Urban Development

Homeless

Protests Push O.C. to Kill Its First Real Plan to Help the Homeless

The affluent county finally authorized a concrete plan to address a housing crisis, but forceful opposition from residents put them 'back to Square One.'

March 29, 2018 - Los Angeles Times

New York City

Governor Cuomo Wants Broad Powers to Redevelop Around Penn Station

The idea is still extremely speculative, but reports are that Governor Cuomo is pushing for legislation that would enable broad powers for the state to redevelop around Penn Station in New York City.

March 29, 2018 - Politico

Times Square New York

A Strong Voice of Support for Value Capture to Fund Subway Repair

In an opinion for City & State, Kathryn Wylde, president of the nonprofit Partnership for New York City, makes the case that the Metropolitan Transportation Authority should be allowed to tax properties where value is enhanced by subway proximity.

March 28, 2018 - City & State

Cupertino

'By-Right' Housing Law a Shot in the Arm for California Housing Developments

The effect of SB 35 on development projects in California might be more significant than YIMBYs have imagined, after a second project forges ahead confident in the support of state law for a large development.

March 28, 2018 - The Mercury News

Single-Family Neighborhood

Upzoning of Seattle's Single-Family Zoning Called a 'Disappointing Half-Measure'

A critical analysis of a proposal that would incrementally increase density in parts of Seattle.

March 28, 2018 - Sightline Institute

Detroit, Michigan

Ford Motor Company Considering Big Move to Historic Detroit

If Ford Motor Co. goes through with a plan to move into the old Michigan Central Depot, it would mark a new phase of the rebirth of Detroit's urban core.

March 28, 2018 - The Detroit News

Highway Living

Outcomes of the Federal Highway Program: Inequality and Polarization

It's a vicious cycle: highways enable white flight, establishing a power base for a political party opposed to urban transportation systems.

March 28, 2018 - Stanford News

Capitol

Omnibus Spending Bill Expands Low Income Housing Tax Credit

Missed among the coverage of the federal Omnibus Bill on Friday of last week: a long-awaited expansion of the Low Income Tax Credit.

March 27, 2018 - Globe St.

Ohio

How One Lake Erie Town Got Free Waterfront Property for Public Use

Clear communication and a fair trade let Euclid, Ohio begin to rethink its lakefront—and its future.

March 26, 2018 - NextCity

Minneapolis

Minneapolis Draft Comprehensive Plan Revealed

The city of Minneapolis is deploying many of the most contemporary planning tools as it works toward approval of the Minneapolis 2040 plan.

March 26, 2018 - MinnPost

Moshe Safdie

All the Environmental Benefits of Modular Buildings

There is plenty of evidence for modular construction as a key component of a green economy.

March 26, 2018 - Kayla Matthews

Chicago Snow and Winter

Surface Parking Lots Making Way for Higher Uses

Are the urban revival and the future of mobility already rendering parking lots obsolete? Chicago provides a case study of a new generation of skyscrapers rising were cars once parked.

March 26, 2018 - Chicago Tribune

The Bronx

Rezoning Approved in the Bronx

A plan to rezone a stretch of Jerome Avenue in the Bronx is the fourth rezoning completed during the tenure of Mayor Bill de Blasio, and the first to visit the Bronx.

March 26, 2018 - Commercial Observer

Corner Store

Corner Store as Gathering Place

Chicago-based Foxtrot looks to expand their new convenience store concept with a nationwide roll-out.

March 23, 2018 - Modern Cities

Skinny Skyscraper

Watching Skinny Skyscrapers Rise Above New York

The real estate market in Manhattan is pushing towers to new heights and new dimensions.

March 23, 2018 - The B1M

Grocery Store

Competition, Debt Faulted in Bankruptcies of Two Major Food Retailers

Two major grocery store companies announced bankruptcy this week, sparking fears that the "retail apocalypse" has expanded to food retailers.

March 22, 2018 - The Washington Post

California

Silicon Valley Isn't Really Over

Though a handful of recent articles predicted "peak Silicon Valley," new numbers show the region is still producing lots of good jobs and attracting plenty of venture capital.

March 22, 2018 - Bloomberg View

Bikeshare

Lessons from a Six-Hour Hearing on Planning and Zoning

A recent debate in Washington, D.C. echoed common concerns about the planning process in cities around the country.

March 22, 2018 - Greater Greater Washington

Uber CEO

Travis Kalanick Getting Into the Redevelopment Business

The former CEO of Uber, a highly controversial figure in urbanism circles, is still trying to influence the future of the built environment in a new post as CEO of a real estate investment startup.

March 21, 2018 - Recode

Washington, D.C. Rowhouses

How a Change in the Definition of 'Cellars' Could Downzone Much of Washington, D.C.

The D.C. Zoning Commission will revisit a proposed text amendment to the District Zoning Code in April.

March 21, 2018 - Greater Greater Washington

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.