Urban Development

Brisbane Needs Open Space

Queensland University of Technology Prof. Jeannie Sim says that while density has increased in the city, green spaces have diminished.

January 30, 2009 - The Brisbane Times

The Downtown Shooting Star Sputters

Less than a year ago, downtown Los Angeles was seen as a rising star, on a path towards becoming a vibrant and humming urban core. But the economic dive has stalled many projects, and they could be stalled for quite a while, according to this column.

January 30, 2009 - Los Angeles Magazine

Towards Land Recyclability

Urban development needs to be re-considered as urban redevelopment, according to this column from MinnPost.

January 29, 2009 - MinnPost

Comeback for Little Rock's Little Rock

The rock after which Little Rock, AR is named will be excavated to cap off the revitalization of the city's riverfront. No one knows how much of the rock, estimated to be 300 million years old, is left, which raises the question: Is it worth it?

January 29, 2009 - The Wall Street Journal

You Can't Teach A Big Box New Tricks

A Home Depot Expo in Charlotte, NC, is closing. Mary Newsom explains that the real problem with big boxes like this is that they don't make sense over time.

January 28, 2009 - The Naked City

Turning Unbuilt Project Sites Into Open Space

DeLuca Homes planned to build condos in Bucks County, PA- until the bottom fell out of the market. Now they're one of many developers cutting deals with governments to create open space.

January 28, 2009 - Center for Public Integrity

1984 in a New York Apartment Building

Rockrose Development Corporation in New York sees itself as in the business of creating community in its buildings. But some tenants have found that if you're critical of Rockrose, you might find yourself on the street.

January 27, 2009 - The New York Times

Top Ten Enlightened Suburbs

Peter Katz and Jay Walljasper pick ten notable suburbs that are breaking the mold and creating new, vibrant communities.

January 26, 2009 - Utne Reader

A Better World Through Architecture

Architect Wes Jones argues that architecture is "an argument for a better world". But the general public doesn't understand how. Neither do most architects, writes Christopher Hume.

January 26, 2009 - The Toronto Star

Urban Light Affecting Animal Behavior

Light reflecting from streets and glass buildings in cities have been found in a recent study to disrupt animal behavior.

January 25, 2009 - BBC

Cracking San Francisco's Private/Public Spaces

San Francisco building codes encouraged the creation of privately-owned, publicly-accessible spaces across the downtown. These spaces have gone underused and are little understood. A new report from SPUR attempts to clear the fog.

January 24, 2009 - Streetsblog

Seeing the Value of Street Furniture

Street furniture is a critical part of the urban makeup in cities. New developments in the Middle East are beginning to recognize its importance.

January 24, 2009 - Construction Week

Does Detroit Have a Bright Transit Future?

Jon Zemke ponders the many possibilities for building a world-class transportation network throughout metro Detroit.

January 23, 2009 - Metromode

Creative Ideas Stream In for Berlin Airport Reuse

A massive WWII-era airfield in Berlin has been closed down, but city officials are looking for ways to take advantage of the large space. New ideas abound -- from a proposal for a "red light" district to plans for an artificial mountain.

January 23, 2009 - Der Spiegel

A Mall Any City Could Love

The long-term planning principles that have made the National Mall a successful and adaptable public space were in the spotlight during the Inauguration. Cities should take a lesson, argues Christopher Hawthorne.

January 23, 2009 - Los Angeles Times

Giving Highways New Life

The author of this article offers a few ideas on how to better use our 46,000 miles of highway. From the integration of rail lines to the development of electricity distribution grids, the interstate has more potential than it seems.

January 22, 2009 - Metropolis Magazine

Filling a Need But Blocking the View

Plans for a new school and mixed use development in Brooklyn have neighbors excited about the project filling a need but also disappointed about the new project's height, which they say will ruin their view.

January 22, 2009 - The New York Times

When Kids Design Neighborhoods

Coriandoline, a housing development in Correggio, Italy, is the first to have been designed primarily by children. The award-winning neighborhood boasts themed houses and "built-in playability."

January 21, 2009 - Radio Netherlands Worldwide

Coney Island Brings in Residences and Retail

Highlights of the Coney Island revival plan include new housing, shops, and recreational facilities--which some say have no place in the historic amusement district.

January 21, 2009 - New York Daily News

Sprawl To Become Unaffordable For Waco's Future

Growth rates in Waco, Texas, have planners concerned that the region won't be able to afford the necessary roads and services the new sprawl will require.

January 21, 2009 - Waco Tribune-Herald

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.