Urban Development

Growth Threatens America's Coasts

In an eight-part series, Gannett compiles three months of analysis to expose the serious problems of unchecked growth along the country's shores, along with a host of counterproductive public policies.

February 2, 2006 - Gannett News Service

Remaking America's First Suburbs

In this op-ed, Bruce Katz and Robert Puentes argue that America's older, inner-ring, first suburbs -- like Nassau County -- must embrace a new vision for remaking themselves.

February 1, 2006 - The New York Times

'Green Harbor', Urban Ecotopia

The alter-ego of the Inner Harbor's 'hardscape', Baltimore's nearby Middle Branch harbor is set to become a model sustainable neighborhood, complete with hiking trails and alternative energy sources, if developers' visions go according to plan.

February 1, 2006 - Baltimore City Paper

Reinforcing Southern California's Polycentricity Through New Suburbanism

A re-awakening of interest in walkable urban environments in suburban locations? This trend mostly revolves around the pre-war downtowns of small Southern California cities that grew into suburban bedroom communities in the 1950s and 1960s.

January 31, 2006 - The Los Angeles Times

A Market Response To Eminent Domain

BB&T, the country's ninth-largest bank, announces that it will not make commercial loans to developers who plan private projects on land seized via eminent domain.

January 30, 2006 - Winston-Salem Journal

Linking Housing And Transportation To Define Housing Affordability

This brief describes a new information tool developed by the Urban Markets Initiative to quantify, for the first time, the impact of transportation costs on the affordability of housing choices.

January 30, 2006 - The Brookings Institution

Eminent Domain Is Unfair

Tom Thompson argues that eminent domain has been abused throughout U.S. history.

January 29, 2006 - The Seattle Times

Home Depot Meets Hudson Square

The mega-merchandiser of home furnishings is looking to cash in on Lower Manhattan's residential renaissance, with Trinity Church as facilitator.

January 28, 2006 - The Slatin Report

American Suburbia Sprawls Its Way To India

With rampant globalization and growth, Indian architects and developers are using as many established planning models as they can -- including 'New Jersey Suburban'.

January 28, 2006 - Hindustan Times

It's Sprawl For Nothing

In an excerpt from her new book, 'The Place You Love Is Gone: Progress Took It Away', author Melissa Holbrook Pierson offers her lament for a sprawling nation.

January 27, 2006 - Orion

The Next Great (Sub)Urban Park?

At 1,300 acres, the Orange County Great Park, to be built over the ruins of the El Toro Marine base, may bring greater identity to the sprawling region.

January 26, 2006 - The Los Angeles Times

State-of-the-art Urban Planning For New Orleans

Neal Peirce sees hope for New Orleans as citizens play a central role in planning the wounded city's recovery.

January 25, 2006 - The Washington Post Writers Group

NYC Convention Center's 'Marshall Plan'

After years of false starts, a plan is unveiled to expand New York's Jacob Javits Convention Center.

January 25, 2006 - The Slatin Report

NYC Loses Affordable SROs Due To Illegal Conversions

Illegal conversion of single room occupancy ('efficiency') apartments in NYC threaten one of the few remaining sources of private, affordable housing in the City. Housing advocates attempt to stem the tide, but it's rough going.

January 24, 2006 - The New York Times

Building Timeless Places

Hank Dittmar, Director of the Prince's Foundation for the Built Environment, a nonprofit organization founded by Sir Charles, The Prince of Wales, discusses the balance of tradition and innovation in urban design.

January 23, 2006 - David Gest

Boise Center No More

Boise, Idaho, is no longer the center of population in Treasure Valley, as density shifts west to Meridian.

January 21, 2006 - The Idaho Statesman

Banks As Developers

Federal regulators have cleared two national banks to develop office and hotel properties -- actions long barred by the Treasury Department. What does this imply for the development environment?

January 20, 2006 - National Real Estate Investor

Weakening Eminent Domain Could Undermine Redevelopment

Across the nation, developers and city officials warn that weakening eminent domain could undermine rehabilitation of cities.

January 20, 2006 - The New York Times

Boston Suburb To Embrace TOD

Two of Boston's leading suburban developers are partnering up to build a transit oriented development project in suburban Westwood.

January 19, 2006 - The Boston Globe

Is The First Wave of Gentrification Hitting The South Bronx?

As real estate prices continue to skyrocket, the South Bronx is experiencing a sudden influx of new residents.

January 18, 2006 - The New York Times

FREE Course: Walkable City 1: Why Walkability?

After describing his path towards focusing on walkability as the essence of good planning, Jeff Speck marches through his five principal reasons for making more walkable places.

Reinventing Malls: Planning Alchemy—Turning Gray Fields Into Gold

The course focuses on the opportunities and imperatives that shape reinvention of mall sites.

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.