Urban Development

Eight 'PlacePlans' for Michigan Cities

The PlacePlans project—led by the Michigan Municipal League and the Michigan State University School of Planning, Design and Construction—recently released plans for placemaking efforts in eight Michigan communities.

December 3, 2014 - Holland Sentinel

El Paso Approves Second 'SmartCode' Development

The El Paso City Council approved a $100 million SmartCode development.

December 3, 2014 - El Paso Times

Los Angeles Arts District Residents Resisting Plans for More Density

The Arts District in Downtown Los Angeles has seen plenty of chic newcomers in recent years—high-end cafes, restaurants, and expensive lofts. But a recently revealed plan that would allow new, dense construction has sparked controversy.

December 3, 2014 - Los Angeles Times

How Images Shape our Understanding of Places

An article by Ben Campkin, Marina Mogilevich, and Rebecca Ross examines how images shape ideas about cities—from "John Snow’s Cholera map to Le Corbusier's plan for a contemporary city and Moose's 'clean graffiti.'"

December 3, 2014 - Guardian Cities

Exposé: the $4 Billion World Trade Center Transportation Hub

Now that 1 World Trade Center has opened for business, more attention will go to another building with conspicuous civic purposes—the Oculus pavilion at the World Trade Center Transportation Hub.

December 3, 2014 - New York Times

2015: Year of the First-Time Homebuyer

New data released by online real estate marketplace Zillow suggests that 2015 will be a breakthrough year for first-time homebuyers.

December 2, 2014 - Zillow

New York Housing

Interview: Edward Glaeser Makes the Case for Cities

In a lengthy discussion shared by Marquette University, author and Harvard Economics Professor Ed Glaeser lays out the thinking behind his book "Triumph of the City," as exemplified by cities around the country and the world.

December 2, 2014 - Medium

facades of victorian style residences in San Francisco

Do Urban Neighborhoods Need Homeowners?

Alan Mallach describes the decline of and need for homeownership in urban neighborhoods.

December 2, 2014 - Shelterforce/Rooflines

On the Symbolism of Highway Protests

Freeways have a rare ability to symbolize both a mundane convenience and a bulwark of segregation. One columnist notes the powerful act of protesting racial injustice by closing freeways.

December 1, 2014 - nextSTL

Cyber Monday: A Placemaker's Case for Character-Rich Retail

As the shopping season begins, can the satisfaction associated with little shops cause us to be resilient and spend a little less? Maybe we should ease up on our zoning restrictions, and at least make it possible.

December 1, 2014 - PlaceShakers

To Understand New York's Needs, Think Beyond Manhattan

When most people think of New York City, says CUNY planning professor and activist Tom Angotti, they think of Manhattan. This excessive focus on a narrow slice of the greater New York metropolitan area needs to be reconsidered.

December 1, 2014 - Satellite Magazine

South Park Alleys

South Park Neighborhood in Downtown Los Angeles Partners for Greener Alleys

The South Park BID and LA Sustainability Collaborative came together to organize the "Green Alleys in South Park Visioning Report," with plans to connect its next steps in sustainable action to city, development, and third-party projects.

November 30, 2014 - Jessica Lall

Senior Pedestrians

Study: Walkable Neighborhoods Lower Risk of Cognitive Decline in Older Adults

Researchers continue to verify the health benefits of walkable neighborhoods. Most recently researchers at Kansas University found benefits that communities can use to ensure the quality of life of aging residents.

November 29, 2014 - Kansas University

Connecting the Dots between Architecture and Real Estate

Architecture and real estate often fail to recognize their inexorable connections. A new website draws out the themes linking the two fields.

November 29, 2014 - The Architect's Newspaper

Stahl House Los Angeles

Renewing the Idea of a Linear City

A Treehugger column picks up on the historic idea of the "Linear City" as a counter point to the current pressures to build up in cities around the world.

November 29, 2014 - Treehugger

Toronto GO Transit

Emerging Trends Report: Urbanization is the 'New Normal'

The Toronto Star picks up on the Urban Land Institute's Emerging Trends in Real Estate report, finding the trend of urbanization in Canada to reflect the trend in the United States.

November 27, 2014 - The Toronto Star

Control Room

A Dissenting Take on Smart Cities from Rem Koolhaas

A post on the European Commission website provides an edited transcript of a presentation by Rem Koolhaas in which the starchitect and author offers a scathing take on the ill effects of smart cities.

November 26, 2014 - European Commission

Cincinnati Hopes to Stay on a Roll with New Development Director Oscar Bedolla

Cincinnati recently hired Oscar Bedolla as its new trade and development director. Bedolla will play a key role in facilitating development in a city hoping to maintain its current upswing.

November 25, 2014 - Cincinnati Business Courier

Key to Good Planning? Coordination

Coordination is required to get urban planning projects from concept to construction, according to Los Angeles County Planner Clement Lau.

November 25, 2014 - UrbDeZine

Critic: Improve Lighting to Improve Dallas Walkability

Architecture Critic Mark Lamster sets aside the complex issues of lane configurations and traffic calming to focus on a key aspect of walkability: proper lighting.

November 24, 2014 - The Dallas Morning News

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.