Urban Development

Seattle to Host 2024 Urban Parks Conference
In June 2024, City Parks Alliance, in partnership with Seattle Parks and Recreation, will hold the Greater & Greener conference, which will include a mix of indoor sessions and outdoor experiences focusing on urban parks.

Portland, Maine Embraces Zoning Reform for Multifamily Housing
The Portland City Council amended the land use code to allow up to four units on all residential lots on the mainland, and up to three on island lots. It also eliminated parking requirements for these uses.

Upzoning Affordability Impacts: The Latest Research
There are new controversies concerning how upzoning affects housing supply and affordability, and new research to help planners understand these issues.

New Orleans Residents Fight Freeways With Science
A local coalition is collecting data that proves the harmful impacts of the Claiborne Expressway on the surrounding community.

Commentary: A Vision for Responsible Neighborhood Revitalization
The first project under Chicago’s Woodlawn Housing Preservation Ordinance is taking shape, aiming to bring new housing and retail to the neighborhood while avoiding displacement.

Northern Virginia Projects Counting on Transit
A proposed stadium and other major development projects near transit stations could be hampered by the regional transit agency’s financial woes.

Mixed-Use TOD Planned in Jacksonville
The project will include affordable housing and retail space near the Rosa Parks transit station.

AI-Powered Permitting is Speeding up Solar Deployments in California
AI-powered permitting is accelerating solar deployments in cities across California, automating compliance checks and approvals for efficient and rapid solar project installations.

Planetizen’s Top Posts of 2023
The most-read articles on Planetizen in 2023.

Texas Judge Reverses Three Austin Zoning Reforms
The ruling impacts ordinances passed in 2022 aimed at increasing housing density and supporting mixed-use development.

How Smart Cities Influence Real Estate Investment
By integrating technology and infrastructure, smart cities are attracting investors with their potential for improved quality of life, efficient resource management, and innovative urban development projects.

Article 34 in Action: Bay Area Suburb Uses 1950 Initiative to Block Homeless Housing
Next year, California voters will determine whether to repeal a 1950 initiative that requires local voter buy-in for government-supported low income housing, but that hasn't deterred Millbrae from using it to sue San Mateo County.

Austin Approves Upzoning
Combined with the recent decision to eliminate parking minimums, the move to end single-family zoning could help make housing more affordable.

How Effective are Philadelphia’s Keystone Opportunity Zones?
The impacts of a tax break designed to create jobs, stimulate development, and reduce blight are proving hard to track.

Zoning Driving Housing Costs, Water Consumption in Arizona
Regulations that prohibit multifamily housing and smaller lot sizes contribute to a growing gulf between housing supply and demand.

North Carolina’s Research Triangle Park Could Upzone for Mixed-Use, Housing
A new proposal reimagines the primarily industrial and office-oriented area to a ‘15-minute city.’

Commentary: How AI Can Build Safer Cities
From predictive policing to smart surveillance systems, AI-powered technologies are driving the creation of safer cities by enabling proactive crime prevention and efficient emergency response.

Atlanta’s Five Points Station Overhaul Enters Public Review Phase
The project is part of MARTA’s effort to support more transit-oriented development in downtown Atlanta.

Newton Passes Upzoning to Comply With MBTA Communities Act
The Massachusetts city will permit multifamily housing in some of its ‘village centers’ to comply with state law.

How Salt Lake City Maintained a Vibrant Downtown
Unlike other major cities, the Utah capital’s downtown has seen a steady stream of visitors even as demand for office space diminishes.
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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.
City of Mt Shasta
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)
Regional Transportation Commission of Southern Nevada