Urban Development

Tax Cuts and Jobs Act of 2017

How Smaller Cities Are Trying to Attract Opportunity Zone Investors

Cities and states are altering local policies to maximize benefits for private investors in Opportunity Zones.

May 1, 2019 - Governing

Broadway Bike Lane

If You Build It, They Will Ride (400% More)

A more than 400 percent increase in bike ridership following the opening of a protected bike lane on Second Avenue proves that Seattleites are more inclined to ride with safe facilities.

May 1, 2019 - Streetsblog USA

Electric Car Charging Stencil

New Developments Must Be EV Ready in Seattle

It's not the same as requiring that all new development have charging facilities and parking spots for electric vehicles, but it's close.

May 1, 2019 - The Urbanist

Denver Light Rail

What Denver's Big 2040 Comprehensive Plan Means for 2019

Important distinctions about the difference between a comprehensive plan and zoning code changes, as well as details of the form-based influences of the new Denveright 2040 plan are reported here.

April 30, 2019 - The Denver Post

Boston T

Ending Rent Control Changed Everything in Massachusetts. What Happens If It Becomes Legal Again?

Two proposed bills would roll back a statewide prohibition on rent control in Massachusetts. The city of Cambridge, how of the anti-rent control movement in the state, is now a poster child for the housing crisis.

April 30, 2019 - The Boston Globe

California State Capital

California's Most Controversial Housing Bill Advances with Amendments

Senate Bill 50, by Scott Wiener, advanced on two fronts last week: On Wednesday, it passed easily out of its first committee with new "Minneapolis-style" amendments. On Sunday, it received a New York Times editorial endorsement.

April 30, 2019 - CALmatters

Noise

Noise Pollution in Densifying Cities

Noise pollution tends to impact low-income communities more than others. For those who can afford the luxury, there are ways to shut out the noise.

April 29, 2019 - The Guardian

Brooklyn, New York City

Zoning Changes Stay Controversial in Brooklyn Neighborhood

Despite a rare level of community participation in a neighborhood planning project in Bushwick, a recently proposed draft neighborhood plan was met with criticism in an initial public hearing earlier this week.

April 29, 2019 - City Limits

New York City

Congestion Pricing to Balance Out Mobility Systems

The goal of transportation networks should be to provide integrated and efficient services, which requires looking beyond particular modes.

April 29, 2019 - Governing

Chicago skyline

Opportunity Zone Investors Look to Fuel Tech in Chicago

One venture plans to fund a 100-acre campus for tech, bioscience, and medical research in Chicago's Bronzeville neighborhood.

April 28, 2019 - Chicago Tribune

Housing Development

From McMansion to McMain Street

In attempt to design buildings that convey the complexity and scale of the traditional Main Street, we frequently end up with buildings that are a cartoon version of the real thing. Perhaps we are trying too hard?

April 28, 2019 - CNU Public Square

Chicago Skyline

The New Skyscraper on the Block in Chicago

The Second City has a new third-tallest skyscraper.

April 27, 2019 - Chicago Tribune

San Francisco Bay Bridge

Tech Money Dominates S.F. Housing Market

The tech industry has created massive wealth, and the impacts on the real estate market are most dramatic in San Francisco.

April 27, 2019 - The Atlantic

Suburban Office Building

Watch: What it Takes to Retrofit Suburbia

June Williamson explains the necessary components of the next generation of the suburban retrofitting project, and why these actions are so necessary.

April 27, 2019 - Redesigning Cities via YouTube

Cleveland, Ohio

Idea for Saving an Aging Shopping Center: Remove Cut-Through Car Traffic

Planners like the idea of blocking car traffic on Shaker Boulevard through Shaker Square in Cleveland, The public is less sure.

April 26, 2019 - The Plain Dealer

Marijuana

Denver Won't Ease Restrictions for Social Marijuana Uses

The ongoing evolution of land use regulation related to legal marijuana hit a roadblock in Denver this month, although the city has already allowed nearly unprecedented freedom (in the U.S., at least) to buy, sell, and consume marijuana in the city.

April 26, 2019 - The Denver Post

Vancouver Waterfront

For Vancouver’s Carbon Footprint Reduction Plan, 2030 is the New 2040

Four months after formally recognizing climate change as an emergency, the Vancouver City Council considers six large-scale changes to dramatically reduce city-wide carbon emissions.

April 26, 2019 - Vancouver Sun

Detroit, Michigan

Protecting Detroit's Historic Food District

Detroit's historic food district is under very contemporary development pressure, so the nonprofit tasked with managing the market has decided to define principles that prioritize affordability and inclusivity in the area.

April 25, 2019 - Crain's Detroit Business

San Diego Beach Housing

California Bill Takes Aim at Vacation Rentals

Proposed legislation in California would limit short-term beach rentals in San Diego.

April 25, 2019 - Voice of San Diego

D.C. Metro Bus

An Energy Efficient Makeover for D.C.-Area Public Transit

D.C. Metro has a plan to reduce carbon emissions and energy consumption by building to LEED green building standards and buying electric buses.

April 25, 2019 - Smart Cities Dive

FREE Course: Walkable City 1: Why Walkability?

After describing his path towards focusing on walkability as the essence of good planning, Jeff Speck marches through his five principal reasons for making more walkable places.

Reinventing Malls: Planning Alchemy—Turning Gray Fields Into Gold

The course focuses on the opportunities and imperatives that shape reinvention of mall sites.

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.