Urban Development
Good Parks Good for Urban Economies
Anne Schwartz compiles recent studies on the economic value of parks, describing how an investment in parks by the city will result in a healthier urban economy.
The Megaprojects Shaping the Future of Abu Dhabi
Abu Dhabi is looking to develop itself into a new global arts hub, and an incubator of green technology. This piece takes a tour of two ambitious projects seeking to reform the oil-rich emirate.
What's Holding Back the UK's 'Eco-Towns'
British Prime Minister Gordon Brown's grand plans for 10 carbon-neutral 'eco-towns' haven't lived up to their fanfare, according to some. Now as things move forward, the goals have been watered down a bit.
Seattle's SLU Sees Slew of Development
Seattle's South Lake Union neighborhood is developing into a new high-tech hub in the city.
Will Plan It Calgary Lead Canada in Urban Sustainability?
Calgary's proposed plan "Plan It" seeks to lay out the city's future for the next 60 years, and it represents a dramatic shift away from unregulated suburbanization. It faces a lot of opposition.
Kunstler Says "Too Late" For High-Speed Rail
Returning from CNU, James Howard Kunstler reacts to a NY Times article about California's high-speed rail plans, and reflects on New Urbanism's shift away from traditional-neighborhood developments and into preparing for the 'long emergency'.
Dubai's Strange Development Pattern Spreading
The economic downturn has halted many projects in Dubai, but the show's not over in the elaborate emirate. In fact, its patterns of development may even be spreading to other cities around the world.
Most Unaffordable Housing, Most Livable Cities?
The Economist magazine has published it's list of the most livable cities in the world. But quite a few of these cities have the most unaffordable housing, complains Owen McShane.
Officials Demand High-Rise Crane Come Down
City officials in Chicago are demanding the removal of a high-rise crane which stands at the half-built Waterview Tower, a monument to the economic downturn.
New York's Coney Island Makeover Moves Forward
New York City's planning commission recently approved a plan to revitalize Coney Island.
Smart Growth Suburbia?
The Lighthouse at Long Island is a proposed 5.5 million sq. ft. of mixed-use development covering 150 acres of Nassau County. The developers see it as a new form of smart growth suburbia.
Boulder Limiting House Size
The buying and selling of development rights heats up in Boulder County.
Going to the Races
Locals are concerned that a real estate development approved to replace Hollywood Park, one of California's few remaining thoroughbred racetracks, will be underused in this housing crisis.
Retailers Fleeing Detroit
As recently as the turn of this century, retailers were taking a chance on downtown Detroit. But today, Starbucks, Borders and others are pulling their stores out.
The Return of Streetcar Architecture
Portland, Oregon sees the revival of building styles not seen since the last time streetcars rolled through the city.
Sidewalks Key Factor Influencing Physical Activity
A new study provides further evidence that incorporating sidewalks into existing neighborhoods is a practical and inexpensive way of encouraging people to exercise.
"Grow Smart Bay Area" Report Released
With great fanfare, the Bay Area's Greenbelt Alliance has released a new report, "Grow Smart Bay Area", the premise being that future population and job growth can be accommodated by infill and by doing so, will add to the region's sustainability.
Infill is Standard Operating Procedure
The U.S. Bureau of the Census is producing new data that shows how infill development is affecting urban areas. Wendell Cox says that the new data shows that infill has been happening since 1960 with or without mandates.
Letting Nature Take its Course
Facing urban decline and abandonment, a growing list of U.S. cities may be dramatically accelerating the process by returning vast swathes of land to nature.
Well-Designed Prison, Well-Behaved Prisoners
A prison design in Austria that emphasizes inmate comfort and dignity raises questions about the role architecture and design plays in preventing or encouraging more crime.
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.
Borough of Carlisle
Smith Gee Studio
City of Camden Redevelopment Agency
City of Astoria
Transportation Research & Education Center (TREC) at Portland State University
City of Camden Redevelopment Agency
Municipality of Princeton (NJ)
