Urban Development

Are D.C. Planners Missing the Forest for the Trees With Redevelopment Efforts?

Seemingly forgotten in D.C.'s rush to revitalize its once run-down neighborhoods is the allocation of new parks and open space, says Aaron Wiener. Are planners repeating the same mistake in the transitioning Mount Vernon Triangle neighborhood?

July 14, 2013 - Washington City Paper

Rotten Apple: Noise Pollution Spoils Life for New Yorkers

The fact that New York is loud is unlikely to surprise anyone. But despite decades of noise abatement efforts, the contributors to noise pollution keep multiplying. As scientists recognize the multitude of negative health impacts, what can be done?

July 13, 2013 - The New York Times

Master Planning is Back; Thank an Architect

In a feature article and provocative editorial, The Architect's Newspaper seeks to examine the lead role that architects are playing in 'laying out the future of cities'.

July 13, 2013 - The Architect's Newspaper

Can St. Louis Keep Its Unique Heritage from Crumbling?

As the back-to-the-city movement takes hold, cities are turning old industrial buildings into distinctive spaces prized as offices and lofts. St. Louis is trying to figure out how to preserve their legacy assets from crumbling as they await new life.

July 12, 2013 - St. Louis Post-Dispatch

Safeguarding New York's Most Vulnerable Neighborhood

While Staten Island and Rockaway, Queens also suffered devastation from Superstorm Sandy; Broad Channel, an island in Jamaica Bay, Queens, may be the lowest lying area in the City and endures tidal flooding regularly, not just from storm surges.

July 12, 2013 - The New York Times - N.Y. / Region

Reputation Renewal: Reconsidering America's Master Builders

Over the last several years, successive books and exhibitions have sought to paint America's midcentury master builders in a new light, by focusing on their accomplishments. What can we learn from the 'post-war planning titans'?

July 11, 2013 - The New Republic

How Bloomberg's Bluster Inspired New York to Build Taller

Kicking off its in-depth examination of the ways in which New York City has been remade during Mayor Bloomberg's tenure, Matthew Schuerman looks at the city's astonishing vertical growth, a significant feat considering the shadow of 9/11.

July 11, 2013 - WNYC

1968 Inverted: Why the 'Back-to-the-City' Movement is 'White Flight' in Reverse

Calling 'white infill' the new 'white flight', Richey Piiparinen argues that urban thinkers need to consider whether the back-to-the-city trend is exacerbating inequity and segregation.

July 10, 2013 - New Geography

Empty Parking Lot

From Peak Car to Peak Parking?

Fewer cars on the road, less driving, why not fewer parking spots? Cities like D.C., L.A., Denver, Philadelphia are responding by reducing or eliminating parking minimums, while Portland, which had already eliminated them, are bringing them back.

July 10, 2013 - The Wall Street Journal

Watch North America's Cities Grow Up

A Canadian real estate startup has created striking animated 3-D visualizations of the evolution of the skylines in cities such as New York, Los Angeles, San Francisco, and Chicago.

July 10, 2013 - Fast Company Co.Exist

A New Way to Diffuse NIMBYism?

A controversial affordable housing project proposed for Somerville, Mass. diffused community opposition by coordinating with the for-profit developer of an adjacent parcel. Could the partnership provide a template for moderating NIMBYism?

July 10, 2013 - Rooflines

Teaching Urban Lessons from Rural Landscapes

Chuck Wolfe's photoshoot in the Palouse region of southeastern Washington State shows the timeless issues of human settlement, from agrarian to urban.

July 9, 2013 - The Huffington Post

Laurie Olin: The Man, The Myth, The Landscape Architect

Laurie Olin, the preeminent landscape architect, is being presented this week with the prestigious National Medal of Arts. The well deserved honor is a big deal not only for Olin and his firm, but for all landscape architects.

July 9, 2013 - Mark Hough

In Replacing Hockey Arena, Pittsburgh's Goal is to Repair Street Grid

When Civic Arena was built in the late 1950's, it severed Pittsburgh's historic Hill District from Downtown, displacing thousands of African American families and businesses. A redevelopment being proposed for the site aims to re-establish the link.

July 8, 2013 - Pittsburgh Post-Gazette

World's Largest Building Opens in China

At nearly three times the size of the Pentagon, Chengdu's New Century Global Center has staked a claim to the title of world's largest building. How do you keep 420 acres of floor space lit? Build an artificial sun, of course.

July 8, 2013 - CNET

LA's Four Epic Planning Mistakes and What They Teach Us

In its history, Los Angeles has made four fateful planning decisions, in the opinion of real estate consultant and developer Michael P. Russell, but much can be learned from these mistakes.

July 6, 2013 - UrbDeZine.com

A No-Brainer: Taichung Recognized as Intelligent Community of the Year

Taichung, Taiwan (pop 2.7 million) has beaten out six other finalists to claim the Intelligent Community Forum’s (ICF) designation as "intelligent community of the year". Robert Bell and Sylvie Albert describe what makes the city an intelligent icon.

July 5, 2013 - The Global Urbanist

How a Growing Megalopolis Will Redefine Africa's Economic and Political Boundaries

Within a few decades, explosive population growth in West Africa will create an urbanized area similar in size to America's eastern seaboard between Boston and D.C., "only far more populous." At one pole is Lagos, a "powerful new city-state."

July 2, 2013 - The Atlantic

Paris Is What People Want; How Can We Make More of It?

Hazel Borys concludes her whirlwind European travelog. This week: a look at the DNA of Paris, and how to replicate it elsewhere.

July 2, 2013 - PlaceShakers

Dharavi Slum

Is Urban Planning Effective in the Developing World?

A common question raised by those working in the developing world is whether urban planning is useful in those environments. Since questions often focus on planning of a comprehensive type, they overlook planning's intrinsic value and flexibility.

July 1, 2013 - The World Bank Group

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.

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.