Urban Development

Minneapolis Green Line University of Minnesota

Minneapolis Ordinance Would Eliminate Parking Requirements Near Transit

Imagine the kind of infill housing developments that could follow if Minneapolis approves a proposed ordinance to reduce and eliminate parking requirements for transit-adjacent developments all over the city.

June 11, 2015 - Streets MN

Denver Skyline

New Office Tower Tallest in 30 Years for the Denver Skyline

A potentially iconic skyscraper is under construction in Denver.

June 11, 2015 - The Denver Post

Youngstown, Ohio

Youngstown: Another Downtown Revitalizes

Earning negative press as a put-America-back-to-work campaign stop, the Ohio city also suffered from reported connections to crime. Now private developers are working alongside Youngstown State to bring people back.

June 11, 2015 - New York Times

Detroit's Vacant Properties Strategy Explained

The Detroit Free Press offers clear analysis of the multiple ongoing efforts in Detroit to improve vacant and blighted properties and return them to the benefit of the city's neighborhoods and residents.

June 10, 2015 - Detroit Free Press

New York City Construction

U.S. Opposition to New Development

New data from the 2015 Saint Index shows what projects provoke the most opposition in the United States when proposed "In your community."

June 10, 2015 - The 2015 Saint Index

A Progress Report for the New Markets Tax Credit Program

During the ups and downs of recovery, acquiring and making the most of funding has been critical for distressed communities. A new report details the recent results from one such source, the New Markets Tax Credit program.

June 10, 2015 - New Markets Tax Credit Coalition

Washington D.C. Row Houses

Washington D.C. Downzones to Curb Pop-Ups in Rowhouse Neighborhoods

Owners of rowhouse properties in Washington D.C. will no longer be able to add height and density by building pop-ups. The construction provoked the ire of aesthetically minded critics and, now, the regulatory controls of the District's zoning code.

June 10, 2015 - The Washington Post

New Faces on the Denver City Council Brings New Skepticism Toward Development

Denver has a reputation for building new residential units to accommodate its rapid growth. But the incoming class of new city councilmembers brings strong anti-development politics.

June 9, 2015 - The Denver Post

Enhanced Infrastructure Financing Districts Explained

With the dissolution of California Redevelopment Agencies in 2011, those looking to spur economic development have struggled to find alternative tools that create investment in communities where such investments don't flow naturally.

June 9, 2015 - The Planning Report

U.S. EPA Provides Guidance for Infill Development in Distressed Communities

Not every city is benefitting from downtown revitalization in the same way, so the U.S. EPA has released a new report offering strategies for in fill development in "distressed" communities.

June 9, 2015 - U.S. EPA

Shopping Carts

What is Urban Decay? (And Why the Answer Matters)

The ambiguous definition of 'urban decay' dilutes the argument for requiring this less-well-known environmental study.

June 9, 2015 - Reuben Duarte

Is Gentrification on Tap at Philadelphia's Pop-Up Beer Gardens?

Danya Henninger reports on the local controversy over a pop-up beer garden in the Philadelphia neighborhood of Point Breeze.

June 8, 2015 - Billy Penn

Santa Monica

Op-Ed Decries Santa Monica's Airbnb Ban

By exiling short-term renters, the coastal city of Santa Monica shifts its housing burden onto neighboring areas. That burden, according to this op-ed, contradicts the city's sustainability commitment and further limits scarce residential options.

June 8, 2015 - Santa Monica Daily Press

McMansion

More McMansions: Upscaling Suburbia

According to this article, the market forces behind large home construction are alive and well. In a process of suburban gentrification, developers purchase older, smaller homes and build "McMansions" in their place.

June 8, 2015 - Bloomberg

Austin Texas

Census Data: Growth Trends Favor Sunbelt Cities

Although city growth continues to outpace the suburbs, the nation's three largest cities are experiencing a growth slowdown. Sunbelt cities like Austin and Orlando are picking up the slack.

June 6, 2015 - Brookings

One57

Why New York Barely Taxes Its Billionaires

If taxed at an average rate, the buyer of One57's $100.5 million penthouse should have paid $1.3 million in property taxes. Instead, the property was assessed at $17,000. Here's why.

June 6, 2015 - CityLab

San Francisco Giants Development Plans Will Compete at the Ballot Box

Approval for a 28-acre, mixed-use development just south of AT&T Park in San Francisco will appear on the ballot in November. Also appearing on the ballot: a much smaller project, with a larger share of affordable housing.

June 5, 2015 - San Francisco Chronicle

Sign Code Update: Finding the Sweet Spot

A case study in integrating form-based and street graphic approaches into the sign code, provided by the city of Lacey, Washington.

June 5, 2015 - MRSC Insight

Seattle 2035 Comprehensive Plan Wrestles With Urban Growth

As increasing density and increasing housing costs raise temperatures all over Seattle, residents and planners are engaging in a comprehensive plan that will determine how the city grows over the next 20 years.

June 5, 2015 - Crosscut

Controversial Bill to Create Transit Corridor Development Authority in Connecticut

Eminent domain is just one of the powers that would be granted the new Transit Corridor Development Authority, per House Bill 6851. The controversial bill is pitting the state's governor against opponents that argue in favor of local power.

June 5, 2015 - CT Post

FREE Course: Walkable City 1: Why Walkability?

After describing his path towards focusing on walkability as the essence of good planning, Jeff Speck marches through his five principal reasons for making more walkable places.

Reinventing Malls: Planning Alchemy—Turning Gray Fields Into Gold

The course focuses on the opportunities and imperatives that shape reinvention of mall sites.

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.