Urban Development

Arup Proposes Radical Building of the Near Future

The global engineering firm envisions a "smart" building that will plug into "smart" urban infrastructure and cater to an increasingly dense and technology-savvy urban population.

February 11, 2013 - Building Design

Hukou: China's Great Urbanization Challenge

A 2,000 year old household registration system in China ties temporary urban workers to rural life.

February 10, 2013 - The Washington Post

America's Housing Stock in Need of Triage

In rising to meet America's changing housing needs and demands, not every community is positioned to pull it off. What to do? Painful though it is, Ben Brown suggests triage.

February 10, 2013 - PlaceShakers

Next Olympic Host Becomes Pawn for Putin's Ambitions

It will cost more than $50 billion to transform the "once sleepy" Black Sea resort of Sochi into the "sleek host" of the 2014 Winter Olympics, writes David M. Herszenhorn. The most expensive games ever is a pet project of President Vladimir V. Putin.

February 8, 2013 - The New York Times

Design for Tallest Building in the West Unveiled

Roger Vincent shares the long-awaited design of the Wilshire Grand, a 73-story tower planned for downtown Los Angeles. When completed, it will surpass the nearby U.S. Bank Tower as the tallest building west of Chicago.

February 8, 2013 - Los Angeles Times

Using Pictures to Think About Cities

How does each of us perceive the city? Using photos of pedestrians in Seattle crosswalks and the highly walkable Las Ramblas in Barcelona, Chuck Wolfe challenges readers to think for themselves about what they see.

February 8, 2013 - The Atlantic Cities

Housing Boom on Tap for Downtown Chicago; Will the Bubble Burst?

Alby Gallun looks at Chicago's downtown apartment boom, which is supposed to add 4,700 units to the market by the end of 2014. Will lenders allow the bubble to burst?

February 8, 2013 - Chicago Real Estate Daily

Postwar Suburbia from the Air

On Places, D.J. Waldie assesses iconic aerial photographs of Lakewood, California, one of the nation's first postwar planned communities.

February 8, 2013 - Places Journal

Who Can Fill L.A.'s Design Leadership Vacuum?

While New York has benefited over the past decade from the design leadership of Michael Bloomberg, Amanda Burden, and Janette Sadik-Khan, Los Angeles sorely lacks such powerful champions. Sam Lubell asks who will step up for L.A.

February 7, 2013 - The Architect's Newspaper

What's Next for Alexandria's Waterfront?

The pending sale of historic industrial buildings in Alexandria is seen as crucial to spurring the Virginia city's waterfront redevelopment, and "fulfilling a new vision for the area."

February 7, 2013 - The Washington Post

Can Bryant Park Visionary Bring Midas Touch to Newark

Newark is pursuing an ambitious plan to revive its derelict Military Park, but that challenge is nothing new for Daniel A. Biederman, who was instrumental in transforming Manhattan's Bryant Park "from a forbidding drug haven to a jewel-box refuge."

February 7, 2013 - The New York Times

Unique Partnership Crucial to Cincinnati Neighborhood's Renaissance

Craig Chester describes the "unique partnership" between city leaders, local corporations and private developers that has helped transform Cincinnati’s Over-the-Rhine neighborhood into "one of America’s greatest smart growth success stories."

February 7, 2013 - Smart Growth America

Petaluma Kids

The Lost Downtown Demographic

Revitalizing downtowns requires appealing to all demographic and, specifically, age groups. Diversifying entertainment options will allow all groups to enjoy the activities associated with downtowns.

February 6, 2013 - Global Site Plans - The Grid

Neighborhoods First (and Goal)

Howard Blackson's words of advice for San Diego's new administration are applicable wherever it is you call home. Neighborhoods first!

February 6, 2013 - PlaceShakers

Businesses Seek a Slice of the Pacified Pie in Brazil’s Favelas

Following the surge of “pacifying” missions in many of Rio de Janeiro’s famed favelas, Forbes’ Ricardo Geromel discusses the arrival of private sector investments and how they may evolve in the future.

February 5, 2013 - Forbes

'Fabricated' Letters of Support Dog DC Area Redevelopment

An effort to bring jobs and the first Whole Foods to Prince George's County confronts rezoning debates and backhanded tactics.

February 5, 2013 - The Washington Post

L.A.'s Rail Revolution Celebrates 20 Years

Dave Sotero reflects on the "mammoth undertaking" necessary to build L.A.'s modern subway system. He begins with the completion of the first phase of the Metro Red Line 20 years ago, and ends with a look at its promising future.

February 4, 2013 - The Source (Metro)

President Obama Cabinet Meeting

Florida to Obama: Establish a Department of Cities

Lamenting the lack of a single big, transformative urban idea during President Obama's first term, Richard Florida urges the president to establish a new cabinet-level Department of Cities to build a "lasting urban legacy."

February 4, 2013 - New York Daily News

An Appraisal of Ed Koch's Impact on New York

Former New York City mayor Ed Koch passed away on Friday at the age of 88. For the popular figure who was known for stopping constituents on the street to ask, “How’m I doin’?”, Joseph Berger endeavors to deliver an answer.

February 4, 2013 - The New York Times

6 Easy Ways to Make a City More Livable

Baltimore has a lot of bold ideas for changing the face of the city. While we wait for them to happen, why not implement some simple solutions for making the city more livable, proposes Mark R. Brown, AICP.

February 2, 2013 - Car Free Baltimore

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.