Urban Development

On the Los Angeles Urbanism Boom
Urban planner and researcher, C.J. Gabbe, shares insights from his past two years living in Los Angeles, including surprising innovations in planning and development.
What's Your 'Elevator Pitch' for Greener, Healthier Cities?
Kaid Benfield shares his placemaking pitch.

New York City BIDs Have Indifferent Impacts on Economic Growth
"Rather than serving as a buffer against economic decline for independent retailers, it seems that Community BIDs are a hindrance to sales and employment growth..." writes Dr. Stacey Sutton in the Journal of Planning Education & Research.
Cleveland and Pittsburgh Lead First-Time Buyer Market
Calling Pittsburgh "the next Boston," recent analysis finds Pittsburgh and Cleveland are bucking trends in stagnant first-time buyer rates in the housing market.
The Las Vegas Strip—Now Catering to Millennials
A travel article in the Dallas Morning News describes the Las Vegas Strip's recent changes as Las Vegas-style New Urbanism.

Comeback Story: Cincinnati's Over-the-Rhine
A Cincinnati neighborhood once described by Reason magazine as "ground zero in inner-city decline" has recovered to the tune of $500 million in investments over the past decade.
Redevelopment of GM Plant in Doraville, Georgia Would Be Region's Largest TOD
A redevelopment project in Doraville, outside of Atlanta, is touted as potentially of catalytic significance for the region, thanks in part to the location of a MARTA station next door.

13 Small Ideas with Big Potential for Cities
Making no little plans is all well and good, but sometimes it is the smallest ideas that can have the biggest impacts for cities and neighborhoods.
'Louisville Food Hub' Central to Economic Development Plans
A public-private partnership will create the "Louisville Food Hub" in the West End neighborhood. Mayor Greg Fischer suggested that the hub might be more critical to the revitalization of the neighborhood than a proposed Wal-Mart.
Relief for Amtrak Travelers to New York's Penn Station Closer at Hand
CityLab's Eric Jaffe provides an update on the two phases of construction of Moynihan Station, an annex to America's busiest train station. Phase One could be completed next year and Phase Two is in need of a "mere" $200 million. But is that enough?
Grand Ambitions for $7 Billion Investment in Washington D.C.'s Union Station
The Washington Post provides all the details, renderings, history, commentary, and more that one could want about Amtrak's proposed $7 billion investment in Daniel Burnham's historic Union Station.
Los Angeles' Historic Pershing Square to Receive Family-Friendly Makeover
Los Angeles' Pershing Square, a five-acre park initially opened in 1866, will undergo major transformations to accommodate the increase of families with children living in Downtown Los Angeles.

5 Mid-Sized Cities Rethinking the Urban Waterfront
Nick Addamo discusses and outlines the plans of five small and mid-sized cities that are re-evaluating their waterfront and developing them to be more people-focused.
New Development Projects Boost San Francisco's Northern Waterfront
The historic Fort Mason, along with several other development projects, has helped alter the landscape of the city’s northern waterfront, according to Jim Chappell, former head of the San Francisco Planning and Urban Research Association.
'Better Growth, Better Climate'—Guidance For Resource-Efficient Economic Development
New report by the Global Commission on the Economy and Climate describes specific actions which can strengthen economic performance and reduce climate change risks. A key strategy is to build better, more productive cities.
The Cost of 'Cool'
Thomas Rogers writes of the "Life and Death of a 'Cool' City," using the example of Berlin and the many "new Berlins" that have endeavored to follow its lead as the next big thing in Europe.
Proposing a New Model for Regional Stratification: 'The New Donut'
Aaron Renn presents a new model for conceptualizing the health of the many layers of communities that make up metropolitan regions, namely the "new donut."
Why Placemaking Matters: What's in it for Me?
What's your elevator pitch on why placemaking matters? Here's a couple rounded up by Hazel Borys, and some numbers that help refine their message.
MARTA Seeking Ideas for Developing Air Rights at Train Stations
In a significant first, the Metropolitan Atlanta Rapid Transit Authority is seeking ideas for developing the air rights above four urban rail stations.
Philadelphia's Housing Incentives Shoot School Funding in the Foot
Philadelphia Inquirer Architecture Critic Inga Saffron is the latest to respond to an article in the Washington Post asking whether family-friendly cities make economic sense.
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 Clovis
City of Moorpark
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