Urban Development

TOD and Zero-Emission Trains: Can You Guess Where the Controversy Is?
The nation's first fuel cell electric train will make its debut in Southern California in about four years, but it's also associated with a controversial ballot measure on the station sites that voters of Redlands will decide on Super Tuesday.

Developer Sues L.A. After Area Planning Commissioners Reject Multi-Family Project
A development controversy also now an expanding legal controversy, after a local planning commission rejected a controversial development proposal allowed by zoning.

Uber App Feature Integrates Transit and Ridesharing
Uber’s "Make My Train" app feature lets riders better plan journeys across modes.

Dollar Stores and Grocery Stores
Opponents of dollar stores argue that dollar stores are the mortal enemy of grocery stores. Is this really true?

Zuckerberg and Company Set Goals on Housing Policy and Affordable Housing
With over $500 million in resources, the Partnership for the Bay’s Future is funding policy and affordable housing projects throughout the region.

Charting the Climate Change Crisis
Analysis of global greenhouse gas emissions data points to the sectors, activities, and countries that are the biggest contributors.

The Leaning Tower of Dallas Is Too Good for This World
A failed demolition has created a new, albeit temporary, landmark for Dallas.

Waterfront Toronto Greenlights Most of Sidewalk Labs' Quayside Master Plan
An evaluation committee made up of Waterfront Toronto staff has given a green light for the Sidewalk Labs master plan for Toronto to proceed to the next stages of planning.

Airbnb, Denver Struggle to Find Common Ground
Where other cities have found common ground with Airbnb and the short-term rental industry, Denver's negotiations toward regulations have continued since 2018 with little to show for the effort.

Refugees Learn to Survive as Pedestrians on Houston's Dangerous Streets
For one refugee family, living in Houston has meant facing a host of new challenges as they traverse the city’s roadways without a car.

Neighborhood Preference Splits on Partisan Lines
Preferences in the characteristics of communities—from the shape of the built environment to demographics—reveal stark partisan preferences. Planners are faced with the task of navigating ideological divides.

Zoning Code Update Makes the Nightly News in Cleveland
The potential of form-based codes to re-legalize the historic fabric of Cleveland is explained for the nightly news audience.

To Curb the Honking, Mumbai’s 'Punishing Signal'
Incessant honking just adds to the chaos on city streets, so Mumbai police put up a clever device to remind drivers that making noise will not ease traffic woes.

The Smart Cities Revolution Happened, but Cities Were Left Out of Loop
Cities have transformed in profound ways, but more recent changes were the last part of a series of technology waves.

The Complex Story Behind the Failure of California's Upzoning Bill
SB 50 was often viewed as an attack on wealthy, single-family homeowners, but housing justice advocates also had issues with the legislation.

Prop 13 on the Ballot in California—Just Not the Prop 13 Everyone's Worried About
A case of mistaken identity has embroiled California in election controversy, as claims of bias and misinformation swirl around Prop 13 (2020), Prop 13 (1978), and an anticipated "split roll" initiative.

L.A. Officials to Look at Possibility of Car-Free Downtown Broadway
Los Angeles may follow in San Francisco’s footsteps by banning cars along a stretch of a downtown thoroughfare.

N.Y.C. Parking Reform Takes Step Forward as Debate Rages On
In Manhattan, a contentious debate has been brewing over on-street parking and how that space could be used for something other than storing cars.

Colorado Town Halts Development Ahead of Code Changes
Littleton, Colorado, home to a population growing beyond 40,000, wants a break from multi-family developments.

Virginia Proposal for No-Cost and Reduced-Fare Transit
The program would allow transit agencies throughout the state to eliminate or reduce fares.
Pagination
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.
Smith Gee Studio
City of Charlotte
City of Camden Redevelopment Agency
City of Astoria
Transportation Research & Education Center (TREC) at Portland State University
US High Speed Rail Association
City of Camden Redevelopment Agency
Municipality of Princeton (NJ)