Urban Development
Farmland Sale Sparks Protests in China
Since Wednesday, Chinese farmers have been protesting the sale of over 800 acres of farmland to developers. The scene, writes Andrew Jacobs, is not entirely uncommon lately as concerns over environmental justice build.
Around D.C., Metro Essential for Regional Growth
Reporting on a topic of discussion at the Greening Greater Washington Conference, Neal Peirce expounds on how public transit choices has bolstered regionalism around the nation's capital.
Breaking News: Urbanists Turn the Tide in Toronto
Waterfront Toronto is a public advocacy group formed in 2001 to plan the city's extensive waterfront revitalization. In early Sept., Mayor Rob Ford announced he was taking over and turning the land into a giant mall park. Urbanists to the rescue!
Feature Doc on Urban Design Out Soon (Trailer)
Urbanized is a feature-length documentary about the design of cities, which looks at the issues and strategies behind urban design and features some of the world’s foremost architects, planners, policymakers, builders, and thinkers.
Infill Development Becoming Mainstream
Renaissance Homes, a Portland builder, is attempting to revitalize its business by transitioning from suburban, large-scale development to multiple infill projects.
Bicycle-Oriented Development in, Predictably, Portland
They're calling it 'bicycle-supported development', but it amounts to the same thing: new projects are springing up in Portland, OR that cater to the bicycle crowd with extensive bike racks and near popular bikeways.
Ambitious Transit Village Back On, City Says
A waterfront development in Hercules, California which includes a multimodal bus/train/ferry facility, will be built, say city officials and the developer. This despite the fact that where half the cash is coming from has yet to be determined.
In Two Housing Markets, Recession is Either Memory or Reality
There are two housing markets, "one for the rich and one for everyone else," writes Michelle Conlin. Sales and subsequent bidding wars are back in richer neighborhoods, while approximately 98.5% of the population see no end to the recession just yet.
Toronto Debates Need for Waterfront Mega-Mall
Some say that there is simply not enough retail in existence now; versus U.S. cities, at least, Toronto has fewer malls in both numbers and square footage. Dana Flavelle explores why that might not necessarily mean it's underserved.
The Mall, Your Smartphone, and You
Elaine Misonzhnik says the time is soon coming where having a smartphone at the mall will be a necessity instead of a luxury.
Will New York's Next High Line Be Underground?
Three urbanist entrepreneurs are trying to transform an old underground trolley terminal into green space.
Density in the Backyard
Vancouver is working to incorporate more density in traditional single-family neighborhoods by allowing additional dwellings in the backyard, adjacent to alleys.
Maryland Lays Out Plan to Combat Sprawl
A large chunk of the state's developed land is designated as low to very low single-family residential, which explains an exceptionally high percentage of workers who commute to work alone. PlanMaryland seeks to change this unsustainable trend.
NYC Residents Suggesting Locations for New Bike Share Stations
Earlier this week, New York City officials announced a new bikeshare system that will be available to New Yorkers in 2012.
Here Comes the Walmart Express
The megaretailer is part of a trend to rethink and shrink stores, as big boxes around the country have seen their sales plummet.
A New Urban Portrait for Kigali, Rwanda
Kigali, Rwanda's capital city, is beginning to embrace an urban transect-based plan as a solution for its recent population growth and rapidly evolving economy.
Urbanism Without Effort
Chuck Wolfe says that urbanism that can readily occur in urban neighborhoods "without really trying" as people naturally come together in impromptu ways.
"Parklets" Pop Up in Vancouver
Transplanting the wildly popular pilot projects in NYC and SF across the northern border, the City launches VIVA Vancouver program that converts parts of eight streets into public spaces.
Promoting Equity in Subsidized Housing
As the real estate market begins to rebound, many affordable housing advocates and developers in NYC are calling for a modification of the 80/20 program.
Faking It: Imitations of Cities Around the Globe
For better or worse, cities mimic each other, making replicas of great landmarks down to unique light fixtures. The Infrastructurist selects top 5 cities that do the job well. Not surprisingly, Shanghai earns the title as the hallmark of knock-offs.
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.
City of Moorpark
City of Tustin
City of Camden Redevelopment Agency
City of Astoria
Transportation Research & Education Center (TREC) at Portland State University
Regional Transportation Commission of Southern Nevada
Toledo-Lucas County Plan Commissions
