Urban Development

Suburb Eyes Urban Density

Officials in the Phoenix suburb of Chandler are rallying behind proposals to increase density in the city, arguing that the urban shift will make the city more vibrant.

March 6, 2008 - The Arizona Republic

Small Town Approaching its Final Days

A proposed development in rural Southern California could erase one of the area's few remaining small towns, replacing it with a massive subdivision that would extend the sprawl of Los Angeles even farther north.

March 5, 2008 - The Los Angeles Times

Canada's Ready for Urban Shift

The age of the suburbs may be coming to an end in America, and conditions in Canada are even more ripe for this transition to urban density.

March 4, 2008 - The Toronto Star

Koolhaas' Dubai Master Plan is Bold and Reserved

In his 1.5 billion square-foot master plan for a waterfront city in Dubai, architect Rem Koolhaas has proposed a dense and elaborate city, but one that doesn't try to rely too much on flashy high-end architecture.

March 3, 2008 - The New York Times

Zoning Changes Bring Good and Bad in Downtown Seattle

Zoning changes in downtown Seattle have created a more dense area, as was intended. But the zoning changes are also bringing some unintended consequences.

March 2, 2008 - The Stranger

Redirecting Sprawl

Reining sprawl may require "redirecting" it.

March 1, 2008 - The Hartford Courant

End of Downtown Construction Boom May Be Near

Two notable large-scale projects in downtown L.A. have not broken ground on time, which many see as a sign of the end of downtown's real estate boom.

March 1, 2008 - The Architect's Newspaper

Beneath the Surface of L.A.'s Densification

This article from the LA Weekly looks at efforts by the city planning department and key politicians to increase the density of the city.

February 29, 2008 - LA Weekly

Deteriorating Historic Homes May Fall For Market

Historic homes in the Brooklyn Navy Yard have blighted the neighborhood for years. Many residents are backing a plan to replace the deteriorating homes with a market, but preservationists are hesitant.

February 29, 2008 - The New York Times

Upturn for Downcity

The Downcity neighborhood of Providence is undergoing an urban revitalization, one hinged on preservation and renovation of historic buildings.

February 28, 2008 - The New York Times

The Town That Keeps You in Shape

Prince Charles has initiated an effort to build the world's first "trim town" -- a city form that aims to improve the health of its residents by creating walkable environments.

February 28, 2008 - Scotland on Sunday

Colleges Tightening Bonds With Cities

Universities are embracing their interrelationships with their cities, sparking a flurry of university-led urban development projects.

February 28, 2008 - The Wall Street Journal

Fighting Gentrification With Historic Designation

Business leaders in New York have proposed declaring Harlem's 125th Street as historic zone in an effort to stop gentrification in the area.

February 28, 2008 - The New York Times

Idaho Cracks Down on Urban Renewal District Abuse

Lawmakers in Idaho have proposed a bill that seeks to limit urban renewal district abuses.

February 28, 2008 - Idaho Business Review

Miami Reaches For The Sky

Due to the relaxation of FAA height limits, downtown Miami may see its ever-changing skyline rise even higher.

February 28, 2008 - The Miami Herald

Remaking the Waterfront, Remaking the City

This episode of Smart City looks at riverfront redevelopment as a tool for recreating cities.

February 27, 2008 - Smart City

Municipal Bankruptcy Woes

The cities of Vallejo, California, and McCall, Idaho, are considering filing for bankruptcy.

February 26, 2008 - Governing

Development Speed Dating

In an effort to bridge the gap between the ideologies of developers and architects, a "speed-dating" session was set up to get the practitioners of these two fields to interact.

February 26, 2008 - The Times

'Skyscraper Policy' Called For in Philadelphia

Big developments are on the slate in Philadelphia, and some argue that the city needs to develop a skyscraper policy to control the city's changing face.

February 26, 2008 - The Philadelphia Inquirer

Bearing the Costs of Disaster Area Development

Should everyone pay for a few people to live in fire- and disaster-prone areas?

February 26, 2008 - The Los Angeles Times

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.

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A short list of voices on social, video, and podcasting platforms.