Urban Development

Lawrence, Kansas Takes Top Walkability Honors

Lawrence, Kansas has been named the most walkable city in Kansas, and the 38th most walkable destination in America. However, city officials are not resting on their laurels.

March 19, 2008 - Lawrence Journal-World & News

New Funding Resuscitates L.A.'s Grand Avenue Project

The highly anticipated mixed-use Grand Avenue project in downtown L.A. has just secured $100 million in funding. This new funding is expected to kickstart the project's construction, which has been delayed for months.

March 18, 2008 - The Los Angeles Times

Planning System Revamp May Speed Development in Santa Cruz

Bureaucratic red tape has slowed the development process for years in Santa Cruz, California. Now proposed changes look to speed up the process, but critics say the changes could open the door to under-controlled development.

March 18, 2008 - Santa Cruz Sentinel

Thinking About Smart Growth in Montana

Gallatin County, Montana, has experienced 20 percent population growth over the last eight years, and officials are hoping that the adoption of smart growth principles will help guide the rapidly developing area towards a sustainable future.

March 18, 2008 - Bozeman Daily Chronicle

Creatives Kicked Out By Vancouver Condo Boom

Condos are booming in Vancouver, and as a result the city's young creatives are being squeezed out.

March 18, 2008 - The Globe & Mail

Suburban Detroit Builds Up, Not Out

The suburban Detroit town of Wixom is looking to lure in residents by creating dense downtown living.

March 18, 2008 - The Detroit Free Press

Big Dig's Aftershocks

A look at how the specter of Boston's Big Dig cast a dark shadow over proposed freeway replacement plans in Seattle and other cities.

March 17, 2008 - The Boston Globe

Global Impacts on Downtowns

This report from Progressive Urban Management Associates outlines the ten trends that will impact downtowns over the next two decades.

March 17, 2008 - Downtown Idea Exchange

Implications of Driving Less

A new report from the American Public Transportation Association hypothesizes that people who live in places shaped by transit tend to drive less thereby reducing their overall petroleum use and their carbon footprint.

March 16, 2008 - American Public Transportation Association (APTA)

Public Buildings with a Side of Art

Included in the budget of any new county building in Los Angeles County is a 1% line item for the creation of public art -- part of a public art program initiated in 2004. The first building to utilize this line item has just been completed.

March 13, 2008 - The Los Angeles Times

Young Professionals Drawn in by Yonkers Waterfront Redevelopment

Downtown waterfront redevelopment is attracting a new kind of resident to Yonkers, New York.

March 12, 2008 - The New York Times

A Lonely Fighter Defending Sprawl

Libertarian economist Randal O'Toole has become notorious for defending sprawl in recent years. This article from The Toronto Star wonders if he might have a valid point.

March 12, 2008 - The Toronto Star

Wilshire Grows and Traffic Follows

A swath of residential developments are ushering in a more dense and more lively atmosphere into L.A.'s Wilshire corridor. But many are concerned that the new residences will add too much traffic to an already congested area.

March 11, 2008 - The Los Angeles Times

How Will Changing Cities React?

Cities are undergoing major changes in terms of demographics and development patterns. How cities will react to these changes remains up in the air.

March 11, 2008 - The Guardian

Clamoring for Urbanity in Waco

Proposed housing developments in the urban core of Waco, Texas, have given many in the city high hopes for a denser, more vibrant central city.

March 11, 2008 - The Waco Tribune

Similar Sister Cities

A look at the similarities between Los Angeles and Mexico City.

March 11, 2008 - LA Weekly

Neighborhood's Unchecked Facelift Highlights Poor Planning

Poor planning is allowing uncontrolled and rapid gentrification to destroy Toronto's Liberty Village neighborhood, according to this article from The Toronto Star.

March 11, 2008 - The Toronto Star

High Rising Along Toronto's Lakefront

Officials in Toronto have announced plans to densify the city's waterfront with a redevelopment effort that stands to create high rises along the lakefront.

March 10, 2008 - Toronto Sun

Urbanismo Nuevo

New Urbanism sprouts up in Baja California, Mexico.

March 10, 2008 - The New York Times

Immigrants Feeling Push of Gentrification

Gentrification of one of Vancouver's low-cost neighborhoods in pushing immigrant populations out of the city.

March 7, 2008 - The Vancouver Sun

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.