Urban Development

Matt Chaban reports on the making of “the Upper East Side’s very own High Line." Current proposals seek not only to "re-pedestrianize" Park Avenue, but also to restore some of its turn of the century glory.

December 1, 2012 - The New York Observer

Thanks to a $2 million federal grant, New Orleans is embarking on a study focused on improving the city's Claiborne Avenue corridor, which sits adjacent to an elevated stretch of Interstate 10. The project's public outreach effort begins next month.

November 30, 2012 - The Times-Picayune

Howard Blackson's "Next Urbanism Lab" series looks at recent trends and lessons learned for urban designers. While the Bilbao Effect, the Vancouver Model, the High Line, and Active Living may provide seductive role models, local insight is key.

November 30, 2012 - PlaceShakers

Kaid Benfield shares the seven winners of this year's National Awards for Smart Growth Achievement, who were recognized by the EPA for protecting "the health and the environment of our communities while also strengthening local economies."

November 29, 2012 - NRDC Switchboard

For the past eight months, the Tampa community has shared their ideas for improving the city in public meetings and through social media. The resulting InVision Tampa plan will orient a more livable downtown along the Hillsborough River.

November 29, 2012 - Tampa Bay Times

Too much parking and too much transit creates a glut of unneeded parking. Of course, this is by design - that is, zoning design, where Downtown Brooklyn developers are required to accommodate new residents of their new buildings with large garages.

November 29, 2012 - The New York Times - N.Y. / Region

Damien Newton reports on L.A. Mayor Antonio Villaraigosa's creation of a Transit Corridors Cabinet (TCC) to coordinate the work of all City departments and agencies with the goal of producing a "more transit-oriented Los Angeles."

November 28, 2012 - Streetsblog LA

Robbie Whelan reports that the last remaining unbuilt parcel in L.A.'s 1,000-acre Playa Vista development has been sold to Brookfield Homes, reflecting a turn by developers away from the exurbs and towards densifying urban cores.

November 28, 2012 - The Wall Street Journal

Transit-oriented developments multiplied and held their values comparatively well in the housing crisis. In this article, Josh Stephens explores whether the trend will continue post-recession, or if sprawl is poised for a comeback.

November 28, 2012 - InTransition Magazine

We all have our role models in life. Never are they more pivotal than in the visioning required for placemaking. Failing to have patterns that perform economically, socially, and environmentally is a critical mistake says Nathan Morris.

November 27, 2012 - PlaceShakers

A decade of relentless, and exhausting, opposition by those "who saw democracy being trampled in the interest of a developer whose methodology they found offensive," has taken its toll on the ranks of opponents to Brooklyn's Atlantic Yards project.

November 27, 2012 - The New York Times

Simon Romero discusses how new development in Brazil's fastest growing region is depleting the world’s largest remaining area of tropical forest.

November 27, 2012 - The New York Times

Courtney Humphries takes a look at recent federal investment in research on the complex interrelationship between human settlements and the natural environment.

November 26, 2012 - Nature

Alex Ulam discusses the challenges of redesigning mid-century urban landscapes to accommodate contemporary tastes and social activities, drawing on examples like Dan Kiley's North Court at Lincoln Center and Boston City Hall Plaza.

November 25, 2012 - The Architects Newspaper

“Despite long ago having fallen from favour among North American city planners and traffic engineers, the multi-lane, multi-use, tree-lined avenue will soon return to our fair burg,” writes Christopher Hume.

November 24, 2012 - The Star

In the three steps of placemaking, crafting a meaningful vision is the first and most straightforward, yet it's the most under-leveraged. Continuing his series on "Municipal Placemaking Mistakes," Nathan Norris describes how to get it right.

November 23, 2012 - PlaceShakers

Bob Bengford, AICP, MAKERS, takes a look at how planned unit development (PUD) ordinances are working in several Northwest communities, the major issues and challenges, and whether PUD ordinances are even necessary.

November 23, 2012 - MRSC Planning Advisor

Paula Cocozza discusses Britain's "new ruralism" trend as "the pastoral idyll" invades its cities. Is it possible to have the best of both worlds within walking distance of each other?

November 21, 2012 - The Guardian

Drawing inspiration from Paris and Barcelona, Kaid Benfield offers his take on the recent controversy surrounding height limits in the nation's capital, enumerated point-by-point against arguments over capacity, density, affordability, and beyond.

November 21, 2012 - NRDC Switchboard

Alex Schafran considers Denver's unique position as a trailblazer in suburban retrofitting and sustainable region-building, as an ambitious mass transit project grapples with a tradition of sprawl and fragmented politics.

November 21, 2012 - POLIS