Urban Development

Calling for a Moratorium on Skywalks in Spokane
Despite declining use of existing skywalks in the city and a new appreciation of the importance of a pedestrian-friendly streetscape, developers are moving forward with several plans to add new skywalks around downtown Spokane.

A Dissenting View of the 'Build Baby Build' Agenda in Boston
The Boston Globe casts doubt on the idea that large amounts of new housing in Boston will be able to reduce already high housing prices in the city.

Domino Sugar Redevelopment Granted Catalytic Status on Williamsburg Waterfront
Crain's New York Business surveys the development investments that have followed the Domino Sugar Refinery redevelopment to the Williamsburg waterfront.
Los Angeles City Council Approves LAX Northside Plan
340 acres of vacant property, granted by the Federal Aviation Authority in the 1970s and 1980s, has a new vision for the future.

Report Finds Increasing Popularity of 'Walkable Urban Places'
The Foot Traffic Ahead 2016 report, by Smart Growth America and The George Washington University’s Center for Real Estate & Urban Analysis ranks cities based on their walkability.

660 Acres Donated to Pittsburgh to Become City's Largest Park
The city of Pittsburgh is celebrating the conveyance of 660 acres of property known as Hays Woods. The property will one day become the largest park in the city.

More Common Ground Sought for the 'Future of Suburbia'
A review of the recent "Future of Suburbia" event held at the Center for Advanced Urbanism at the Massachusetts Institute of Technology.

Comparing Property Tax Rates for 100 U.S. Cities
The Lincoln Institute of Land Policy has released its annual comparison of property tax rates around the country, adding new wrinkles of analysis for this year's edition.

State Bill Could Spread the Supertall Buildings Around New York
A package of bills making their way through the New York State Legislature could usher in an era of new height in parts of New York City.

Why It Makes Sense for Developers to Go to the Ballot Box in California
It may seem understandable for developers to resort to the ballot box after encountering difficulty with a planning commission or city council, but in California it makes sense even for cities like Moreno Valley that are friendly to new development.

Las Vegas to Consider New 30-Year Downtown Master Plan
The Las Vegas City Council will consider a new Downtown Las Vegas Master Plan this week.

Are Families Important in the 'New City'?
U.S. cities leave a lot to be desired for raising a family. However, is it really a worthwhile goal to make cities family friendly? Marin Gertler, a San Diego architect ponders the question after a recent visit to New York City.

Are Ride-Hailing Services Complementing or Competing with Rail Transit?
A news report on Charlotte's Lynx Blue Line looks at whether ride-hailing services are complementing rail transit by providing vital first mile-last mile service or whether customers are forgoing the transit trip entirely. Ridership has been falling.

Photos: 60 Streets Called Martin Luther King
A photo series documents some of the many different U.S. streets named to honor MLK.
Losses Compounding for Preservationists in New York
The Architect's Newspaper reports on the potentially outsized implications of a recent decision by the New York Landmarks Preservation Commission.

Planetizen Week in Review: June 10, 2016
A two-minute-and-thirty-five-second tour of the news and events from the week in planning.

With a Budget Deficit to Fix—What Should The GCRTA Do About the 'Ghost Train'?
The Greater Cleveland Regional Transit Authority's Waterfront rail line carries 400 riders a day. As the authority struggles to fill a $7 million budgetary gap, is it time to finally bury the unused line?
Did Amazon Really Just Create a Pop-up Homeless Shelter?
As cities around the U.S. scramble to figure out how to address the housing affordability crisis, one of them has now leaned on the benevolence of what some consider the least benevolent of them all.
Philly Developer Must Comply With Zoning Deal Before Tenants Can Occupy Luxury Units
City officials in Philadelphia are scrambling to deal with the fallout after a developer suddenly backed out of a deal that allowed additional height in exchange for affordable housing units for a 250-unit development near the Delaware River.

When Urbanism Was a Weapon in the Cold War
The founding of Ciudad Techo in 1961 just outside of Bogota, Colombia played a key role in a strategy by the United States to beat back communist intrusions into Latin America during the height of the Cold War.
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