Urban Development
Theme Parks Booming in Asia
More and more theme parks are being planned across Asia, which is creating new opportunities for designers.
Affordable Housing Gives Life to The Bronx
The Bronx is slowly shedding its negative image as it boasts a job growth that is outpacing the entire New York City, and the fastest wage increases than any other borough in the city, reports Daniel Massey for Crain's New York Business.
To Counter Congestion and Crowding, Moscow Expands
Officials in Moscow are pushing a plan to double the footprint of the city in order to ease congestion and overcrowding. Some worry sprawling development patters will follow.
Tom Low's Vision for De-Sprawling Charlotte
With foreclosure rates high and car-dependent development spreading, Charlotte might want to start listening to new urbanist Tom Low, according to this article.
Property Loans Dry Up in Chinese Cities
Banks in China have stopped accepting loan applications for property in the country's second- and third-tier cities in an effort to curb inflation.
Vancouver Plans Big Build to End Homelessness
The city of Vancouver is planning to offer more than $42 million in land and capital grants aimed at developing affordable housing. Its part of a 10-year plan to end homelessness in the city.
'Pop-Up' Urbanity
Small-scale, temporary interventions in urban space have brought the concept of "pop-up" projects into the civic space of cities.
Empty Stadia and Some Regret in South Africa
One year after it hosted the World Cup, South Africa is looking at empty and expensive stadia and a persistent debt that's causing some to regret hosting the soccer tournament.
How the Other Half Lives in Hong Kong
For a city of over 16,000 people per square mile, less than 7% of Hong Kong's land is designated for residential use. Subdivided apartments - aka "coffin units" - totaling 150 square feet aren't uncommon, reports The Wall Street Journal.
What Buyers' Stalled Decision Means to Homebuilders
While most homebuilders take measures to control cost, such as modifying the plan layouts or building more energy-efficient homes, few revamp their business strategies by creating specialized division for distressed markets.
Urban Trees = Cleaner Air
Not that it's a real surprise that trees clean the air, but a new study shows that greenery in cities can have a significant effect on air quality.
"No Net Loss" for Third Places?
Amid the dissolution of Borders bookstores in urban centers, Chuck Wolfe urges policymakers and the private market to assure "no let loss" in the spirit of natural resource protection to assure third places remain available in American cities.
Tear Down the Freeway, Or Not?
Using a federal grant, New York City is studying the effects of a highway teardown not just on transportation but on housing, jobs, park access and quality of life.
Where the Youth Goes, Companies Follow
Companies are moving back to the city in response to a new generation of workers who prefer the urban environment over suburban office parks.
Top 10 Cities to Invest in Rental Properties
Based on estimated returns on investment in single-family home rental properties of 316 markets, Las Vegas is your best bet to invest on rental properties. Orlando, Tampa, and Fort Lauderdale - all in Florida - also made the list.
Quality Housing Stands the Test of Time
Patrick Kennedy stresses the importance of quality over quantity in residential housing by comparing houses in McKinney, North Texas, with those on Swiss Avenue near Downtown Dallas.
Walmart Win in Washington
Walmart easily received approval for four new big box stores in Washington, D.C. With so much opposition elsewhere, why the open arms in the Beltway?
Placemaking Is Key To Job Creation, Says Politician
In a post at Project for Public Spaces, a politician from Spokane, WA is quoted as saying the way municipal governments could spur job growth is by building public spaces where people want to live, work, shop and invest.
Ranking the Most Walkable Cities in the US
Each year Walk Score ranks the top cities for walking, according to its own walk score methodology. In 2011, NYC placed #1. See the rest of the top 10!
Does Dallas-Fort Worth's Urban Form Affect Its Music Scene?
Observer music writers Pete Freeman and Daniel Hopkins debate the affects of suburban sprawl on the local music scene.
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.
City of Rosemead
Rutgers University, Edward J. Bloustein School of Planning and Public Policy
One Hundred Miles
University of Michigan School for Environment and Sustainability (SEAS)
Hunter College, City University of New York (CUNY)
The Architects Foundation
City of Cambridge
Montrose County
The Pocatello Development Authority
