Urban Development

Commerce Street

Sidewalks Required in More of Nashville, Thanks to New Law

Supporters of Nashville's new sidewalk requirements for residential construction say sidewalks are a critical component of transportation infrastructure.

April 21, 2017 - The Tennessean

Toronto

Ontario 'Fair Housing Plan' Proposed to Curb Skyrocketing Housing Costs

Housing prices have increased 33 percent compared to the previous year in Toronto, and now the provincial government is snapping into action.

April 20, 2017 - The Toronto Star

Trump Tower

Report: Trump Tower Among Many NYC Buildings Not Maintaining Privately Owned Public Spaces

It's no secret that building owners often fail to maintain privately owned public spaces with any priority on the public part of that equation. A new report reveals just how widespread the problem is in New York.

April 20, 2017 - The New York Times

Los Angeles

Which Is the Most Sprawling City in the World?

Most people would probably guess that the world's most sprawling city is located in the United States, and according to most measures, they'd be right.

April 20, 2017 - The Guardian

Demolition

Texas State Legislator Targets Historic Preservation for Demolition

A bill under consideration in the Texas House of Representatives would tie the hands of preservationists, making it much easier for building owners to demolish or alter buildings without regard to historic significance.

April 19, 2017 - Houston Chronicle

Detroit Pistons

Another Suburban Anchor Development Doomed by Fate in the Detroit Region

The Detroit Pistons recently played their last game in the Palace of Auburn Hills.

April 19, 2017 - Detroit Free Press

'NIMBY' Too Gentle a Word: How About 'New Urban Luddites'?

Richard Florida calls for the use of the term "New Urban Luddites" to describe the embedded interests that obstruct the growth of cities. The consequences of New Urban Luddite politics, according to Florida, are too severe for such an innocuous term.

April 19, 2017 - CityLab

Hurricane Ike Damage

Insurance Industry Reacting as Flooding Moves From Risk to Certainty

Federal legislation and rising sea levels are changing the way homes are insured against flooding. According to this feature article, in fact, flood insurance "is serving as a kind of advance scout into a more difficult future."

April 18, 2017 - The New York Times Magazine

D.C. Zoning Code Change Will Further Limit Rear Additions

In a move that will restrict the building envelope of residential properties, the Washington, D.C. Zoning Commission approved limitations to the construction of rear additions.

April 18, 2017 - Greater Greater Washington

Los Angeles

Lawsuit Closes Popular Hiking Trail to the Hollywood Sign

Closing today: one of the most popular hiking trails in the Hollywood Hills, another case of the antipathy between public access and private property.

April 18, 2017 - KPCC

Oregon

Multi-Family Development in Portland Stalls at a Controversial Crossroads for the City

On the one hand, the city of Portland is facing pressure to add new housing and development to meet the needs of a growing population and an expensive real estate market. On the other hand, change is never easy.

April 17, 2017 - Portland Tribune

San Francisco Bay Bridge

Plan Bay Area 2040 Sets Ambitious Housing and Transportation Agenda

The last time the San Francisco Bay Area got together to set a regional agenda on housing and transportation, the Sierra Club and the Tea Party teamed up to oppose the Plan Bay Area. A draft of the new Plan Bay Area 2040 hopes to avoid the drama.

April 17, 2017 - San Francisco Chronicle

Toronto Little Italy 2

Incremental Development: The Craft Beer Model of Walkable Urban Places

An interview on the Congress for New Urbanism's Public Square examines the concept of incremental development—how it can benefit communities all over the country and how it improves on a century of large-scale development.

April 17, 2017 - Public Square

Lincoln Memorial

Kotkin and Florida Team Up to Agree on Devolution

"Vive le difference!" reads the rallying cry if an article co-authored by Richard Florida and Joel Kotkin.

April 17, 2017 - The Daily Beast

Fringe Development

Creating Inclusive Communities: Notes From a Conference

The Rocky Mountain Land Use Institute annual conference is the region's premier gathering of planning professionals. This year's conference explored strategies for building inclusive cities in which everyone can thrive.

April 17, 2017 - Dean Saitta

Public Stoage

New York Joins Other Cities Hoping to Limit Self-Storage Facilities

Self-storage buildings are multiplying across New York City, where local officials would prefer to protect and grow the city's base of manufacturing and industrial jobs.

April 16, 2017 - The New York Times

Mt. Rainier

Seattle Upzones its Urban Core

A large swatch of downtown and an adjacent neighborhood can develop taller and denser after the Seattle City Council approved zoning changes this week.

April 16, 2017 - The Seattle Times

Monuments

Making Sure More Federal Grant Money Actually Gets Spent

Northeastern University students provide some of the first comprehensive study into a widespread problem with the neglect of federal grant money.

April 16, 2017 - Northeastern University

Renderings Alamo Master Plan

A First Look at the Alamo's $450 Million Master Plan

The Alamo's 300th birthday is coming up in 2024, and a $450 million project to reimagine the Alamo Plaza aims to make a visit to the historic site a more memorable experience.

April 16, 2017 - Rivard Report

Cincinnati

Revitalized Neighborhood in Cincinnati Wants to Keep Parking for Free

The age-old controversy over the cost of parking in heating up in East Walnut Hills, Cincinnati.

April 15, 2017 - Cincinnati Business Courier

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.

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.