Urban Development

Development Approval Process Hits a New Low in Los Angeles
As a particularly sad example of the morass of confusion and litigation that defines the development and planning process in California cities, renters have been ordered to vacate a newly constructed residential building in Hollywood.
10 Projects Critical to Tampa Bay's Future
A column by Robert Trigaux lists ten projects that the Tampa Bay region "can't afford to screw up" if it wants to gain more attention on the national stage.
Op-Ed: Austin a Shadow of its Former Self
An op-ed by David Heymann produces an elaborate, protracted metaphor of Austin as a former youthful "golden child" now showing the least attractive possible traits of middle age.
Transforming Downtown San Diego's Grid for Biking and Walking
By virtue of super small blocks, San Diego's downtown has more space dedicated to cars than most cities. That's about to change. San Diego urban design activist Bill Keller explains how they’ll do it.

Study: Sprawl Costs the U.S. Economy $1 Trillion Annually
A major new study estimates that sprawl costs the U.S. economy more than a trillion dollars annually, and results, in part, from planning and market distortions. Smart policy reforms can result in more efficient and equitable development.

Where Los Angeles Equals San Francisco's Density
Though the Los Angeles region is very dense, significant barriers to transit-oriented planning remain. Based on this analysis, the lack of a central urban core shouldn't be one of them.
$6 Billion Master Planned Development Moving Forward in the East Bay
Concord, California is considering a trio of massive redevelopment proposals for the site of a former Navy weapons depot that could bring 12,000 homes and 6 million square feet of commercial development to the fringe of the East Bay Area.
Surveying the Results of 150 Years of Persistent Growth in Atlanta
The American Institute of Architects will visit Atlanta this year, a month after the 150th anniversary of the end of the Civil War. What should we know about the city as it exists today?

Death and Life in Seoul
A new article in the Journal of Planning Education and Research tests whether Jacob’s ideas ring true for predicting pedestrian vitality in Seoul.
Details of New Orleans' Online Property Auction
On March 6, 2015, New Orleans launched a new online auction system for tax-adjudicated properties. The Times-Picayune has been closely monitoring the system since it launched.
A New Toolkit for Developing Urban Agriculture Systems
As cities and towns offer more incentives and planning support for local agriculture, there is still plenty of education and learning to be done to create and sustain local food systems. Enter the Agricultural Urbanism Toolkit.
Inside Flint's Innovative Blight Elimination Plan
A blight elimination plan for Flint, Michigan has take shape over the past year, revealing innovative, community-based strategies for improving vacant properties and stabilizing the city's population.
Not 'The One' and Done—Toronto Amidst a Skyscraper Building Boom
Toronto has been the hottest scene In North America for skyscrapers in recent years, leading to comparisons to New York of the 1920s. Here's a look at a new wave of expected skyscrapers in Toronto.
Egypt Proposes a New $45 Billion Capital City
It's notable that one of the world's oldest countries and the birthplace of one its most ancient cultures, would want to build an entirely new capital. Questions, like, "Will it work?" and "Will it actually happen?" remain to be answered.
Global Suburbanisms: Beyond the White Picket Fence
With more people gravitating toward cities than ever before, new urban morphologies are proliferating throughout the world. Arup Connect's Sarah Wesseler talks with Roger Keil of York University about challenges facing global suburban development.
Legal Ruling a Major Setback for Chicago's Lucas Museum Plans
Greg Hinz reports on a high profile ruling that throws up a major obstacle for the proposed development of the Lucas Museum of Narrative Art in Chicago.

On the Limitations of Density
Writing for FastCo.Design, Architecture Critic Inga Saffron provides a cautionary tale about density done poorly.

Exploring the Unique Geography of Detroit
One of Detroit’s most defining modern characteristics—and most pressing dilemmas—is its huge amount of neglected and vacant land.

Renzo Piano on the Potential of Suburbs
In an interview, architect Renzo Piano says European suburbs are not desolate. He argues they shouldn't be treated as such in the quest for cohesive cities.
Urban Renewal District Ready to Pay Off in Beaverton
An urban renewal district established in 2011 in the city of Beaverton, Oregon has so far fallen short of its 150-million potential. But as the local economy improves, so too does the tax increment and bond financing potential of the district.
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