Urban Development
Getting Rural
The recession and fewer urban job prospects are driving young American families to try rural living.
Bump in the Road for Columbia's Expansion Plans
Columbia's plans to use eminent domain to expand its campus may have to wait. On Thursday, an appellate court reversed a previous decision to take property on behalf of the school.
Liveability a "Major Priority" at DOT
Among the criteria for evaluating projects, livability is at the top, along with safety and economic competitiveness.
Redefining Blight
From New London to the Atlantic Yards, the last month has seen a flood of news around the issue of eminent domain. Diana Lind wonders if we need a new definition of 'blighted.'
Pearl District Revitalization Now Includes Kids
A new affordable housing development going up in Portland's dense Pearl District will include a public school on the ground floor.
The Corner Store Returns
Market forces are reshaping the usual suburban format for many large-scale grocers.
'Zero-Energy' Neighborhood Emerges in Boulder
Developers in Boulder are planning to unveil a 12-home subdivision that claims to be one of the nation's first "zero-energy" neighborhoods.
Austin Considers Density Bonus
City officials in Austin are considering a new incentive for builders willing to include public spaces in new projects.
Curing Sprawl in Lansing
Like many American cities, Lansing, Michigan, has been afflicted with sprawl since the end of World War II. Locals have identified the culprit: separate-use zoning.
One Step Towards Orange County's Great Park
The Orange Country Great Park has received the official go-ahead, with a dedication of $65 million for the first phase of construction.
Last Gasp for Vegas?
The $8.5 billion CityCenter mega project is set to open next week in Las Vegas. Many say it's likely to be the last major project in the struggling city for years.
The Forgotten River of Kolkata
The Hooghly River runs right through Kolkata, India, but it remains largely behind the scenes and caved in by factories and industrial uses. Some voices are calling for the city to embrace its river and reorient itself around the amenity.
Redeveloping Open Space to Revive Housing Projects
Public housing projects have been a thorn in the paw of New York City for years. The city is trying to figure out what to do with the perennially problem-plagued housing projects. Some groups say redevelopment is the answer.
Scars of a Subdivision That Wasn't To Be
This post from BLDGBLOG looks at the ghost of a planned but never realized subdivision on the outskirts of a Southern California exurb where only faint lines of unfinished roads remain.
Developer Goes Green To Make Up For Big Box History
Developer Jim Jacoby likes to joke that his move into alternative energy and mixed-use development is penance for a history of building WalMarts.
Exercising Eminent Domain for Private Developers
A New York Court of Appeals ruled in favor of a private developer, who plans to build a basketball arena in Brooklyn, validating the state's use of eminent domain on his behalf. A local group says the fight is just beginning.
Front Yards Are For Lawns, Not Cars, City Says
Queens and Brooklyn homeowners may soon be prohibited from converting front yards into parking pads if a set of regulations is approved. The loss of street parking from new curb cuts was cited as a reason, along with aesthetics.
Boomburb Growth Must Go Up, Not Out, To Retain Viability
As reported here, many boomburbs have ceased growing, if only temporarily. Streetsblog notes that experts are suggesting that in order to maintain their economic viability, these fast growing communities will have to, gasp, become more urban in form
Iraqi Civil Engineers Take Over Base Planning
An architect, electrical engineer, mechanical engineer and four civil engineers from Iraq have taken over the base planning for the U.S Army's Basrah base, a small city with electrical, sewage and water systems as well as ongoing construction.
Pagination
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.
Caltrans
City of Fort Worth
New Jersey Institute of Technology
Mpact (founded as Rail~Volution)
City of Camden Redevelopment Agency
City of Portland
City of Laramie