Urban Development

Farmer's Markets Bucking the Trend

Architect Richard Reep argues that farmer's markets in Orlando are creating public space in areas that have all but rejected the idea of common ground.

December 19, 2008 - newgeography

When Neighborhoods Improve, Social Safety Nets Unravel

Residents of one Las Vegas community fear being evicted as an urban renewal project goes underway. According to this article, projects like this often hurt neighborhoods by destroying the social ties they once contained.

December 18, 2008 - Las Vegas Sun

Nighttime Urban Renewal

One lighting artist's work has helped revitalize and make nightlife possible in a number of European cities.

December 18, 2008 - Metropolis Magazine

OC City May Snatch Up Foreclosed Properties

Huntington Beach is one of a few cities that is weighing the option to purchase its own foreclosed properties, and eventually making them affordable housing.

December 18, 2008 - Orange County Register

Locals Oppose Jewish Developments

Around already-overdeveloped parts of Los Angeles, large developments planned by Chabad and other Jewish organizations have been facing some strong local opposition.

December 18, 2008 - Los Angeles Times

An Architectural Beacon of Hope in Skid Row

On the edge of Los Angeles' Skid Row, a gleaming white arts complex opens. A "stubborn declaration of hope," the center is intended to show architecture's power to create community.

December 17, 2008 - Los Angeles Times

Seattle's Affordable Housing Plan Blasted For Poor Timing

The Seattle City Council recently approved a new affordable housing plan allowing builders to develop larger buildings if they include a certain amount of affordable units. But developers say the plan is ill-timed and they plan on ignoring it.

December 17, 2008 - The Seattle Times

Boom Coming Soon in Louisiana

With a new four-lane highway and bridge, West Feliciana Parish in Louisiana is preparing for growth -- despite the economic downturn.

December 16, 2008 - Baton Rouge Business Report

Turning Big Box Blocks Into Mixed-Use

Mesa, AZ is adding a new land use category to its general plan to promote mixed-use, high-density development along the light-rail corridor- specifically in an area of West Mesa formerly dominated by WalMart.

December 16, 2008 - East Valley Tribune

Builders Chafe at Green Standards

The State of Connecticut will enact a new green building code in January, and builders are already calling it "awkward" and "unworkable".

December 16, 2008 - The New York Times

Growing People And Jobs While Shrinking Traffic

As New York City faces its worst financial crisis in 2 decades, a NYC D.O.T. study was released showing that from 2003-2007, the increase in jobs and people was accompanied by a slight decrease in traffic due primarily to increased transit usage.

December 15, 2008 - The New York Times

Rapid Buses To Serve Suburbs?

A local leader in the suburban Maryland/Washington DC area proposes aggressive use of "rapid buses" in dedicated lanes to accommodate growth, like other jurisdictions in the U.S.

December 14, 2008 - Washington Post

The Role of Urban Journalism in the Future

Dan Lorentz at Where blog takes a look at the current state of urban affairs journalism in these two posts. He looks at the role of bloggers and citizen journalists, and wonders what would happen if a city were to lose its daily newspaper.

December 14, 2008 - Where

Denver Pushes Projects to Fuel Economy

In an effort to revitalize the local economy, Denver Mayor John Hickenlooper has announced a plan to fast-track more than 200 construction projects in the city.

December 14, 2008 - The Denver Post

Duany Improves on Thomas Jefferson

Planner Andres Duany proposes a plan for Goodbee Square, near Covington, LA, that adds modern light-imprint urbanism to an old Jeffersonian idea.

December 13, 2008 - New Urban News

What's In A Name Anyway?

A lot, according to columnist Linda Robertson who makes the case for renaming the nation's most prized stadia. After all, she argues, many of them bear the name of the economy's most troubled corporations bailed out by Terry taxpayer.

December 13, 2008 - Miami Herald

Economic Tremors Felt By New Urbanists

"Economic troubles spread from housing to other development sectors, including retail and offices."

December 12, 2008 - New Urban News

Pro-WalMart Study Refuted

A new and widely publicized study claims that there is no evidence that Wal-Mart has had a negative impact on the small business sector. A close inspection of the study by the Institute for Local Self-Reliance argues that the report is flawed.

December 11, 2008 - The Hometown Advantage

From Edge-City to Real City

Its way of life no longer en vogue, the auto-centric suburb of Tysons Corner, VA plans to undergo a large-scale transformation into a walkable, "real" city over the course of the next 30 years.

December 11, 2008 - NPR

Can Dallas Densify?

The Dallas City Council ponders a form-based code, designed to encourage neighborhoods where driving isn't required to get around.

December 10, 2008 - 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.