Urban Development

Single-Family Neighborhood

Debating the End of Single-Family Zoning in Toronto

A retired city planner takes a position against "lot splitting," or allowing more than one unit on properties zones for single-family residential as it's known in Toronto.

August 7, 2019 - The Star

Universal Orlando Resort

Plans Revealed for 'Epic Universe': the Country's First New Theme Park Since 2001

The Universal Epic Universe, proposed for Orlando, Florida, has aspirations as a transit-oriented theme park.

August 7, 2019 - The Next Miami

New York City Zoning Map

Zoning Codes, Explained

Looking for a way to describe zoning codes, and their role in city planning, to a newcomer to the field? Maybe start here.

August 7, 2019 - CityLab

Democratic Debate

Dems Debated in the Perfect Place to Talk About Cities, But Didn't Talk About Cities

An opportunity missed in Detroit.

August 6, 2019 - Detroit Free Press

Newport Beach High-Rise

Lawsuits: Not Just for Development Opponents Anymore

Details of the "Sue the Suburbs" movement wielding a new legal tool to counteract the traditionally obstructionist methods of land use regulation in California.

August 6, 2019 - The Mercury News

Toronto GO Transit

In Canada, Suburban Transit-Oriented Development on the Rise

Transit expansions are providing incentives to companies to locate outside of city centers, upending traditional housing, work, and commute patterns.

August 6, 2019 - The Globe and Mail

SoHo Greenwich New York

Conflicting Interests and a Broken Planning System

A scathing critique of city planning, and the special interests that hold the system in thrall, in New York City.

August 6, 2019 - Gotham Gazette

Suburban California

A Call for Action as Construction Slows in California

An editorial by the Los Angeles Times calls for the state to remove barriers to housing shortage after a report finds declining numbers of residential permits around the state.

August 6, 2019 - Los Angeles Times

Tenant Protections

Rent Control Challenged as an Illegal Taking of Property

A potential precedent setting case against rent control is underway in New York. A Next City article takes an in-depth look at the legal argument made by landlords against the state of New York's new rent control law.

August 5, 2019 - Next City

San Diego Construction

Inclusionary Zoning Changes Near Final Approval in San Diego

The San Diego City Council is poised to give final approval to significant changes to the city's inclusionary zoning requirements,

August 5, 2019 - Times of San Diego

Chicago Suburb

A Frank Discussion About Struggling Suburbs

Many suburban areas outside thriving urban cores are struggling to deliver vital services and maintain property values as job and population growth stagnates. It's time to confront the realities of those communities, according to this article.

August 5, 2019 - Governing

Cedar Rapids Floods

Coastal States Are Building in Flood Zones Faster Than Anywhere Else

Here's a trillion dollar real estate market on the coasts of the United States—and it's building itself into rising levels of risk.

August 5, 2019 - The New York Times

Austin Park

Trends in Community Park Landscape Design and Planning

Urban park planning and design needs to deliver a lot of community benefit from a small amount of space. The lessons that emerge

August 5, 2019 - Claire Hempel

San Diego Rail

A New Model for Growth in San Diego

When first announced in 2014, the Morena Corridor Specific Plan provoked protests. The plan has changed, but it now finally has initial approval from the San Diego City Council.

August 4, 2019 - Voice of San Diego

Drive-Thru

One Vote Left for Proposed Citywide Ban of New Drive-Throughs in Minneapolis

The city of Minneapolis could achieve another first of land use regulation next week if the City Council votes to prohibit the construction of all drive-through facilities in the entire city.

August 4, 2019 - Star Tribune

Dog Park

Two for One: A Dog Park and a Beer Bar

Stepping up the urban amenity game in Minneapolis.

August 3, 2019 - Star Tribune

Chicago, Illinois

Lake Michigan Wreaking Havoc on Chicago This Summer

Lake Michigan has reached historic levels this summer. Properties on the Far North Side are most at risk. Swimmers have already been called back from the shore.

August 3, 2019 - Chicago Tribune

Iowa

New Zoning Code Evolves as Affordability Concerns Linger

The city of Des Moines is working on a new zoning code intended to ease the process of developing homes. The proposed regulations have triggered warnings from affordable housing advocates as well as local and nation home builders.

August 2, 2019 - Des Moines Register

Boston COnstruction

2.5 New Jobs for Every New Home in Boston

The Boston region has achieved a jobs-housing imbalance only bested by the San Francisco Bay Area since the Great Recession.

August 1, 2019 - The Boston Globe

Phoenix, Arizona

$1 Billion Project Would Add Six High-Rise Building to the Phoenix Skyline

Zoning changes for a potentially transformative, transit-oriented, mixed-use project called "The Central Park" were approved by the Phoenix City Council in July.

August 1, 2019 - Arizona Republic

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.