Urban Development

Beyond Moses and Jacobs

Neither the block-level gentrification inspired by the patron saint of city planning nor the wide-scale mega-project redevelopment advocated by New York City's infamous planning czar are useful models for the realities of 21st century cities.

August 13, 2007 - Neil Smith

Downtown Mixed-Use Village Envisioned As City's New Centerpiece

A mixed-use village on a prime parcel of land in downtown Spartanburg, South Carolina, known as Renaissance Park may be the first major project to result from the city's recently adopted master plan.

August 13, 2007 - Spartanburg Herald-Journal

Developer Ties Mix Of Uses Into Stadium Plans

Officials and developers in St. Louis continue their quest to draw a Major League Soccer team to the city with recently revealed plans for a major stadium-housing-retail-office complex.

August 11, 2007 - St. Louis Post-Dispatch

The History Of Toronto's Parks Deficiency

The city of Toronto originally had more park space than New York's Central Park. But the need to generate revenue caused the city to sell off much of its parkspace over the years, leaving a city with comparably few open spaces.

August 10, 2007 - The Toronto Star

The Difficulty With Implementing Planning Ideals

New urbanist designs can be beautiful in the hands of experts, but the developer's version of idealistic plans may be something else altogether, says Morris Newman, who examines the design of a 500-acre project in Fresno.

August 10, 2007 - California Planning & Development Report

Farmland Values Reach Record Heights

The price of farmland is rising rapidly as ethanol fever grabs many farmers who are looking to cash in on the corn-based fuel. But the rising prices are making things harder for smaller farmers, and keeping many prospective farmers out of business.

August 9, 2007 - The New York Times

More Land Secured For Atlanta Beltline Project

The City of Atlanta and a group of investors have purchased another plot of land for the city's Beltline project -- a loop of open spaces, rail lines, and housing and retail developments. This is the first plot purchased in more than a year.

August 9, 2007 - The Atlanta Journal-Constitution

Landlords Find Loophole To Ease Condo Conversion

In the Alberta Province of Canada, a loophole in a law meant to protect tenants from being evicted for condo conversions has been discovered that allows landlords to legally raise the rents as high as they want, effectively pricing tenants out.

August 9, 2007 - CBC

Beautification Project Leaves Local Businesses On Shaky Ground

A city-sponsored streetscape beautification project currently under construction in Washington D.C. has been keeping many customers away from local businesses. Many are calling on the city to help out businesses during the construction-caused lull.

August 8, 2007 - The Washington Post

Can The Corps Correct Its Mistakes?

Looking back over the two years since Hurricane Katrina devastated New Orleans, the Army Corps of Engineers' continuing work has been closely scrutinized. But will they be able to prepare New Orleans for an even bigger storm?

August 8, 2007 - Time

How Seattle Has Grown

Urban geographer Richard Morrill discusses the history of growth in Seattle, the influences that cause it, and which of the influences can be controlled.

August 8, 2007 - Crosscut

Embracing The Waterfront In Yonkers

With Hudson Riverfront developments finding success in lower Manhattan and Jersey City, the city of Yonkers, New York, is looking to redevelop its own waterfront. There are also plans to unearth a subterranean river and develop along its course.

August 8, 2007 - Architectural Record

Developers Move In On Protected Farmland

For 30 years, a farmland conservation program in Long Island was able to keep farmers farming land that was becoming increasingly valuable and sought by developers. But now, the land is being bought by developers and is not being farmed.

August 7, 2007 - The New York Times

Long Ignored, Sleepy Wine Valley Town Gets Champagne Treatment

Nestled in the world famous Napa Valley, the City of Napa, California, is undergoing a rapid transformation from an affordable industrial town into an increasingly upscale community.

August 6, 2007 - The New York Times

The Redevelopment Of Asia's Largest Slum

The Dharavi neighborhood of Mumbai -- home to 600,000 residents -- is set to be razed and rebuilt under a massive redevelopment scheme.

August 5, 2007 - The Independent

Drinking The 'Downtown Revitalization' Kool-Aid

Boosters like to sell downtown revitalization as crucial to a region's economic interest -- but for most cities, that's rarely the case.

August 4, 2007 - East Valley Tribune

The Left-Leaning NIMBY

In Marin County and other wealthy, liberal enclaves, many residents are vocally supportive of affordable housing and other causes -- unless its in their neighborhood.

August 3, 2007 - Mother Jones

California's Best and Worst Downtowns

San Francisco and San Diego are the No. 1 downtowns in California, according to California Planning & Development Report. L.A. is #4, behind Long Beach. Last? Fresno, Fresno, Fresno.

August 3, 2007 - California Planning & Development Report

Salt Lake Sky Bridge Becomes Political Hot Button

The controversy over the proposed sky bridge in downtown Salt Lake City has worked its way into the race for mayor.

August 2, 2007 - Salt Lake City Weekly

Creating A Sense Of Place With Modern Day Main Streets

In Missouri, towns are embracing New Urbanism and reviving main street districts or even creating new downtowns where they didn't exist.

August 2, 2007 - St. Louis Post-Dispatch

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.

Comprehensive Bikeway Design Workshop

Transportation Research & Education Center (TREC) at Portland State University

Early Bird Deadline – save on your tuition fee!🚨

Institute for Housing and Urban Development Studies (IHS)

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.