Urban Development
Los Angeles May Upgrade Orange Line BRT to Rail
The San Fernando Valley's Orange Line bus rapid transit enjoys solid ridership. For an area of the city especially under-served by trains, investing in light rail might be a viable option.
Op-Ed: Stop the Hipster Hate
Un-American to some, symbol of oblivious privilege to others, the urban hipster is a polarizing character. But the stereotype also lays blanket criticism on those simply trying to make people-scaled cities work.
Foresight and the Built Environment
In the ever changing global landscape, organizations need to anticipate and adapt to shifting circumstances to survive. AJ Artemel spoke to Dr. Gereon Uerz of the Arup Foresight + Innovation team to discuss how this can be realized.
San Francisco Seeks Lighter Side of Market Street
San Francisco recently hosted a series of events to make the city's backbone, Market Street, a little more fun. It's the latest of many efforts to revitalize a street that has been problematic even as the rest of the city has boomed.
The Case for Desalination: Option of Last Resort for Some California Cities
In this radio report on the use of the expensive, controversial strategy of desalination to meet California's water needs in an epic drought, KQED's science reporter speaks with the mayor of Carmel, a V.P. of Poseidon Water, and an environmentalist.
Zoning Code Update Sparks Vocal Opposition in Santa Monica
The liberal, affluent enclave of Santa Monica is infamous for its controversies over growth policy. A proposed Zoning Ordinance Update (ZOU), currently under consideration by the City Council, has struck a nerve.
Should a Parking Lot in D.C. Be Saved in the Name of Historic Preservation?
In the wealthy community of Spring Valley, just inside the western boundaries of the District of Columbia, residents are opposing a proposed development by claiming the site—a parking lot—is a historic landmark.
Inside the $1 Billion 'Hipster Mega-Project' at Brooklyn's Sunset Park
Henry Melcher reports on the massive investment plans for Industry City in Sunset Park, Brooklyn.
Friday Eye Candy: Built Environments Expanded Beyond Wildest Dreams
The work of Marcus Lyons replicates images of already sprawling human development to the breaking point and maybe beyond.
The NBA's Future in Milwaukee Depends on Stadium Financing
A local alderman makes the case for a one percent sales tax dedicated to providing public funding for a new stadium to house the Milwaukee Bucks.
'Great Green Living Room' Proposed for Toronto's Central Waterfront
The winners of a design competition to overhaul a popular tourist destination in Toronto have been announced. Now comes the hard part.
New Park, Developments Reshaping Downtown East in Minneapolis
A new park and lots of new development will follow the under-construction stadium for the Vikings on the eastern side of Minneapolis urban core.
Report Quantifies Displacement and Rising Housing Costs in Philadelphia
A policy report from the Philadelphia Coalition for Affordable Communities made news for recommending policies to disincentive, with taxes, real estate speculation. The report also includes raw data on the transformation happening around the city.
Farmland 'Blight' to Make Way for Industrial Uses Near Portland
Looking to add some industrial heft to the Portland, Oregon region's economy, a recent study makes the case for the North Hillsboro Industrial Area to be built on what is currently farmland.
Seattle Residents Look to Community Land Trusts to Insulate from Displacement
Community land trusts are gaining popularity as a tool for building and protecting affordable housing. Seattle residents are the latest to consider the option in the face of rapid gentrification and displacement.
'Stay Hungry. Stay Foolish.'—the DNA of Urban Succession
Don't design for the climax condition if today's marketplace supports something less—and other urban succession ideas.
Why Are New York Transit Projects So Expensive?
Going back to Robert Moses, New York City has a history of underestimating the price of major construction projects. Inflated infrastructure costs are prompting stakeholders to seek out root causes.
Public Policies For Optimal Urban Development
What amount of expansion, population and vehicle densities, housing mix, and transport policies should growing cities aspire to achieve? This column summarizes my recent research that explores these, and related, issues.
Against Generic Placemaking
'Placemaking,' the process by which cities and developers supposedly create appealing public spaces, is in a crisis, writes critic James Russell. Too many "made" places are generic and lack true relevance to the cities that build them.
Seattle Eco-District Fosters Green Development
In a bid to knit sustainability into large-scale community development, Seattle's Capitol Hill EcoDistrict is exploring several avenues toward greener land use.
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
