Urban Development

Downtown Boston

A Bold Vision for a Car-Free Boston

As other cities take daring steps to reclaim their streets, a car ban in downtown Boston doesn’t seem so implausible.

November 22, 2019 - Curbed Boston

Downtown Boston Waterfront

600-Foot Tower Proposed for the Boston Waterfront

A proposed high-rise would transform the downtown Boston waterfront, and the city's skyline.

November 22, 2019 - The Boston Globe

Friday Eye Candy: New York City, Minus the Cars and People

Johnny Simon shares the work of artist Marc Yankus, who created a series of images that remove people, cars, and animals from images of New York City.

November 22, 2019 - Quartzy

Los Angeles 110 Freeway

L.A. Crafting Legislation for 'Anti-Displacement Zones'

The idea that new development results in rising costs for renters in the surrounding neighborhood drives a new effort in Los Angeles.

November 21, 2019 - Curbed Los Angeles

Related California

Seasoned Developer Opines on California’s Housing Crisis

Bill Witte, CEO and chairman of Related California, discusses how state and local governments ought to respond to the state’s challenges with housing affordability, growth in homelessness, and 'missing middle' housing supply.

November 21, 2019 - The Planning Report

Arizona Sprawl

No Cars Allowed: Arizona Multi-Family Development Tests the Market for Car-Free Living

Culdesac Tempe will offer will have apartments for 1,000 people and zero space for cars.

November 21, 2019 - Medium

King Neptune Statue

Saying 'No' to Development in Climate Risk Areas

Only a few places have managed to stem the tide of development in areas at risk to the effects (like wildfire and flooding) of climate change. Virginia Beach is an early test bed for what it takes to tell developers "no."

November 21, 2019 - The New York Times

Marrakech, Morocco

It's Organic! The End of Conjecture and the Science Ahead

The history of inquiry into the "organic" nature of cities has revealed findings that inform the practice of urban planning.

November 21, 2019 - Fanis Grammenos

Detroit Vacant

Proposed $250 Million Blight Removal Bond Fails in Detroit

The Detroit City Council dealt a blow to Mayor Mike Duggan by rejecting the mayor's signature blight reduction proposal.

November 20, 2019 - Detroit Free Press

Silo-Breaking Sustainability or Real-Life Lorax: L.A.’s First City Forest Officer

The city of L.A.’s first city forest officer, Rachel Malarich, opines on her new role in facilitating cooperation between the city’s departments to achieve a more equitable urban canopy.

November 20, 2019 - VerdeXchange News

Street Vendor

Street Vending Makes Public Spaces Better. Stop Criminalizing It.

While recent crackdowns on street vending suggest it is a problem to be fixed, the reality is that street vendors energize urban spaces and make them more accessible for everyone.

November 20, 2019 - Curbed

Long Island, New York

Reporters Go Undercover to Identify Housing Discrimination

A three-year investigation of the real estate industry on Long Island reveals rampant discriminatory practices and an industry complicit in the segregation of the communities that comprise the region.

November 20, 2019 - Newsday

Waze

Are Traffic Apps More a Problem Than a Solution?

The companies behind navigation apps say they want to decrease congestion in cities. But a tool that is essentially designed to help individuals isn’t going to provide a collective benefit.

November 19, 2019 - CityLab

Rep. Earl Blumanauer

Oregon Congressman Takes on Federal Housing Policy

U.S. Rep. Earl Blumenauer (D-Oregon) offers perspective on the U.S. housing crisis, the scale and complexity of which he argues demands affirmative federal action.

November 19, 2019 - The Planning Report

Seattle Tiny Homes Village

Tiny Home Village to Close Amid Controversy in Seattle

The situation at the tiny home village in the Seattle neighborhood of Northlake has been deteriorating since April.

November 19, 2019 - Seattle Times

Edgemere Commons

2,000 Units of Privately Funded Affordable Housing Approved for Queens

A large affordable housing development will be built on the former site of a hospital in the Rockaway Peninsula neighborhood of Queens.

November 19, 2019 - Crain's New York Business

Los Angeles Department of Transportation

L.A.'s Strategy for 'Universal Basic Mobility'

Los Angeles Department of Transportation General Manager Seleta Reynolds emphasizes the importance of riders' perspective on access when redesigning the transit system.

November 18, 2019 - The Planning Report

Agricultural Land

Controversial Redevelopment Approved in Coastal Agricultural Area

A city on the northern edge of San Diego County has approved a controversial redevelopment. Supporters tout that agricultural components of the project. Opponents of the project say developers shouldn't be breaking ground in an agricultural area.

November 18, 2019 - ABC 10 News San Diego

Pasadena, California

Rose Bowl Property Ready for a Makeover

A famous local architect has been tapped to rethink the Rose Bowl's expansive property in Pasadena.

November 18, 2019 - Urbanize LA

West Palm Beach, Florida

Preserving Affordable Housing Along the Brightline in South Florida

The South Florida Housing Link Collaborative is working to develop and preserve affordable housing along South Florida's intercity rail line, in the process of transitioning to the Virgin Trains USA brand, as prices along the route climb.

November 18, 2019 - Miami Herald

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.