Urban Development

San Francisco Chronicle Takes a Deep Look at Gentrification in the Mission

A feature series by the San Francisco Chronicle explores the challenges of gentrification at what some might consider ground zero of gentrification in the San Francisco Bay Area—the Mission.

December 22, 2014 - San Francisco Chronicle

Resort and NBA Arena Proposed for the Las Vegas Strip

A developer hopes to bring more of a Times Square feel to the Las Vegas Strip—and maybe an NBA team will follow.

December 22, 2014 - The Architect's Newspaper

Montreal Freeway

Montreal to Tear Down Elevated Bonaventure Expressway

The city of Montreal announced final plans to tear down an elevated highway and replace it with an urban boulevard.

December 22, 2014 - Montreal Gazette

A Gentrification Timeline—50 Years in the Making

Next City is running a special feature that provides a timeline of events of significance to society's concept of gentrification.

December 22, 2014 - Next City

Orange County Great Park Rendering

Trends in Master Planned Communities

Urban Land magazine gathered a panel of developers from around the country to discuss current trends in master planned communities—they all agree that consumers want communities in line with the ideas of new urbanism.

December 22, 2014 - Urban Land

Branding, Operating Details Approved for Cincinnati Streetcar

Several important details of the Cincinnati Streetcar came into focus in recent weeks. Included is a component of the operating agreement that will take advantage of rising property values in funding the system.

December 21, 2014 - UrbanCincy

Central Park Aerial

A New Era of Skyscrapers in New York

New York magazine examines the latest wave of skyscraper development in New York City for the possibility that they might embody the highest outcomes of form and function.

December 21, 2014 - New York

Sunset Plaza

Part One: Should MoMA Tout Tactical Urbanism(s) as a Solution to Uneven Growth?

In part one of a two-part series, I introduce MoMA's latest Issues in Contemporary Architecture exhibit and offer a definition of Tactical Urbanism.

December 20, 2014 - Mike Lydon

New Mayor, New Agenda for the Port City of Long Beach

Recently elected Mayor of Long Beach Robert Garcia, 37 years old, outlines his priorities: education, climate change, and economic development.

December 19, 2014 - The Planning Report

Downtown Cincinnati

60 Years of Midwestern Urban Renewal

Researchers at the Institute for Quality Communities at the University of Oklahoma prepared a set of images to show the indelible impact of mid-20th century urban renewal on Midwestern cities.

December 18, 2014 - Institute for Quality Communities

It's A Wonderful Life

The Most Popular Planetizen Posts of 2014

We've been collecting data on the posts you made the most popular for the year 2014.

December 18, 2014 - James Brasuell

Study: Trip Generation Manual Produces 'Phantom Trips'

Research suggests that the Trip Generation Manual—a familiar tool for planners calculating the vehicle trips expected to be generated by developments of various sizes and uses—produces "phantom trips" and unneeded automobile infrastructure.

December 17, 2014 - CityLab

Redevelopment Plans Finalized for Site of Detroit's Defunct Tiger Stadium

Tiger Stadium was demolished in 2008 after a failed bid to preserve the historic ballpark. Recently, however, a new mixed use development, including a baseball diamond for youth sports programs, was approved to take its place.

December 17, 2014 - The Detroit News

New Designs Revealed for $50 Million Renovation of Minneapolis' Nicollet Mall

The public recently got a first look at a new design proposal from James Corner Field Operations for the $50 million improvement of Nicollet Mall in Minneapolis.

December 17, 2014 - MinnPost

Op-Ed Critiques Architecture: from 'Infinitesimal Specks' to 'Sprawling Dreck'

Steven Bingler and Martin C. Pedersen pen a withering critique of the architecture profession's obsession with glamorous contracts at the expense of context-sensitive, community-focused designs.

December 17, 2014 - New York Times

Leave it to beaver house

The Economist and Suburbia: A Fistful of Myths

A recent set of articles in the Economist argued that the continued spread of suburbia was inevitable and perhaps desirable. But the article's arguments are not always applicable to North America.

December 16, 2014 - Michael Lewyn

Mind the Gap: Media, Researchers Identify Gentrification Differently

A new study by a sociologist at Louisiana State University examines the differences between qualitative and quantitative descriptions of gentrification. Even the New York Times, according to the study, reveals its bias.

December 16, 2014 - CityLab

Groundbreaking for Controversial 'Atlantic Yards' Development

The development formerly known as Atlantic Yards—now called Pacific Park—broke ground this week, finally setting in motion a massive development beset by fierce controversy in the 11 years since it was first proposed.

December 16, 2014 - Crain's New York Business

Report Shows Which States Lead the Net-Zero Building Market

Although net-zero buildings have yet to scale to mass adoption, a new report hopes to inspire architects and developers to join the ranks of the most energy efficient buildings in the country.

December 15, 2014 - The Architect's Newspaper

Diggs Town

Back to Basics: the Diggs Town Public Housing Revitalization

Some of the most effective solutions in urban design involve the simplest design changes. Revitalizing public housing is difficult, but not impossible, as shown by Ray Gindroz and his team at Urban Design Associates in Norfolk, Virginia.

December 15, 2014 - Robert Freedman

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.