Urban Development

Standing Up for the Brooklyn Bridge

David McCullough's Newsweek essay ponders the negative effects of a proposed development on the majestic Brooklyn Bridge's image.

April 30, 2009 - Newsweek

Battle Brews Over "Significant" Hotel's Fate

Now that Los Angeles' Century Plaza Hotel has been listed as one of the nation's most endangered historic places, preservationists argue the irony behind developers' plans to demolish the building to "green" the area.

April 30, 2009 - Los Angeles Times

The Art of Balancing Retail

Diversity is important to neighborhood commercial areas, but getting the right balance of retail and restaurants without disincentivizing the former is not so simple.

April 30, 2009 - Greater Greater Washington

Salamander Could Stymie Development

The U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service is considering listing the Tehachapi slender salamander as an endangered species, which could cause problems for large developments in California like the massive Tejon Ranch project.

April 30, 2009 - The Los Angeles Times

Plea for Preservation

Detroit, now no stranger to demolitions, ought to rethink what it does with its abandoned, historic buildings--which have long been bulldozed without much of a second thought.

April 29, 2009 - Next American City

Contemplating a Neighborhood Design Standard

The effects of the U.S. Green Building Council's new LEED-ND certification for neighborhoods leaves plenty of questions to be answered regarding its effects (intended or not) on land use, sprawl, and property values.

April 29, 2009 - REJournals.com

From Grimy to Green

Los Angeles mayor Antonio Villaraigosa has unveiled plans to turn an industrial parcel of land near downtown into "the global capital of clean technology."

April 29, 2009 - Los Angeles Times

Oregon Eyes a Tight Water Future

The municipal demand for water in Oregon is expected to increase by more than 61% by 2050, and many policymakers there are trying to figure out how to meet that growing demand.

April 28, 2009 - The Oregonian

Common Ground Found For New Urbanists and the Disabled

Disability-rights activists have criticized New Urbanists for raising entrances above ground level, which hampers accessibility. The 'Lifelong Communities' charrette in Atlanta found the two groups mending ways.

April 27, 2009 - New Urban News

Russia Plans Bridge to Nowhere

The Russian government is building a 2-mile bridge from Vladivostok to a tiny island in preparation for the 2012 Asia Pacific Economic Summit. Many in the country say the $1 billion plan is a waste of money and a bridge to nowhere.

April 27, 2009 - The New York Times

Assessing Place Change in the UK

This series from the BBC looks at how the UK's cities have changed over the last few decades, and what the lasting impact is of the billions spent for community redevelopment.

April 27, 2009 - BBC News

Brutalist High-Rises Finding New Life in Toronto

Toronto is moving forward with a plan to re-vision it's aging concrete high-rises as sustainable, mixed-use centers of urban development.

April 27, 2009 - WorldChanging

The Contested Future of Coney Island

Redeveloping Coney Island could be the biggest rezoning effort in New York City history. The controversial plan has many in the city up in arms.

April 27, 2009 - New York Daily News

New Urbanists Say They Missed an Opportunity in Virginia's New Street Rules

Virginia recently announced new rules governing the connectivity and width of streets. Some new urbanists bemoan that they may have muffed an opportunity to make the new standards even better.

April 26, 2009 - New Urban News

The Rise and Fall of an Arizona Exurb

This article from High Country News dissects the Arizona real estate collapse through the lens of one exurb.

April 26, 2009 - High Country News

Detroit Needs More Than Auto Industry Revival

As the automotive industry takes a deep hit during the current economic recession, many tie the Detroit's hopes to those of the auto industry. But Richard Florida argues Detroit needs to think beyond the car business.

April 25, 2009 - NPR

Doing the Waterfront Right

Philadelphia's SugerHouse waterfront development could learn a thing or two from San Francisco's Mission Bay neighborhood, according to this piece.

April 24, 2009 - The Philadelphia Inquirer

Opening the 'Superfund' Can of Worms

The EPA's proposal to list the Gowanus Canal as a Superfund site is getting mixed reactions from nearby residents and officials: some see the designation as a development-halting stigma, others as quite the opposite.

April 24, 2009 - The New York Times

In Miami, A Greenway May Rise From Developers Vision

As a developer turned bicycle activist, Brad Knoefler is trying to bring an urban greenway to one of Miami's most blighted neighborhoods. However, a myriad of red tape remains to be cut.

April 23, 2009 - Miami Herald

Affordable Mortgage Plan a Flop, Says Frank

The Hope for Homeowners Act was designed to allow foreclosed homeowners to keep their homes by drawing up new and more affordable mortgages for qualified applicants. Barney Frank is one of many proclaiming it a failure.

April 22, 2009 - NPR

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.