Urban Development

Neighborhood Planning for Investment, Protections from Gentrification

The neighborhood of Homewood in Pittsburgh, PA is poised is poised for new investment but is still far from a gentrification tipping point. A proposed "cluster plan" walks a fine line for the neighborhood's future.

December 1, 2015 - Pittsburgh Post-Gazette

Habitat for Humanity

Habitat for Humanity Building Revitalized Neighborhoods

Greater Cleveland Habitat for Humanity has already been hard at work renovating homes and improving communities, with an ambitious goal to renovate 100 more homes in the next three years.

December 1, 2015 - Cleveland.com

Stahl House Los Angeles

Krugman Argues the Supply Side to Combat Urban Inequality

Paul Krugman, one of the most influential voices of liberal policy in the United States, has identified a culprit in the U.S. affordability crisis: over-regulation.

November 30, 2015 - The New York Times

A Quick Guide to the COP21 Climate Talks

World leaders are meeting in Paris this week for the United Nation's COP21 talks. But what exactly are the main topics of discussion?

November 30, 2015 - Doggerel

Competing Visions for East Village—San Diego's SOMA

Downtown San Diego's East Village neighborhood shares traits with San Francisco's SOMA, circa 1990s. However, there are competing visions for the area: academic and high tech vs. stadium and convention center expansion.

November 29, 2015 - UrbDeZine

Embarcadero

Urban Revitalization Through Highway Teardowns

Alana Semuels, staff writer for The Atlantic, examines highway teardowns beginning with the San Francisco Embarcadero in 1989 to see how they have worked in terms of revitalizing poorer areas or restoring the urban fabric that they destroyed.

November 29, 2015 - The Atlantic

Toronto from the CN Tower

Costs Soar for the Suburban Lifestyle in the Toronto Area

Famous for its focus on dense, infill development and quickly ascending skyline, the Toronto housing market is still plagued by rising housing costs at the single-family detached homes end of the spectrum.

November 28, 2015 - The Toronto Star

Businesses in Brooklyn Opening at Twice the Rate of Previous Decade

A Brooklyn Chamber of Commerce report offers compelling evidence of the borough's ongoing transformation.

November 26, 2015 - Crain's New York Business

Parking Sign

Mapping the End of Parking Minimums

The high cost of free parking is almost, but not quite, common knowledge. Many, but not all, people realize the pernicious effects of parking requirements. A map can help illustrate this spreading awareness.

November 25, 2015 - Strong Towns

Convention Center Arms Race Heats Up in Texas

Four major cities in Texas are either considering or constructing convention center upgrades.

November 25, 2015 - Community Impact Newspaper

Seattle Rental Market Trending Toward the Affordable

The Puget Sound Business Journal is reporting that landlords and developers are concerned about the effects on the market from a wave of new housing supply ready to come online in the region.

November 24, 2015 - Puget Sound Business Journal

Dallas Area Ready for More Greenfield Developments

A pair of articles details two new, massive greenfield developments on the way in North Texas.

November 24, 2015 - The Dallas Morning News

A Planner's Perspective on Brazil's Water Crisis

With water shortages in São Paulo making headlines around the world, Brazil is rethinking its approach to water infrastructure. Arup's Pablo Lazo gives his perspective on the various entities that are acting for change.

November 23, 2015 - Doggerel

Anchorage to Provide Permanent Housing for the Homeless

Newly elected Mayor Ethan Berkowitz has unveiled a new plan to end homelessness in Alaska's largest city, Anchorage. It focuses on providing permanent housing over the next three years for 300 adults who are living on the street and in camps.

November 22, 2015 - Alaska Public Media

Dallas Pushing for a Convention Center Upgrade

The age-old competition between cities to attract convention business is getting its latest public debate in Dallas, where stakeholders are preparing a proposal to bring the city's convention center into the modern era.

November 22, 2015 - The Dallas Morning News

Nicollet Mall

Whose Comfort Matters in Public Spaces?

In overhauling the appearance and ambience of a popular mall, the Minneapolis Downtown Council and the Minneapolis City Council have promoted strategies beyond heavy-handed policing, including philanthropy, social services, and community engagement.

November 21, 2015 - Shelterforce/Rooflines

Stories of Big Box Redevelopment Success—After Years of Frustration

The Minneapolis area yields two case studies of troubled sites, home to big box retailers, finally rejoining the community.

November 21, 2015 - MinnPost

Three Examples from San Francisco that San Diego Can Use for the I.D.E.A. District

Three examples of problem solving and "catalytic action" can help San Diego with its I.D.E.A. District, writes former SPUR director Jim Chappell.

November 20, 2015 - UrbDeZine

Revealed: A Splashy New Master Plan for Former Civic Arena Site in Pittsburgh

One of the country's most beautiful cities could get a dramatic new development project, calling on the design talents of Bjarke Ingels Group.

November 19, 2015 - designboom

Planning for Fitness in Oklahoma City

Six years ago, the 620-square-mile city had not one bike lane and forty McDonald's franchises.

November 19, 2015 - Huffington Post

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.