Urban Development

Blue Sky

This Tech Company Wants to Build a Better City

There's no shortage of ambition from Silicon Valley startup accelerator and investment firm Y Combinator—which recently announced its intentions to build a prototype city.

June 29, 2016 - Bloomberg

Marilyn Monroe Palm Springs

Op-Ed Blames Planned Development Districts for Development in Palm Springs

A local writer argues that development is putting the unique character of Palm Springs in peril by taking advantage of the city's Planned Development Districts.

June 28, 2016 - The Desert Sun

Bryant Park

Prioritizing Park Equity in Planning and Policy

The APA blog issues a call to action to promote park equity.

June 28, 2016 - American Planning Association

Manhattan Developers Go 0-2 in Recent Preservation Battles

Local advocates have won a string of political victories against developers in New York City.

June 28, 2016 - The New York Times

Waldorf-Astoria

1,100 Waldorf Astoria Hotel Rooms to Make Way for Condos

A Chinese company has sent a dramatic signal about the evolution of New York, moving forward with a plan to convert most of the rooms in the famous Waldorf Astoria into condominiums.

June 28, 2016 - Bloomberg

Greyhound Station

Greyhound as an Urban Place

Like train stations, Greyhound stations can be tolerable urban places- or they can be another example of suburban sprawl.

June 27, 2016 - Michael Lewyn

Pennsylvania State Park

Pennsylvania Legislators Propose New Commercial Development in State Parks

A pair of legislative proposals in the Pennsylvania State Legislature would open the door to private development in the state park system.

June 27, 2016 - Pittsburgh Post-Gazette

Santa Monica Route 66

Another Anti-Development Measure to Face Voters in Southern California

This time, the scene of the anti-development ire is Santa Monica, where local advocates have qualified for the November ballot on initiative requiring a vote for any project building beyond the zoning code.

June 27, 2016 - Santa Monica Next

Housing Initiatives to Appear on Northern and Southern California Ballots in November

Last week the Los Angeles City Council and Santa Clara County Board of Supervisors approved housing initiatives. "Build Better LA" requires large developments to have affordable units. Silicon Valley voters will vote on a $950 million housing bond.

June 26, 2016 - Planetizen

Disneyland Hotel

Disneyland Wants a $200 Million Tax Break for a New Hotel

Anaheim Mayor Tom Tait says there is no legitimate reason to give Disney the tax break.

June 26, 2016 - Voice of Orange County

Cleveland's Renovated Public Square Opening June 30

The $50 million renovation of Cleveland's Public Square, designed by James Corner Field Operations, will open in time for the Republican National Convention.

June 26, 2016 - The Cleveland Plain Dealer

Seattle

Rezoning Proposed for Seattle's University District

Intended to make the most of a planned light rail station, the city of Seattle has proposed a zoning overhaul for the University District.

June 24, 2016 - The Urbanist

Lucas Museum Will Have to Find a City Far, Far Away From Chicago

The controversy over whether to located the Lucas Museum Site at a lakefront property in Chicago is no longer ongoing.

June 24, 2016 - Chicago Tribune

Denver Union STation TOD

Denver Planning Department Hiring to Keep Up With Permit Backlog

As Denver's development industry achieves post-recession levels of activity, the city's Department of Community Planning and Development needs staff for pre-recession levels of capacity.

June 24, 2016 - The Denver Post

Los Angeles Arts District

Building a Thriving Economy in Downtown L.A.’s Historic Fashion District

As Downtown L.A. sees an impressive renaissance, learn how the Fashion District in L.A. spurred growth through piloting the first-ever "Business Improvement District" program.

June 24, 2016 - The Planning Report

Moving Van

Mapping The Movement of *Some* Millennials

The in-migration of Millennials is largely driving the changes that American cities are going through. More specifically, it is the ones with college degrees who are driving the change. Where are they moving, and what is their effect?

June 24, 2016 - Shelterforce/Rooflines

Carquinez Bridge

The Well Has Run Dry: Redevelopment in Vallejo, CA Without Tax Increment Financing

A case study of Vallejo shows how the city is continuing revitalization efforts without the powerful tools provided by its former redevelopment agency.

June 24, 2016 - Linda Day

Gentrification

New Program Aims for Revitalization Without Displacement

A new program by Smart Growth America is working within specific communities to find ways to deliver the benefits of revitalization with fewer of the drawbacks.

June 23, 2016 - Smart Growth America

Arlington Ballpark

Report: Arlington Baseball Stadium Likely to Cost Taxpayers More Than Promised

An investigation by WFAA-TV finds that the 50-50 deal promised by city officials to build a new baseball stadium in Arlington is more likely going to end up being an 80-20 deal.

June 23, 2016 - WFAA

Homeless Encampment

Voters to Decide Future of San Francisco Homeless Tent Encampments

Unable to pass the measure themselves, four San Francisco Board of Supervisors approved a ballot measure for November that would let voters decide on the removal of tent encampments in the city providing that housing is offered.

June 23, 2016 - San Francisco Chronicle

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.