Urban Development

A large, four-story apartment building is surrounded by grass and concrete walkways.

The Dividing Line Between Good and Bad Density

Not all density is good, according to the participants at recent event hosted by the Congress for the New Urbanism’s District of Columbia chapter, and examples of new developments cross the line all over the world.

April 19, 2023 - Public Square: A CNU Journal

Aerial view of Montana state capitol building in Helena, Montana

Montana Passes Sweeping Legislative Package to Rescind ‘California-Style-Zoning’

The Montana State Legislature recently approved a package of zoning reform bills modeled closely on bills approved in West Coast states, including the state of California, in recent years.

April 16, 2023 - Business Insider

New York City Zoning Map

The Myth of Local Control

One common argument against statewide zoning reform is that local control of zoning is a venerable democratic norm. But in fact, state government often controls local land use in a variety of ways.

April 16, 2023 - Michael Lewyn

Interstate 787 with Albany buildings in background

Freeway Removal Projects Gain Momentum

Thanks to decades of activism and newly available federal funding, state and local governments are starting to understand the negative impacts of highway construction and working to reverse the effects on cities around the nation.

April 13, 2023 - Congress For New Urbanism

View from back of three men in suits sitting in a large room with leather chairs facing dais

Study: Renters, Women, Minorities Underrepresented in Land Use Decisions

The membership of decisionmaking bodies such as planning commissions rarely reflects the socioeconomic, gender, and racial characteristics of the local community.

April 13, 2023 - Urban Institute

Aerial Philadelphia cityscape by night with the City Hall tower in the foreground and Ben Franklin bridge spanning Delaware river in the back

Report: American Downtowns Safer Than You Think

A Brookings Institution study reveals that crime rates in major cities have risen, but downtown districts account for a negligible part of the growth.

April 12, 2023 - The Philadelphia Inquirer

Bike Commuter

How Commute Times Impact Office Vacancy

Workplaces that employees can reach more quickly are less likely to have high office vacancy rates, a new analysis finds.

April 11, 2023 - Globe St.

Missoula

Missoula Aims for Equity With Development Code Updates

The “Our Missoula Development Guide” is getting an update as the Montana deals with the contemporary pressures of population growth and gentrification.

April 11, 2023 - NBC Montana

Peachtree Street Atlanta

Metro Atlanta Cities Weigh Zoning Changes

The southern city’s growth is prompting questions about how to increase the housing supply, maintain affordability, and accommodate new residents.

April 11, 2023 - Atlanta Civic Circle

A large mansion is visible on a hill with the sprawling desert settlement of Rancho Mirage, California in the background.

Events on Rural ‘Ranchos’ Cause Zoning Controversy in the Coachella Valley

Large events featuring live music have become popular on Coachella Valley ranchos. Some locals want to create a new land use category to clarify the rules about noise generated from the events.

April 10, 2023 - News Channel 3

Woman with child and stroller waiting on Prague subway platform with blurred train passing by.

Improving Gender Equality with Urban Planning

“It's a man's world” is not just a saying. As much as we are surrounded by societal structures that contribute to gender discrimination, we are often also surrounded by physical infrastructure that is just as limiting.

April 10, 2023 - Devin Partida

Multistory wood frame apartment building under construction against blue sky

Upzoning Modestly Increases Housing Supply and Affordability, Study Says

A new study by researchers at the Urban Institute finds new evidence that upzoning produces housing supply and reduces costs, while downzoning does the opposite.

April 9, 2023 - Urban Institute

Zoning Code Rendering

Minneapolis Comprehensive Plan Still Searching for Zoning Alignment

The vision set forth in one of the most ambitious and groundbreaking comprehensive plans in recent memory has yet to align with the practical realities of zoning in Minneapolis.

April 9, 2023 - Star Tribune

Colorado

Fort Collins Code Update Rescinded Due to ADU Opposition

It’s back to the drawing board for a development code update in Fort Collins, Colorado, after residents revolted against zoning reforms that include by-right development of accessory dwelling units.

April 7, 2023 - The Coloradoan

British Columbia residential Neighborhoods

British Columbia Asserts Provincial Control Over Density

The Canadian province plans to override local opposition to loosening zoning regulations that restrict the housing supply.

April 6, 2023 - The Globe and Mail

Outdoor Recreation

Colorado Mountain Communities Line Up to Oppose Statewide Zoning Reforms

State preemption isn’t going over well with local government officials in the remote corners of Colorado.

April 6, 2023 - Vail Daily

The buildings of the Florida State Capitol, old and new, are visible across a lawn in front of the old building.

Florida Law Bans Rent Control Statewide

The DeSantis administration has a signature housing bill. Florida has $711 million in funding for housing programs. Local governments have less power over zoning.

April 6, 2023 - Creative Loafing Tampa Bay

Boise Idaho

Proposed Update to Boise Zoning Code Would Boost Density, Discourage Sprawl

A years-long process has culminated in a proposal that would encourage the creation of affordable housing, promote transit-oriented development, and position the city for less car-oriented growth.

April 5, 2023 - Idaho Statesman

Opportunity Zones

Five Years Later: What Have Opportunity Zones Accomplished?

Two recent studies are among the first to attempt a comprehensive account of the effects of the Investing in Opportunity Program, one of the signature place-based policies of the Trump era.

April 4, 2023 - Economic Innovation Group

Aerial view of neighborhood with homes along a bayou surrounded by green trees in Sugar Land, Texas

A Rapidly Urbanizing Texas County Gets in Touch With its Agricultural Roots

Developers in Fort Bend County are drawing inspiration from ‘agrihoods’ to build car-light communities in one of the nation’s fastest-growing areas.

April 4, 2023 - Urban Edge

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.