lessons for Los Angeles and Beyond: Reinvest in Planning

The rules are changing, Tom Murphy says, and cities need to change, too.

November 2, 2016 - The Planning Report

New York Skyline Fisheye

12 Big Ideas for the New York City of the Future

Faced with a surging population and a need for big new ideas, Crain's recently tasked 12 design and planning firms to conjure up creative ideas for the city.

November 2, 2016 - Crain's New York Business

Los Angeles STreet

How Los Angeles Redefined Mobility as a Service

Los Angeles Department of Transportation General Manager Seleta Reynolds discusses her vision for urban mobility and the growing role of city leadership.

November 2, 2016 - The Planning Report

Flood

Small Number of Repeatedly Flooded Properties Account for Much of Flooding’s Cost

New policies may be needed to encourage more responsible development and keep builders from constructing structures that will inevitably be flooded.

November 1, 2016 - Pew Charitable Trusts

Philadelphia

Billboards Having a Moment in Philadelphia

A proposal to add billboard advertisements to a pair of city-owned buildings come at a time when residents, and the federal government, are already concerned about the proliferation of billboards in the city.

November 1, 2016 - The Philadelphia Inquirer

[Y]our Future, According to Chris Leubkeman

As leader of Arup’s global Foresight + Research + Innovation team, Chris Luebkeman spends much of his time thinking about how to build tomorrow’s cities today. Writer Peter Moskowitz spoke with him about aging and climate change.

November 1, 2016 - Doggerel

Climate Change

The White House Announces a Big New Resilience Collaboration

The White House yesterday announced several initiatives aimed at improving awareness of resilience practices around the country. One of the initiatives has enlisted 97 universities and other organizations to train design professionals.

November 1, 2016 - WhiteHouse.gov

Library

Professor: Good Planning Starts with Good Judgment

A Calgary researcher pushes for outcome-oriented planning.

October 31, 2016 - Calgary Herald

Plano's 'Legacy West' Mega Development Way Ahead of Schedule

The largest real estate project under construction in Texas, located in Plano, is wrapping up in about half the expected amount of time.

October 30, 2016 - Dallas 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.