Urban Development

A 'Safe' Parking Lot for the Homeless Proposed in San Francisco
If approved, a new facility in San Francisco will allow homeless people living in RVs and vans a safe place to park. Access to support services will also be available at the site.

Study: Not All Gentrification Effects Are Equal
A comprehensive national study finds that for many original residents of gentrifying neighborhoods, the effects of gentrification can have positive effects.

Infographic: Space Allocation by Population in 15 U.S. Cities
A new infographic breaks down how much space is devoted to buildings, green space, and roads in 15 major U.S. cities.

Lawsuit Challenges New York's Brand New Rent Regulations
The landlord lobby isn't accepting defeat.

Experiencing the City in the Supermarket
Grocery stores are more than just places to buy food. They’re the universal gateway to city life and culture.

Airbnb Limitations Fall Short in California Legislature
A state bill that would have limited the number of short-term rentals in the coastal areas of San Diego County has been delayed until next year's legislative session.

Uber Says Denver Transit Riders Are Buying Tickets Through Its App
Denver travelers can now access transit schedules and purchase tickets through the Uber app. Uber says increased ticket sales show that integrating rideshare and transit makes sense.

Master-Planned Cities in the Spotlight
The Guardian last week published a series of articles and interactive features on the subject of the master-planned communities of the world.

Op-Ed: Lakewood's Growth Cap Is 'Climate Arson'
In a scathing response to arguments in favor of a "slow growth" ordinance in Lakewood, Colorado, Mike Eliason rebukes the idea that capping growth is a green policy.

Tricky Planning Politics for New York's Sunnyside Yard Mega-Project
An 18-month planning process is unfolding in a part of New York City that has not taken kindly to large, corporate visions of the future.

Plano, Texas Could Scrap its Growth Plan After Years of Litigation
A lawsuit has been successful in derailing the Plano Tomorrow plan, approved in 2015. The city could default to its 1986 plan.

With 2020 Democratic National Congress on the Way, Downtown Milwaukee Revitalizes
Downtown Milwaukee is getting makeover, from high-profile new buildings on the skyline to ambitious adaptive reuse projects and an emerging entertainment district.

What Made It Possible for Oregon to End Single-Family Zoning?
Factors beyond political chance played into Oregon's recent decision to legalize missing middle housing. One key point: the state was already halfway there.

Private Branding of the Public City
Oracle Park, the Blue Shield of California Theater, Ford GoBike—branding abounds in San Francisco.

In California, Struggles Over Insurance Regulation in the Era of Climate Change
Setting insurance rates by looking to the past to predict the future doesn’t make sense with increasing environmental uncertainties, argues the California insurance industry.

Culling Transit Stops to Improve System Performance
Bus stop balancing can help lines run much more smoothly. A new publication guides agencies through the process.

On Rural America's Selective Housing Shortage
Counter to the usual narrative of population decline, some rural areas stand in serious need of housing.

Reducing Transportation Emissions in the United Kingdom to Net Zero by 2050
Late last month, the UK became the first country to commit to a legally-binding target of achieving net-zero emissions by 2050. A new academic research group recommends reduced auto ownership, regardless of how they are powered, to meet the target.

Beachfront Residences Can't Extend Yards Onto Public Beaches, CA Coastal Commission Decides
"It's like squatting by the rich," said one commissioner.

Report: Lack of Apartments Contributes to the Housing Affordability Crisis
It's going to take "radical policies" and "political courage" to overcome the housing shortage in California, according to a recent working paper, but they will be necessary to overcome the negative consequences of the planning and zoning status quo.
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
City of Camden Redevelopment Agency
Municipality of Princeton (NJ)