Urban Development

Washington State Capital

Zoning Changes for the 'Missing Middle' Take a Step Forward in Olympia

Olympia, Washington joins the ranks of cities making new incentives for the creation of missing middle housing.

July 15, 2018 - The Olympian

High Rise Construction

Transit Oriented Development Arrives Before the DART Cotton Belt Line

Development around the University of Texas at Dallas is already complete in anticipation of a commuter rail line scheduled for completion in 2022.

July 15, 2018 - The Dallas Morning News

High School Football

New Report Contradicts the U.N.: More Like 84 Percent of the World Lives in Urban Areas

"Everything we've heard about global urbanization turns out to be wrong."

July 14, 2018 - Place

U.S. Army to Build New 'Futures Command' in Austin

The new Futures Command will employ 500 employees and represents a big win for the city of Austin in a national economic development process landscape increasingly marked by competitive bid processes.

July 13, 2018 - Associated Press via Houston Chronicle

LA Ciclavia

Gehl Institute Releases New 'Guide to Inclusion and Health in Public Space'

The Gehl Institute's new Inclusive Healthy Places Framework is a free tool for evaluating and creating inclusive public places that support health equity.

July 13, 2018 - Gehl Institute

Pharmacy

Critic Blasts the Design and Planning Effects of CVS

CVS is about as American as apple pie, but at what cost to American communities?

July 13, 2018 - The Dallas Morning News

Parking Lot

Parking Inventories for Five Cities

A new report providing credible estimates of five cities of differing size and geographic location reveals one truth about the United States: parking is the dominant land use in cities.

July 13, 2018 - Streetsblog USA

The Shard

London's Skyline Getting a Tall Makeover

The Diamond will be the third tallest building in London when it's complete. The two taller buildings aren't built yet either.

July 12, 2018 - The Guardian

Keep Portland Weird

Portland's 'Community-Led Urbanism' Tackles Displacement and Sustainability

A grassroots plan seeks to cultivate a sustainable, affordable center of Black culture in the neighborhood of Albina.

July 12, 2018 - Curbed

Adams Morgan District

Is Development Causing Gentrification in D.C.'s Adams Morgan Neighborhood?

The picturesque neighborhood of Adams Morgan is becoming whiter and more affluent, but it also hasn't developed much new housing.

July 12, 2018 - Greater Greater Washington

LaGuardia Airport

La Guardia AirTrain Plan Moves Forward, Circuitous Route and All

Not everyone thinks the governor’s expensive plan to improve access to the beleaguered airport will actually improve access.

July 11, 2018 - The New York Times

Electric Car

With $768 Million in June, California Continues EV Infrastructure Investment

CPUC Commissioner Carla Peterman explains the state's investment plan for building out electric vehicle charging stations in public spaces and homes.

July 11, 2018 - The Planning Report

Twin Cities Assembly Plant

Controversial Green Neighborhood to Rise on Former Auto Plant Site

Plans for a sizable eco-friendly development on the site of St. Paul's Twin Cities Assembly Plant have drawn support from many, including the city's young mayor. But density opponents remain unconvinced.

July 11, 2018 - CityLab

Montreal, Quebec

A 'Rental Renaissance' in Montreal

A city known for relatively low rents is gaining an influx of market rate and luxury rental units.

July 11, 2018 - Montreal Gazette

New York City

New York's 'Zoning Handbook' Teaches the Intricacies of Planning

Zoning Handbooks are designed to help New Yorkers understand the city's zoning code.

July 11, 2018 - Curbed NY

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.

July 10, 2018 - CALmatters

Jefferson park Blue Line Stop

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.

July 10, 2018 - Chicago Tribune

Wealth and poverty

'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.

July 10, 2018 - CityLab

New York MTA

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.

July 9, 2018 - Smart Cities Dive

Washington, D.C. Apartment

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.

July 9, 2018 - The Planning Report

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.