Urban Development

New York's 'Zoning Handbook' Teaches the Intricacies of Planning
Zoning Handbooks are designed to help New Yorkers understand the city's zoning code.
CEQA and the California Dream: No Marriage, Except for Attorneys
A Habitat for Humanity Project in Silicon Valley is stymied by an effective, CEQA-wielding attorney who doesn't want his home office views obstructed and more traffic in his neighborhood.

Study: 'Aldermanic Privilege' Leads to Segregation
Chicago's own city government, in the form of aldermanic prerogatives and privileges, contributes to racial and economic segregation, according to a new study.

'Climate Gentrification' Is Exacerbating Economic Inequality in Miami
A new study shows that over the last several decades the price of real estate has been heavily influenced by the actual and anticipated effects of climate change.

Study Quantifies Job Access in U.S. Cities
An annual survey by the Accessibility Observatory at the University of Minnesota measures job availability, job location, population density, and the availability of transit.

What Do Affordable Housing Developers Think of California's Potential Rent Control Initiative?
A California November 2018 ballot initiative seeking to repeal the Costa-Hawkins Rental Housing Act could have unintended consequences, according to Related California's Bill Witte.

Has Washington, D.C. Finally Figured Out the Waterfront?
Looking back to evaluate the potential of the present.

SF Chronicle Editorial Board: Build More Homes to Help the Homeless
And stop changing the subject, adds the Editorial Board of the San Francisco Chronicle.

Seattle Rolls Out New Community Engagement Framework
Under the new guidelines, developers will need to implement specific community engagement strategies, at times based on a neighborhood's demographics.

Tech Companies Pulled $9.3 Billion in State and Local Subsidies in Five Years
Good Jobs First put a price tag on the lucrative deals local and state officials throw at flashy tech companies. It's a trend that is only growing with deals like Foxconn in Wisconsin and the expected Amazon HQ2 announcement.

Live Long and Prosper: Compact Development Increases Life Expectancy, Economic Development
The U.S. has lower average life expectancy than most peer countries. New research indicates that this results in part from sprawl. Life expectancy, economic mobility, mobility options, personal health and safety all improve in less sprawling areas.
No Parking Minimums and Also No Housing Development
Los Angeles is hoping that changes to the Cornfield Arroyo Seco Specific Plan will finally yield new residential developments.

Making the Case for Small, Shared, Electric Transport Modes
Tony Dutzik, senior policy analyst with the Frontier Group, presents three environmental reasons to support shared bikes and scooters, and why cities that have adopted climate plans should accommodate these small, clean, shared vehicles.

Chicago Launches Design Competition to Redesign O'Hare International Airport
This isn’t a speculative, unfunded design competition. The city has already promised to borrow $4 billion toward the $8.5 billion O'Hare 21 expansion plan.

Resource-Efficient Urban Planning Helps Achieve Economic, Social, and Environmental Goals
A new report shows that low-carbon development policies can help to achieve numerous planning goals including job creation, improved safety and public health, social inclusion, and improved accessibility.

Editorial Board: The Suburbs Need to Make Room for New Residents
Utah has generally made room for single-family homes in the past, but the Salt Lake Tribune thinks its time for new plans as the state faces demographic changes and worsening affordability.

Learning From Europe: Part 2 (Or, You Can't Have It All)
It is indeed possible to have a city full of low-rise buildings that is still compact enough for excellent transit service—but only if most side streets are used for mid-rise buildings instead of houses.

3 Keys to Ending Parking Minimums
What does it take to make the bold step toward ending parking minimums in an entire city?

Eyes from the Street – A Finer Filter
Evidence described here suggests that urban design for "eyes on the street" is not enough to lower crime.
A New Online Tool for Charting a Path to Sustainability
A new interactive research tool will make it easier for communities to build sustainability into their urban development plans.
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.
Municipality of Princeton
Roanoke Valley-Alleghany Regional Commission
City of Mt Shasta
City of Camden Redevelopment Agency
City of Astoria
Transportation Research & Education Center (TREC) at Portland State University
US High Speed Rail Association
City of Camden Redevelopment Agency
Municipality of Princeton (NJ)