Urban Development

Society Hill Historic Buildings

How One Wealthy, Historic Neighborhood Maintains an Exclusionary Status Quo

Philadelphia Inquirer architecture critic Inga Saffron has had enough with the exclusionary planning tactics of the neighborhood of Society Hill to start calling it the "Republic of Society Hill."

November 27, 2019 - The Philadelphia Inquirer

Denver, Colorado

The Top Urban Planning Books of 2019

The decade wraps up with another engaging crop of highly readable and recommendable books on the subject of urban planning. There's a lot to learn, on many related subjects, among this year's top planning books.

November 26, 2019 - Josh Stephens

Moving Truck

U.S. Migration Reaches 72-Year Low

Staying in place is more and more the norm, even among historically mobile young people.

November 26, 2019 - Brookings

Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania

Lessons in 'Transformative Placemaking'

Brookings has collected a year of data on an experiment it calls "transformative placemaking," with case studies from up and down the East Coast.

November 26, 2019 - Brookings

California

Multi-Family Leads Recent Housing Uptick in California

With stronger state mandates kicking in, California housing permits rose sharply in September. But as one construction industry commentator noted, an uptick isn't a trend.

November 26, 2019 - The Mercury News

Riverside, California

Evaluating the Results of New Protections for Affordable Housing Development

California's Senate Bill 35 is touted by affordable housing advocates and other pro-development forces as an example of what good developments can happen when local obstructions are moved out of the way by the state.

November 26, 2019 - The Mercury News

Major Milestone for Chicago-Area Land Bank

The Cook County Land Bank Authority recently participated in its 500th rehab project. Homeowners and entrepreneurs have benefitted along the way.

November 26, 2019 - Chicago Tribune

Accessory Dwelling Unit

Seattle Companies Want to Drive Down Prohibitive ADU Costs

Legal barriers to accessory dwelling units may be disappearing in some places, but costs can still be prohibitive. Several companies are stepping forward with more affordable options.

November 25, 2019 - The Urbanist

British Columbia

Vancouver Making Room for More Apartments

As a response to rising rental prices and low vacancy rates, Vancouver planners have created a package of zoning and process changes to provide incentives for new multi-family developments.

November 25, 2019 - The Vancouver Sun

Detroit Riverfront

Six Big Projects to Watch in Detroit

A new chapter of Detroit's development history is ready to begin, as six iconic projects head toward the finish line.

November 25, 2019 - Detroit Free Press

Model Neighborhood

Urban, Suburban, or Rural?

The Pew Research Center digs into a question of definitions, fraught with exceptions and subjectivity.

November 25, 2019 - Decoded - Pew Research Center

South Los Angeles Market-Rate Housing Development

Controversial Housing Development Nixed in South L.A.

The local planning commission for South Los Angeles rejected a controversial multi-family housing development proposed for a location adjacent to a future light rail station.

November 24, 2019 - Los Angeles Times

Walmart Museum

Plans for Walmart's New Corporate Headquarters Return to Company's Roots

Walmart hasn't always synonymous with sprawl, and maybe it won't always be. Its new corporate headquarters has been designed as a walkable urban place, and a magnet for talent.

November 24, 2019 - Curbed

Massachusetts State Capitol

No 'Housing Choice' Bill in Massachusetts This Year

The key item on the housing agenda of Massachusetts Governor Charlie Baker will have to wait until next year.

November 24, 2019 - The Boston Globe

Yonge Street Toronto

A Pedestrian-Forward Vision for Toronto Roadway

Toronto’s iconic Yonge Street is heavily used by pedestrians, and, according to this article, it's time for a revamp that acknowledges all of the street's users.

November 24, 2019 - The Star

Los Angeles Skyline

Blade Runner's Dystopian World and the L.A. of Today

The original "Blade Runner" takes place in the Los Angeles of November 2019. How does the film’s vision of the city compare with the present-day reality?

November 23, 2019 - LAist

Dollar Store

In Tulsa, Pushing Back on the Dollar Store Incursion

Restrictions in North Tulsa are part of a backlash against the dollar stores flooding communities that are food deserts in need of real grocery stores.

November 23, 2019 - The New York Times

Wise County, Texas

$3.5 Billion Development With Room for 10,000 Homes Planned Near Forth Worth

When complete, the Rolling V Ranch will be one of the largest residential developments in the state of Texas.

November 23, 2019 - The Dallas Morning News

Parking

Saturday Satire: The Bad Intentions of a Trader Joe's Parking Lot

Anywhere a Trader Joe's parking lot can be found, there's also an overfull parking lot capable of crushing souls.

November 23, 2019 - McSweeney's

Smart City

Pulling Back the Curtain on the Smart City

Technology is infiltrating every aspect of our lives, but, according to this article, we shouldn't underestimate the nefarious role it plays in urban spaces.

November 22, 2019 - Real Life

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.