Urban Development
Report Ranks Walkable Urbanism in America's Largest Metropolitan Areas
A new report authored by Chris Leinberger and Patrick Lynch, called "Foot Traffic Ahead," ranks walkable urban places (or "WalkUPs") around the country.
No Little Plans for Private Passenger Rail Service Between Miami and Orlando
The last private passenger rail in the United States closed in 1983, but a private company is working on a 240-mile service between Orlando and Florida. CityLab recently detailed how a relic of the past could transform the Florida of the future.
Zoning Code Changes as 'Customer Service' in Somerville
Planners in Somerville, a dense suburb adjacent to Boston, are touting the city's new zoning code as a customer service document. An editorial says the changes could flip zoning in the state of Massachusetts upside-down.
Washington D.C. Could Convert Vacant Lots to Urban Farms
Following a trend that has been more common in shrinking cities, Washington D.C. is considering a bill that would convert district-owned lots into urban farms.
Parking Garage—Site of the Nixon Administration's Demise—Scheduled for Demolition
Reuters reports that the famous location where an FBI informant known as "Deep Throat" met with Washington Post reporter Bob Woodward during the Watergate scandal will soon be replaced with a new mixed-use development.
Are Hyper-Urbanizing Countries Experiencing Lower Vaccination Levels?
Urbanization may turn conventional thinking about vaccinations on its head, at least in India.
How Popular Television Predicts Urban Trends
Christopher and Lisa Leinberger present a history of popular television shows reflecting and predicting how Americans chose to live.
Study: American Housing Preferences Mimic American Politics
Emily Badger pulls particularly salient information from last week's Pew Research Center's report on political attitudes: liberals prefer the city while conservatives prefer small towns and rural areas.
When is Density Beneficial in Disasters?
Comparing cities versus suburbs in disaster resiliency and recovery.
Artists Feel Gentrification Pressure in Bushwick
The Brooklyn Brief attended the recent eighth edition oft the Bushwick Open Studios annual art event. There the blog heard from artists concerned about the growing expenses of living in the neighborhood.
Seattle Neighborhood Debates Zoning Changes Near Light Rail Station
The city of Seattle is considering a proposition to upzone the area around the Mount Baker light-rail station in South Seattle, which opened in 2009. Locals are split on the issue.
CEQA Crusader or CEQA Bounty Hunter?
Liam Dillon tells the story of Cory Briggs, a notorious lawyer in Southern California famous for opposing projects under the auspices of the California Environmental Quality Act.
Uproar Over 'Surprise' Big Box Development in Dallas
The evolving story goes back to last summer, but media and stakeholders were caught off guard by the recent revelation that Trammell Crow Co. is planning to develop a 100,00 square foot Sam's Club in Dallas.
For Sale: Air Rights at MARTA's Urban Train Stations
MARTA is exploring the desire of developers to build mixed-use buildings over its urban train stations. Any such deal would be the first of its kind in MARTA's 40-plus-year history.
5 Reasons to Move to the City (ASAP)
Kevin Roose wonders whether "choosing to live outside a major city is tantamount to opting to live in the past."
Conservatives Push Back on 'Affirmatively Furthering Fair Housing' Policy
Stanley Kurtz reports that Congressman Paul Gosar (R-Arizona) "is planning to offer" an amendment to the Transportation, Housing and Urban Development Appropriations Bill that would declaw the Obama Administration's proposed "AFFH" rule.
Riding D.C. Metro's Silver Line: the Great Suburban Retrofit
CityLab provides an in-depth analysis of the planning efforts surrounding the D.C. Metro's forthcoming Silver Line in Tysons Corner, Virginia. At stake, according to the article: "the future of the American suburb as we know it."
Rhode Island's 'Blue State' Policies Criticized
Aaron M. Renn has written a scathing review of the state of affairs in Rhode Island, which he describes as a result of decades of unfettered "blue state" policies.
The Fall of Planning Expertise
With increasing skepticism and conflict towards planners and planning projects, we must ask ourselves: Is the power and politics now vested in "community participation" undermining the planning profession?
Urbanists Soak Up Buffalo: PlaceMakers Empty Their Notebooks
Many of you attended CNU in Buffalo last week, but for those of you who couldn't make it, here's a quick collection of a few of the ideas shared.
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.
Greater Baltimore Committee
Eagle County Government
Harvard University Graduate School of Design
The Architects Foundation
University of Cincinnati Online
The Pocatello Development Authority
The Urban Renewal Agency of the City of Pocatello
Journal of the American Planning Association
