Urban Development

NYC Targets Buildings for Massive Emissions Reduction Effort
Last week, the New York City Council approved some of the most substantial climate change legislation to date by a city in the United States—call it the local example of the Green New Deal.

Tax Abatements for Residential Projects Under the Microscope
The Cleveland City Council is considering legislation that would launch a process of re-examining the city's tax abatement program.

A Boom in Nashville, but Fast Growth Could Bring Problems
Nashville has a great deal going for it, but rising housing costs and gentrification could take it down a darker path.

The History of Alternative Suburbs
A new book about unconventional suburbs challenges the perception that these were socially and racially homogenous places.

Who's to Blame for Gentrification? Planners, Apparently
Capital City casts planners as lackeys, serving the forces of capitalism.

Apartment Units Fill Fastest in Seattle
Demand for housing in and around Seattle is way up—so much so that the region led the entire country in the number of apartments it has filled so far this year.

Middle-Income Density Bonus Working Toward Approval in San Diego
The San Diego City Council's Land Use and Housing Commission approved a density bonus program to provide incentives for developers to build middle- and low-income housing.

Housing Starts Hit Two-Year Low
Housing starts and permits are slowing nationwide. The current pace of construction would have been considered a trough in pre-recession economic cycles.
New Transit Center Coming to Cincinnati's Northside Neighborhood
The Cincinnati City Council this week approved zoning change to allow for the construction of a transit center at the second busiest bus transit hub in the city.
A Sci-Fi Novel About an Urban Planners and a War Over Gentrification
The Municipalists, a new novel by Seth Fried, will definitely appeal to fiction-reading urban planners.

Eminent Domain Concerns Raised Over Missouri's Hyperloop Plans
Critics are pointing to a discrepancy between the plan and the reality in terms of how much private property must be acquired through eminent domain to make the state of Missouri's Hyperloop dreams come true.

New Spending, Planning Approved to Address Affordable Housing Crisis in Columbus
Columbus approved an emergency allotment of capital improvement bond funding for housing, and the launch of an affordable housing strategy process.

New Tool Puts Miami Development Opportunities on the Map
There's plenty of vacant or underutilized land to be found in Miami-Dade County, if you know where and how to look.

Lincoln Yards Mega-Development Clears Final Legislative Hurdle
A Chicago City Council vote to approve tax increment financing for the massive Lincoln Yards redevelopment proposal scored a surprising reversal and a big win for outgoing Mayor Rahm Emanuel, with an assist from Mayor-elect Lori Lightfoot.

An Alphabetical Compendium of the Gentrification Blame Game
When it comes to identifying and repairing the underlying causes of gentrification, there's plenty of blame to go around.

In L.A., With a Reputation Sprawl, Homes Near Transit Selling at a Premium
Homebuyers are looking for locations with quality transit access in Los Angeles, and they're willing to pay more for the option having transit nearby.

A Presidential Campaign Built on Rust Belt Revitalization
South Bend Mayor Pete Buttigieg is hoping to ride a track record of urban revitalization success to the Oval Office.

The Economic Defense of Sprawl (And What's Wrong With It)
Defenders of suburban expansion argue that government should build more roads in order to open up more land for housing. What's wrong with that argument?

S.F. Law Would Give Nonprofits Dibs on Apartment Buildings for Sale
The legislation would make nonprofit organizations more competitive in the real estate market by letting them get ahead of speculators.

Fostering Global Tourism Without Destroying Cities
More people than ever are traveling, but cities around the world are struggling to keep up. A new declaration aims to balance the benefits and challenges of tourism.
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.
Borough of Carlisle
Smith Gee Studio
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)