Urban Development

What to Expect From the Chicago Transit Authority in its 8th Decade
Streetsblog Chicago took a look at the big projects reshaping the Chicago Transit Authority, on the occasion of the transit system's 70th anniversary.
Coming Off Record Heights, Multi-Family Construction Expected to Slow
An era of multi-family construction is expected to slow as the housing market recalibrate, according to analysis in Bloomberg.

Chicagoland's Regional Transportation Authority Helping Deliver Local TOD Results
The Regional Transportation Authority has been supporting transit oriented development planning processes in suburbs like Bartlett.

Private Equity, Debt, and the Real Causes of the 'Retail Apocalypse'
David Duyen identifies an under-reported culprit in the so-called "retail apocalypse," and challenges policy makers to respond.

Toward a System of Adaptive Reuse Feasibility
A relative lack of conversions from office to residential—the adaptive reuse model driving the housing market in many urban areas—makes the Washington, D.C. region a perfect place to study the factors that make or break an adaptive reuse proposal.

The Lessons Jane Jacobs and Christopher Alexander Still Have to Teach
Robert Steuteville reviews Cities Alive, by Michael Mehaffy, describing the newly released book as "an important analysis for urbanism."

St. Louis Trolley Plans Hit a Snag
The St. Louis trolley revival is running out of cash.

Recognizing the Achievements of Black Urbanists
Blogger and planners Pete Saunders is acknowledging black urbanists from all over the spectrum of civic involvement.

Affordable Housing Near Transit: Seattle's REDI Makes Its First Loan
For a city in the middle of a rent crisis, the Tacoma Housing Authority project can't come too soon.

Hollywood Developer Self-Imposes Rent Control on New Project
It's an unprecedented move, but developer Champion Real Estate hopes to be "part of the solution" for pricey Los Angeles.

Churches and the Creation Of Landscape
A visit to Tbilisi, Georgia, reveals that churches are crucial elements in the creation of landscape. Their civic functions are at least as important as their theological functions.

New York Pilot Program to Test Expanded Tenant Protections
The political support for an expanded set of tenant protections emerged in response to the program of rezonings underway as part of the de Blasio Administration's housing plan.

Op-Ed: Washington's State Environmental Policy Act 'Off the Rails' in Cities
Drawing on a slew of examples, Dan Bertolet argues that Washington's State Environmental Policy Act (SEPA) has been co-opted in ways that run against its original purpose: protecting the environment.

Spokane Considers Tax Incentive to Redevelop Downtown Parking Lots
It's an idea that has already had some success in Philadelphia: give developers a tax abatement on projects that achieve some desired end, in this case fewer surface parking lots.

Better Land Use Planning: One of the Best Ways to Improve Transportation
Smart growth advocates have been making this point for years, but a new report from the Washington, D.C. regional planning organization provides more evidence for the strategic location of population and job growth.

National Building Museum Exhibition Explores the Changing American Household
The National Building Museum draws attention to the drastic change that has come to the American household. No longer does the nuclear family dominate the housing market, and a new era of housing development must be launched.
'High Line'-Type Bridge Proposed Between Crystal City, Reagan National Airport
The High Line in New York City has inspired ambitious projects all over the country. A pedestrian bridge proposed to connect the Arlington neighborhood of Crystal City to the Reagan National Airport provides the latest example.

Los Angeles Needs More Transit-Oriented Development
Development plans along the Expo Line need more density, affordable housing to achieve city goals

Video: The Housing Market as a Game of 'Cruel Musical Chairs'
The Sightline Institute has created an explainer video to make a supply-side argument in favor of new housing developments—even new market rate housing developments.

Friday Funny: Philadelphia Is Very, Very Confident About its Amazon Bid
The lengths to which cities have gone, or will go, in their bids to attract the second headquarters for Amazon has produced a cottage industry of media coverage. Satire from The Onion follows that trail to its most explosive of possible ends.
Pagination
Urban Design for Planners 1: Software Tools
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Planning for Universal Design
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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)