Urban Development

Orchard Station RTD Light Rail

A Planning Controversy of the Transit Oriented Variety in Suburban Denver

A controversy has erupted over a proposed vision for transit oriented mixed in a Denver suburb.

February 2, 2017 - The Denver Post

280 Freeway San Francisco

10 Freeways That Have Got to Go

The Congress for New Urbanism has released the latest Freeways Without Futures list, updating a list we last saw in 2014.

February 2, 2017 - Streetsblog USA

Cul-de-Sac

On the Municipal Balance Sheet, Central Districts Look Good

Charles Marohn analyzes Lafayette, Louisiana for how well (or poorly) its districts measure up in terms of infrastructure investment versus tax revenues. The results are telling.

February 1, 2017 - Strong Towns

Burnsville, Minnesota

New Urbanism Emerged in Response to Sprawl, but Does it Really Offer an Alternative?

Daniel Trudeau guest blogs about a recent article in the Journal of Planning Education and Research.

February 1, 2017 - JPER

Place Dauphine in Paris

The Trifecta: Urbanism, Architecture, and Nature

Susan Henderson shares some thoughts about the alignment of issues contributing to well-being in cities.

February 1, 2017 - PlaceShakers

Boyle Heights

A Community Planning Process—Even a Good One—Is Not Enough

Simply inviting residents to participate in design charrettes or a community planning process does not mitigate the significant loss they feel as they witness the physical destruction of their homes and lived history.

January 31, 2017 - Shelterforce/Rooflines

Jefferson City, Missouri

Missouri Tax Reform Package Targets Housing and Preservation Tax Credits

Republicans in Missouri want to reduce taxes for corporations, so they are reducing tax credits for affordable housing, infrastructure, and historic preservation.

January 30, 2017 - St. Louis Public Radio

Little Tokyo

Preserving the Character of Little Tokyo

In the wake of rapid gentrification, an organization in Los Angeles is leveraging the arts to celebrate a community's rich heritage and keep social equity a priority.

January 30, 2017 - Shelterforce/Rooflines

Elderly

All Communities Must Address the 'Housing Crisis for Seniors'

A call to action to change the paradigm of planning and development to better serve an aging nation.

January 30, 2017 - The New York Times

An Obstacle to Density Desperately Needs Reform

With the loss of redevelopment in California, money for brownfield remediation has dried up. The California Legislature needs to focus on regulatory reform to support brownfield redevelopment, according to environmental attorney Richard Opper.

January 30, 2017 - UrbDeZine

Los Angeles Residential

Audit: Los Angeles' Density Bonus Program Falls Short of Expectations

Josie Huang reports on a new audit from the Los Angeles City Controller finding that the city's density bonus program is falling short of its goals for delivering affordable housing.

January 27, 2017 - KPCC

Image of transit oriented development around Union Station in Denver.

In Denver: Rents Drop as Record Numbers of Units Enter the Market

The number of apartments in Denver has skyrocketed. Meanwhile, the cost of rent is plummeting. Expect to hear this example cited by YIMBYs many times in the coming months.

January 27, 2017 - The Denver Post

Boeing Urban Form

Friday Eye Candy: Comparing a Square Mile of the World's Famous Cities

Street networks and city blocks, reduced to their fundamental attributes, reveal the vast differences between cities.

January 27, 2017 - Geoff Boeing

Downtown Los Angeles

Duany on the Imperatives of Urban Design Codes

Andres Duany takes to the CNU's Public Square to argue for the critical need for codes in a built environment awash in mediocrity.

January 26, 2017 - Public Square

Mega Project in Suburban Atlanta Gets Final Public Financing Piece: Value Capture

School advocates don't like the idea of a tax allocation district for the redevelopment of the former GM plant in Doraville.

January 25, 2017 - Atlanta Journal-Constitution

Los Angeles Downtown Historic Core

A Survey of State Historic Tax Credits

Historic tax credits are common at the state level—though they are contested and championed on a recurring basis all over the country.

January 25, 2017 - National Trust For Historic Preservation

Council President Clarke Op-Ed: A Call to Action for the Philadelphia Land Bank

Philadelphia City Council President Darrell Clarke has called for more institutional support for the goals of the Philadelphia Land Bank.

January 25, 2017 - The Philadelphia Inquirer

Street Grid

Defining the Perfect Block Length for Walkability

Researchers at Harvard University have looked at multiple street grids around the country to identify what block size is the perfect length for walkability.

January 25, 2017 - The Harvard Gazette

Street Closure

Hey, Buddy: Adult Friendships and the Future of Communities

The ease with which we make friends as adults matters. Not just on a personal level but to the communities that ensure our survival. Scott Doyon takes a crack at explaining.

January 25, 2017 - PlaceShakers

Detroit Bioretention Garden

Detroit Completes Citywide Property Tax Reappraisal

It's counterintuitive, but in Detroit, the hope is that by lowering property taxes, the city might actually collect more in property taxes.

January 25, 2017 - Detroit Free Press

News from HUD User

HUD's Office of Policy Development and Research

Call for Speakers

Mpact Transit + Community

New Updates on PD&R Edge

HUD's Office of Policy Development and Research

Top Books

An annual review of books related to planning.

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The best of the Internet—since 2002.

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Planning apps for a brave new world.

Top Schools

The definitive ranking of graduate planning programs.

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.