Urban Development

Debating Seattle's Growth
There's plenty to talk about in a city where rents have increased by 51 percent since 2010.

Can Design Defeat Gentrification?
The social vision of an architecture firm working in Bushwick, in Brooklyn, faces a familiar set of challenges.
Why Planners and Other Built Environment Professionals Should Pay Attention to Pokémon Go
Pokémon Go represents the coming of age of a powerful new technology: augmented reality. PIA Young Planner Nick Kamols applies a planner's perspective to what today's anime-based craze might tell us about what's coming tomorrow.

Opposition to Bay Area Housing Exposed
A 660-acre Bay Area brownfield served by commuter and light rail is the latest battleground between suburban communities intent on preserving open space and quality of life and meeting the Bay Area's unmet housing demand.

5 Goals for Vancouver's New Chief Planner
Vancouver has a new chief planner, and a former chief planner already has a to-do list for the new guy.

Changes to Los Angeles' Small Lot Ordinance on the Way
Responding to criticism from neighborhoods faced with new small lot developments, the city of Los Angeles in considering changes to its Small Lot Subdivision Ordinance.

Spiting Mandatory Inclusionary Housing to Save Mandatory Inclusionary Housing
The question of whether New York City's new mandatory inclusionary housing policy should apply to a 17-story project in Manhattan could have wide-ranging implications.

Department of Justice Steps in to Halt Religious Discrimination Through Zoning
As the U.S. Department of Justice takes action to protect the religious freedoms of Muslims in the United States, zoning decisions have proven a particularly common source of anxiety among Muslim communities.

Mixed-Use Development as an Obesity Reduction Tool
An introductory lesson in mixed-use development produces lessons and resources for obesity reduction.

Supervisor Calls for Halt to Construction in San Francisco's Mission District
The ghosts of the Mission Moratorium have returned to San Francisco, after a local supervisor has called for a halt to three projects while the city crafts legislation to regulate development in the neighborhood.

A New Plan for Trees in the 'City of Trees'
The city of Sacramento, California, known as the City of Trees, is nearing the finish line on a heavily debated ordinance to create new regulations for the management of trees.

Opinion: What It Will Take to Fix Los Angeles Metro
If Los Angeles residents approve the $120 billion sales tax measure in November, focusing on walkable communities and offering fast, frequent transit service will be critical to its success.

Twisting the Truth: The NIMBY Opposition to Second Units in L.A.
An op-ed by Daniel Freedman explains how a legal spat over an 850-square-foot "granny flat" affected hundreds of units around Los Angeles. The city's attempt to rectify the problems with its second unit ordinance has encountered more resistance.

Where Have all the Great Urban Places Gone?
Newly built urban places leave a lot to be desired, according to this article in Governing.

Proposed California Law Could Fast Track CEQA Litigation for Large Developments
A bill moving through the California Legislature, SB 734, would extend the reach of legislation from 2011 that benefitted the defunct Farmers Field football stadium in downtown Los Angeles.

Mandatory Inclusionary Zoning Gets Committee Approval in Seattle
A key component of the city of Seattle's Housing Affordability and and Livability Agenda moved forward earlier this week.
Sharrows on Sidewalks?
Generally speaking, bikes on sidewalks are not a good idea, but a federally funded project in Duluth, Minnesota may cause planners to take a second look at the practice.

Study Documents the Shifting Racial Boundaries of Gentrifying Cities
New research finds evidence of racial "boundary movements," in older, denser U.S. cities. The research explains more about why gentrification feels like such a powerful force, for those experiencing its effects.

Summer Fun: Pokémon GO and Minecraft for Young Urbanists
Do video games have anything to teach kids? Hazel Borys says yes, in moderation.

Big, Corporate 'Back to the City' Movement Continues
In the latest news, chemical company Chemours will remain in downtown Wilmington, Delaware's largest city. In June, McDonald's decamped from Chicago's suburbs for downtown. This latest corporate trend is the topic of a New York Times article.
Pagination
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.
City of Camden Redevelopment Agency
City of Astoria
Transportation Research & Education Center (TREC) at Portland State University
Regional Transportation Commission of Southern Nevada
Toledo-Lucas County Plan Commissions