Urban Development
San Francisco Plans for 82,000 New Housing Units
California housing regulators have granted preliminary approval for the city of San Francisco’s housing element as mandated by the state’s Regional Housing Needs Allocation process.
The Once-in-a-Generation Opportunity to Remake Downtown
Urban cores around the country were transforming into live, work, and play destinations before the pandemic. The pandemic was a setback for this transformation, but it could also be a rare opportunity. It’s up to city leadership to seize it.
Analysis: California’s Single-Family Zoning ‘Killer’ Barely Making a Dent So Far
Senate Bill 9, approved by the California State Legislature to much fanfare in 2021, has had little impact on the way local governments do development business, according to a recent analysis by researchers at the University of California.
Austin’s Changing Skyline
Multiple proposed skyscrapers are changing the shape of once low-slung downtown Austin, signaling the growth of the city as a technology and manufacturing hub.
Scottsdale Cuts Water Supply to Nearby Suburb
The city claims it has no responsibility to provide water to the unincorporated Maricopa County community.
Zoning Has Support for Sprawl: Subdivision, Covenants, and Mortgages
Zoning codes are not the only kind of land use control that has built the U.S. residential market on the suburban model for more than a century, according to a recent article in The Urbanist.
The Benefits of Walking in Urban Green Spaces
A new study by researchers in Virginia found that walking in a quiet urban setting with shade and greenery can significantly improve mood and reduce stress.
New York Governor Takes a YIMBY Turn
Governor Kathy Hochul wants to build 800,000 new homes in New York in the next decade.
Vancouver’s Spiral High-Rise Creatively Skirts Zoning Rules
To meet zoning constraints, the twisting skyscraper uses an innovative design that optimizes its small footprint.
Harley Davidson Includes Community Park in Headquarters Revamp
Milwaukee is about to get a major community space upgrade thanks to one of its most recognizable hometown brands.
NYC Mayor Proposes Office Conversion Plan
Proposed zoning updates that would make it easier to convert office buildings in commercial districts to housing and other uses could yield up to 20,000 new housing units in the next decade.
City Council Controversy Threatens L.A.’s Proposed Downtown Plan
A Los Angeles Times editorial explains how political intrigue is spilling over into planning frustration in the city of Los Angeles.
Zoning Reform: New Politics, Same Old Challenges
The political will for zoning reforms has never been stronger. The traditional opponents of development, however, are still finding ways to push back.
A $400 Billion City in the U.S. Desert
The latest futuristic city concept attracting attention on the internet is known as Telosa.
U.S. Greenhouse Gas Emissions Continue Post-Pandemic Rebound in 2022
Renewables generated more electricity than coal in 2022, according to preliminary estimates. Greenhouse gases still rose, however, due mostly to increased emissions from buildings.
Houston Office Park Continues Adaptive Reuse Trend
The former ConocoPhillips campus, built as a self-sufficient complex complete with a lagoon and fitness center, will be repurposed into a mixed-use waterfront development.
Proposed San Diego Code Update Seeks to Increase Density Near Transit
A set of proposed updates to the city’s development code would expand TOD zones and encourage more backyard dwellings.
How Zoning Changes Could Boost Housing Supply in Seattle
The Puget Sound region could benefit from zoning tweaks that would encourage more transit-oriented development and ‘gentle’ density increases, new research finds.
The Power of Urban Waterfronts
Humans' love of water makes waterways a particularly attractive urban amenity. Why did so many American cities let theirs languish?
Proposed ‘Conservation Districts’ Could Change Preservation in Houston
The proposed model could be a new tool for preserving historic neighborhoods with more flexibility and with a focus on reducing displacement and addressing community concerns.
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.
Municipality of Princeton
Roanoke Valley-Alleghany Regional Commission
City of Mt Shasta
City of Camden Redevelopment Agency
City of Astoria
Transportation Research & Education Center (TREC) at Portland State University
US High Speed Rail Association
City of Camden Redevelopment Agency
Municipality of Princeton (NJ)
