Urban Development

Water Dripping

Water Use and Land Use Are Deeply Intertwined

It's time to recognize the interconnectedness of land use planning, water policy, and sustainability initiatives.

December 24, 2020 - Water Foundation

Prime Minsiter Trudeau

The G20 and Cities

The Penn Institute for Urban Research's latest issue of Urban Link features Eugénie Birch writing on the important roles of cities as strong partners with nations in supporting the G20’s goals.

December 24, 2020 - Penn IUR Urban Link

Single-Family Housing Construction

New Single-Family Homes Shrank in 2019

The Census Bureau's "Characteristics of New Housing" report shows declining size among single-family homes built and sold new in 2019.

December 23, 2020 - LBM Journal

Old Town Alexandra

Civil Rights and Historic Preservation: A Case Study from Northern Virginia

The civil rights debates of the 1960s and 1970s influence city planning in Alexandria, Virginia to this day.

December 23, 2020 - ALX Now

Washington

Comprehensive Update to Washington State's Growth Management Act Expected in 2021

Effective planning processes offer immense financial savings, and there's never been a more pressing need for both. The state of Washington is setting out to prove the planning dividend.

December 23, 2020 - The Urbanist

Cincinnati Suspension Bridge

Open Container Laws Ditched in Cincinnati's The Banks Entertainment District

The trend toward the liberalization of outdoor drinking laws continues in Cincinnati. The turned is prevalent enough that this isn't even the first example of a "designated outdoor refreshment area" on the Ohio River.

December 23, 2020 - WCPO

Rooftop Bar

Special Permits Could Be Required to Develop a Hotel in New York City

It could become a lot harder to develop a hotel in New York City, even in areas where hotel developments are zoned as-of-right and even after the pandemic has ravaged the industry.

December 23, 2020 - The Real Deal

Paris Skyline

What Is a Central Business District (CBD)?

A central business district (CBD) is a geographic area sometimes referred to as downtown, but with key distinctions critical to an understanding of city and regional planning.

December 22, 2020 - James Brasuell

Washington D.C. Street

COVID Stimulus Details for Planners

A few last minute changes were included in the version of the COVID-19 Emergency Relief Act of 2020, approved by Congress last night.

December 22, 2020 - APA Advocates via Twitter

Getting Raised in Gentilly, Loisiana

Adapting Building Codes to Natural Disasters Saves Billions

New research shows that modern building codes have prevented around $27 billion in damage from natural disasters between 2000 and 2016, yet many cities still operate under decades-old regulations.

December 22, 2020 - Route Fifty

Cement gravestones reading Father and Mother

The Race to Preserve America's Black Cemeteries

America's historic Black cemeteries, which have long fallen victim to displacement, relocation, and outright destruction, could have a new ally in the fight for preservation and recognition.

December 22, 2020 - Time Magazine

Detroit, Michigan

A Farewell to One-Size-Fits-All Urbanism

Sustaining culture and character is more than a black or white proposition. It requires a careful blend that depends on local circumstances, meticulous research, and self-knowledge.

December 22, 2020 - Charles R. Wolfe

Utah

Study Touts the Housing Affordability Benefits of Density for the State of Utah

The density debate can't be avoided in fast-growing Utah, according to the researchers and political leaders who support the findings of a new report from the University of Utah's Kem C. Garner Policy Institute.

December 21, 2020 - The Salt Lake Tribune

Wooden houses covered with snow

A New Standard for Equity Investments

Fifth Third Bank is investing $2.8 billion in its Accelerating Racial Equality, Equity and Inclusion initiative.

December 20, 2020 - Business Wire

Rittenhouse Square

Residential Development Tax to Fund Affordable Housing Programs

Philadelphia's city council passed the city's first-ever residential development impact tax, a plan that could boost the city budget by $9 million a year.

December 18, 2020 - WHYY

Manhattan Municipal Building

A Comprehensive Overhaul of Planning Considered in New York City

The New York City Council this week released a report that suggest the city do away with its "piecemeal" approach to planning in favor of a new comprehensive planning framework.

December 18, 2020 - New York City Council

IndyGo Enhanced Bus Stop

Indianapolis to Upgrade Bus Stops to 'Super Stops'

Downtown Indianapolis bus stops are getting a makeover with enhancements that prioritize buses and improve rider safety.

December 17, 2020 - The Indianapolis Star

Suburban Seattle

Citywide Zoning Reform Approved in Everett

Few cities are accomplishing such a swift and sweeping overhaul of its land use regulations as Everett, Washington, which just wrapped up its second major planning initiative in as many years on its way to launching a third.

December 17, 2020 - The Urbanist

A private club located in Florida

Locals Say Trump Can't Live at Mar-a-Lago

And they have the receipts.

December 17, 2020 - The Washington Post

Texas State Capital

Austin Hopes to Buck Tradition with Anti-Gentrification Measures in its New Transit Plan

Project Connect promises to prioritize equity and inclusion with $300 million dedicated to anti-displacement efforts.

December 17, 2020 - City Monitor

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.