Urban Development

Another California Columnist Rails Against CEQA Abuse by NIMBYs

With the help of housing experts, San Francisco Chronicle columnist Chip Johnson points to abuse of the California Environmental Quality Act by NIMBYs as one of the main reasons for the Bay Area's housing crisis. Ethan Elkind offers an opposing view.

March 14, 2016 - San Francisco Chronicle

Angry Man

What I Learned When an Angry Group Destroyed My Public Meeting

Introducing the Fiasco Files—a lighthearted look at those times when things went sideways in community engagement. This Fiasco File tells the story of an angry and vocal minority group and the havoc the raised at a public meeting.

March 14, 2016 - Dave Biggs

Manhattan Skyline

Manhattan's Glut of Condos Now a Glut of Apartments

Despite concerns than foreign investors would snatch up expensive condo properties around Manhattan, keeping the supply our of reach of local renters, analysts report rental prices are dropping as new supply enters the market.

March 12, 2016 - Bloomberg Business

Critic Raises Alarms About North Philadelphia Redevelopment Efforts

The Pulitzer Prize-winning architecture critic of the Philadelphia Inquirer is concerned about the large-scale redevelopment of North Philadelphia, under the leadership of the Philadelphia Housing Authority.

March 10, 2016 - The Philadelphia Inquirer

Traverse City

Sleepy Resort Towns Becoming Urban Destinations

Around the country, small, rural towns are experiencing the same political conflicts related to land use and planning more commonly associated with the city.

March 9, 2016 - Next City

Retail: Walkable Urban Primer with Southwestern Inspiration

Need some pointers on how to make downtown retail sing? Check out Hazel Borys' crib notes on Bob Gibbs' directions.

March 8, 2016 - PlaceShakers

Mountain View Breaks Rank—Approves Large Amount of New Residential Land Uses

According to a new plan approved by the city of Mountain View, developers could now add a large amount of dense housing on the doorstep of Google's headquarters.

March 8, 2016 - Vox

Landowner's Response to Development Failure: Call in the Klan

A landowner looking for revenge after neighbors and local officials prevented a proposal to develop 24-acres has gotten creative in irritating the locals.

March 8, 2016 - The Atlanta Journal-Constitution

Glenmont Metrocentre

How One Developer Is Delivering Urban Infill

Doug Bauer, CEO of one of the nation's largest homebuilders, describes the political and design decisions that contributed to the success of urban infill projects in four unique case studies.

March 8, 2016 - Doug Bauer

Seaside Entrance

The Same Old Misconceptions

Misconceptions about New Urbanism persist.

March 7, 2016 - Michael Lewyn

Chinatown Residents Create Their Own Plan to Prevent Displacement

In a city looking to land use regulations for answers to an affordable housing crisis, one collection of community groups attempted to create a plan of their own.

March 7, 2016 - The Architect's Newspaper

Report: High Housing Costs Responsible for California's Economic Woes, Not Taxes

The Golden State attracts high-end workers, while its high housing costs cause a disproportionate number of low and middle income workers to flee the state. The non-profit think tank, Next 10, delves into this crisis in three new reports.

March 7, 2016 - Next 10

Boston City Hall Plaza Overhaul Moves Forward

Boston has a plan to transform City Hall Plaza from a neglected opportunity into a year-round entertainment venue.

March 6, 2016 - The Boston Globe

Op-Ed: San Diego Should Look to Beaches to Increase Density

San Diego should look to its beach communities and its major intersections to achieve its housing and Climate Action Plan goals while minimizing community polarization, writes urban planning consultant Howard Blackson.

March 4, 2016 - UrbDeZine

McMansion

Empty Nesters Stuck in the Suburbs

Just when boomers are ready to return to the city to enjoy all its cultural offerings, they find themselves priced out. Many do downsize, however, from large single family homes to more urban areas close to home.

March 4, 2016 - The New York Times

Wood Frame Construction Has Yet to Catch Up to Regulations in Toronto

When it comes to housing construction, the best intentions of regulators aren't always enough to sway the market.

March 3, 2016 - Metro News

City Hall 'Outsider' on Opening Up L.A.'s Development Process

Los Angeles is experiencing an elevated anti-growth conversation and suspicion of insider dealings at City Hall. In the midst of this, a councilmember known as an "outsider" aims to reconcile his constituents with the city's development processes.

March 3, 2016 - The Planning Report

Columbus

Columbus Bucks Trends, Grows Steadily

The latest installment of the "Planners Across America" series visits Columbus, Ohio, for a conversation with Planning Administrator Kevin Wheeler.

March 3, 2016 - Josh Stephens

Revisiting the Archetypal Post-War Suburb

A CityLab article takes a trip to Levittown, Pennsylvania for a lesson in how places change, even when some places stay the same.

March 2, 2016 - CityLab

Local Preservation Board Wins Appeal in Seattle Development Battle

A development controversy in Seattle raises larger questions about land use regulation authority.

March 2, 2016 - The Seattle Times

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.

Community Development Director

City of Wisconsin Rapids

Professor of Urban Planning

Harvard University Graduate School of Design

Transportation Planner I

KFH Group Inc.

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100 Most Influential Urbanists

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Urban Planning Creators You Should Know

A short list of voices on social, video, and podcasting platforms.