Urban Development

Shelter in Place

Shelter in Place: Working in a Time of Isolation

Need some work-at-home tips from a veteran? Hazel Borys has eight to consider.

March 25, 2020 - PlaceShakers

Multi-Family Housing

Building Better Multi-Family Housing for Less

New research examines ways multifamily housing costs can be reduced through design and construction decisions.

March 24, 2020 - Joint Center for Housing Studies of Harvard University

Los Angeles, California

How Downtown L.A.'s First 'Re:Code' Community Plan Embraces Density and Affordability

Vince Bertoni addresses his city’s efforts to incentivize affordable housing and noted the responsibility shared at the state, regional, and local level for policy & regulatory change to incent provision of affordable housing.

March 24, 2020 - The Planning Report

Single Family Residential Construction

Analyzing the U.S. Housing Market in the Early Days of COVID-19

The lessons of the 2008 housing market crash don't necessarily apply to the current situation.

March 24, 2020 - Curbed

New York Subway

New York MTA Seeks Federal Funding Relief as Ridership Plummets

The Metropolitan Transportation Authority has seen significant ridership drops due to the coronavirus. The agency is asking Congress for $4 billion to help it through the crisis.

March 23, 2020 - The New York Times

Food Carts

The Historical Effect of Pandemics on the Economy and the Housing Market

Research into previous pandemics, like SARS in 2003, the Spanish Flu in 1918, and the early months of COVID-19 in China, offers insight into what to expect for the economy and the housing market during and after the current pandemic.

March 23, 2020 - Zillow

Accessory Dwelling Unit

6 Zoning Keys for Effective Missing Middle Housing

The inventor of the term missing middle housing has advice on writing zoning codes that effectively deliver on the potential of the tool.

March 23, 2020 - CNU Public Square

Empty Street

The Regional Economic Impacts of the Coronavirus

The effects of a nationwide economic recession will likely hit hardest those regions with vulnerable sectors.

March 23, 2020 - The Avenue (Brookings)

Los Angeles, California

Debating the Future of Cities, and Urban Density, After the Pandemic

Numerous writers and experts are already examining the question about what happens to ideas about urbanism in a future forever altered by recent events.

March 23, 2020 - James Brasuell

Elderly Walking

Changing Perceptions of Aging in Planning

In planning, stereotypes of older adults still dominate, and it’s time for that message to change.

March 22, 2020 - Insights (Toole Design)

First-Time Buyers

More Questions Than Answers in Real Estate

The effects of the coronavirus pandemic on the U.S. real estate market are only beginning to show, but renters, homeowners, landlords, lenders, and more need to prepare for the worst.

March 20, 2020 - Connecticut Law Tribune

Construction Site

The Architecture Billings Index Was Strong on the Eve of the Pandemic

The Architecture Billings Index in February 2020 could lend hope in the current economic climate, or it could set a benchmark for a future recovery.

March 20, 2020 - Archinect

Accessory Dwelling Unit

Mayor Lightfoot Expected to Push for Legal Coach Houses in Chicago

Mayor Lori Lightfoot is expected to introduce legislation that would relax zoning restrictions on coach houses, known widely as accessory dwelling units, in the city of Chicago.

March 19, 2020 - Chicago Sun-Times

Atlanta #Snowpocalypse

Traffic Congestion Disappears from Atlanta

A region once brought to a standstill by two inches of snow is now almost completely free of traffic congestion.

March 19, 2020 - Atlanta Journal-Constitution

Ben Carson

Breaking News: HUD to Suspend Foreclosures and Evictions

The federal government has announced a critical effort to stabilize the economy as the country addresses the coronavirus pandemic.

March 18, 2020 - CBS News

Mega-Developments

Details of the 12,000-Home Sunnyside Yard Project

A proposed development project in Queens would be the largest housing project built in New York City since the 1970s.

March 18, 2020 - CityLab

Autonomous Vehicles

What the Future Looked Like Before the Coronavirus

Common Edge surveyed mayors and urban designers for ideas about what the next decade holds in store for cities. There were plenty of challenges in facing the world before the pandemic.

March 18, 2020 - Common Edge

Ontario, Canada

Advocates Warn of Unintended Consequences From Proposed 'Renovictions' Law in Ontario

The province of Ontario is considering a new law to strengthen tenant protections, but advocates say the law will have the exact opposite of the intended effect.

March 17, 2020 - The Star

Lafayette BART

Controversial 315-Unit Housing Plan Again Moving Forward in Lafayette

Planetizen has been tracking the development proposal for the Terraces of Lafayette in California since 2015. The saga isn't over yet.

March 17, 2020 - The Mercury News

New York Construction

Planning Stops in New York City; Same for Construction in Boston

Planning and building the future will have to wait.

March 17, 2020 - NYC Planning

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.