Urban Development

San Francisco, California

Open for a Month, San Francisco's Transit Terminal Shut Down Due to Cracked Beams

The $2.2 billion Salesforce Transit Center, which opened to much celebration on Aug. 11, closed down abruptly Sept. 25 after workers found a cracked steel beam. A second cracked beam was later found. Work began Sunday to shore up the structure.

October 1, 2018 - San Francisco Chronicle

BART Station

BART Development Law Signed

Under a law signed today by Governor Jerry Brown, Bay Area Rapid Transit (BART) gains the power to rezone its properties. It's a decisive victory for state preemption over local control in the face of California's housing crisis.

October 1, 2018 - San Francisco Chronicle

Toronto Construction

Waiving Development Fees to Spur Apartment Construction

One way to increase housing supply is to make it cheaper to building multi-family housing, like Toronto recently decided to do.

October 1, 2018 - CTV News Toronto

Stone Arch Bridge

Triplexes Replace Fourplexes in Revised Minneapolis 2040 Comprehensive Plan

Minneapolis planners have released a revise draft of the Minneapolis 2040 comprehensive plan, cutting back on some of the plan's most controversial aspects, but still maintaining an ambitiously urban approach.

October 1, 2018 - MinnPost

San Jose, California

Downtown San Jose Could Get Taller

In the Bay Area's biggest city, the debate over density pits two economic drivers against each other.

October 1, 2018 - Mercury News

San Francisco city

San Francisco’s Housing Woes: How the Past Informs the Present

A zoning history dating back to the 19th century still has significant impacts on the city’s housing in the present day.

October 1, 2018 - Collectors Weekly

Maryvale Arizona Desert West Community Center Skateboard Park

Creative Placemaking's Role in Enhancing Community Safety

Efforts across the country show that these projects have the added benefit of improving community safety.

September 30, 2018 - Urban Institute

Court Restores 'Doors and Windows' Code Enforcement Ordinance in Philadelphia

One of Philadelphia's most potent code enforcement tools is back in effect after the state Supreme Court overturned a previous ruling by a lower court.

September 29, 2018 - PlanPhilly

Major League Soccer Comes Calling in St. Louis, Again

Despite the disappointment of losing a stadium deal to the financial concerns of St. Louis voters, Major League Soccer is willing to give the city another look.

September 28, 2018 - St. Louis Post-Dispatch

Downtown Cleveland

Report: Not Enough Housing Supply to Meet Demand in Downtown Cleveland

The findings of a new report might run counter to common perceptions about Cleveland's shrinking population. Downtown Cleveland could, and should, provide more housing opportunities, according to the report.

September 28, 2018 - The Plain Dealer

Hubway Bikeshare

More Affordable Housing Needed to Keep Pace with Boston's Growth

Boston's housing goals were set in 2014, but had to be revised as the city's population growth exceeds previous estimates.

September 28, 2018 - WBUR

Silicon Valley

San Jose to Vote on $450 Million Affordable Housing Bond

A $450 million bond referendum will come before San Jose voters this November. Mayor Sam Liccardo promises it is "a necessary but not sufficient tool" to provide stable housing at an epicenter of the housing crisis.

September 27, 2018 - Next City

Amazon Fulfillment Center

Grappling With the Potential Impact of Amazon's HQ2

What does it mean for housing planning if your county gets Amazon's second headquarters? Virginia's Loudoun County contemplates that possibility with a mix of confidence and trepidation.

September 27, 2018 - Loudoun Now

Nationwide Children's Hospital

Hospitals Reaching Out to Their Neighbors Through Development

A hospital in Columbus, Ohio, seeks to improve the lives of area residents by investing in the surrounding neighborhood.

September 27, 2018 - CityLab

Stadium construction at Hollywood Park

The Latest on Los Angeles' Hollywood Park Development

New photos and renderings show the Inglewood Stadium construction and future plans for the 300-acre multi-use project.

September 26, 2018 - Urbanize LA

Detroit, Michigan

Little Caesars Arena as Catalytic Development

In exchange for generous public subsidies, Illitch Holdings, owner and developer of the Little Caesars Arena in Detroit, promised large-scale economic development.

September 26, 2018 - Detroit Free Press

Brooklyn Construction

False Construction Permits Go 'Unchecked' in New York

New York habitually lets property owners begin construction without disclosing that their buildings are rent-stabilized or occupied by tenants.

September 26, 2018 - Politico

San Antonio, Texas

San Antonio's Pear District Rezoned for More Infill

One of San Antonio's most appealing and popular neighborhoods has been rezoned to allow for more urban infill developments.

September 25, 2018 - San Antonio Express-News

American Planning Asociation

APA Announces 2018 Great Places in America

It's one of the biggest days of the entire year for the planning and planners who make great places happen.

September 25, 2018 - American Planning Association

U.S. Senator Elizabeth Warren (D - Massachusetts)

Breaking: Elizabeth Warren Releases Far-Reaching Housing Bill

The American Housing and Economic Mobility Act probably has no chance of passing into law, but it's still the most substantial gesture toward housing policy by a member of Congress since the subprime crisis of 2008.

September 25, 2018 - The Atlantic

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.