Urban Development

Light Rail Extension Opens on Saturday in Seattle

A $1.9 billion light rail extension, connecting to the University of Washington campus and the Capitol Hill neighborhood, will open to the public this weekend.

March 16, 2016 - KUOW

Seattle Seeks Density as New Normal

Seattle architect David Neiman writes about his city's attempt to find a new housing form that results in a denser city as appealing as the single family fabric that came before it, while managing all the cars.

March 16, 2016 - Crosscut

Historic Atlantic City Airport Up for Sale—90 Percent Off 2008 Prices

The more things change, the more they stay the same. Evidence Bader Field as a cog in plans to revive Atlantic City's financial fortunes.

March 16, 2016 - Associated Press via NorthJersey.com

More Anti-Density Measures Headed to the Ballot in Southern California

Witness the full force of anti-development animus in Southern California, where at least three cities are facing variety of backlash to the status quo of zoning and development processes.

March 15, 2016 - KPCC

Mapping Grocery Store Closures around New York City

Thought eh majority of grocery stores that have closed in New York City recent years were located in Brooklyn, the issue still spreads far and wide through the city's boroughs.

March 15, 2016 - Curbed New York

Urban Infill

Finding Middle Ground in the Density Debate

Writer Alex Marshall looks to Kitsilano, a Vancouver neighborhood, for urban infill done right. Skyscrapers and mid-rise developments aren't always necessary to achieve more people per square foot.

March 14, 2016 - Governing

Another California Columnist Rails Against CEQA Abuse by NIMBYs

With the help of housing experts, San Francisco Chronicle columnist Chip Johnson points to abuse of the California Environmental Quality Act by NIMBYs as one of the main reasons for the Bay Area's housing crisis. Ethan Elkind offers an opposing view.

March 14, 2016 - San Francisco Chronicle

Angry Man

What I Learned When an Angry Group Destroyed My Public Meeting

Introducing the Fiasco Files—a lighthearted look at those times when things went sideways in community engagement. This Fiasco File tells the story of an angry and vocal minority group and the havoc the raised at a public meeting.

March 14, 2016 - Dave Biggs

Manhattan Skyline

Manhattan's Glut of Condos Now a Glut of Apartments

Despite concerns than foreign investors would snatch up expensive condo properties around Manhattan, keeping the supply our of reach of local renters, analysts report rental prices are dropping as new supply enters the market.

March 12, 2016 - Bloomberg Business

Critic Raises Alarms About North Philadelphia Redevelopment Efforts

The Pulitzer Prize-winning architecture critic of the Philadelphia Inquirer is concerned about the large-scale redevelopment of North Philadelphia, under the leadership of the Philadelphia Housing Authority.

March 10, 2016 - The Philadelphia Inquirer

Traverse City

Sleepy Resort Towns Becoming Urban Destinations

Around the country, small, rural towns are experiencing the same political conflicts related to land use and planning more commonly associated with the city.

March 9, 2016 - Next City

Retail: Walkable Urban Primer with Southwestern Inspiration

Need some pointers on how to make downtown retail sing? Check out Hazel Borys' crib notes on Bob Gibbs' directions.

March 8, 2016 - PlaceShakers

Mountain View Breaks Rank—Approves Large Amount of New Residential Land Uses

According to a new plan approved by the city of Mountain View, developers could now add a large amount of dense housing on the doorstep of Google's headquarters.

March 8, 2016 - Vox

Landowner's Response to Development Failure: Call in the Klan

A landowner looking for revenge after neighbors and local officials prevented a proposal to develop 24-acres has gotten creative in irritating the locals.

March 8, 2016 - The Atlanta Journal-Constitution

Glenmont Metrocentre

How One Developer Is Delivering Urban Infill

Doug Bauer, CEO of one of the nation's largest homebuilders, describes the political and design decisions that contributed to the success of urban infill projects in four unique case studies.

March 8, 2016 - Doug Bauer

Seaside Entrance

The Same Old Misconceptions

Misconceptions about New Urbanism persist.

March 7, 2016 - Michael Lewyn

Chinatown Residents Create Their Own Plan to Prevent Displacement

In a city looking to land use regulations for answers to an affordable housing crisis, one collection of community groups attempted to create a plan of their own.

March 7, 2016 - The Architect's Newspaper

Report: High Housing Costs Responsible for California's Economic Woes, Not Taxes

The Golden State attracts high-end workers, while its high housing costs cause a disproportionate number of low and middle income workers to flee the state. The non-profit think tank, Next 10, delves into this crisis in three new reports.

March 7, 2016 - Next 10

Boston City Hall Plaza Overhaul Moves Forward

Boston has a plan to transform City Hall Plaza from a neglected opportunity into a year-round entertainment venue.

March 6, 2016 - The Boston Globe

Op-Ed: San Diego Should Look to Beaches to Increase Density

San Diego should look to its beach communities and its major intersections to achieve its housing and Climate Action Plan goals while minimizing community polarization, writes urban planning consultant Howard Blackson.

March 4, 2016 - UrbDeZine

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.