Urban Development

Mexico City Skyscraper Plans Fuel Debate

In Mexico City, controversial plans to develop what would be the tallest skyscraper in Latin America have opponents calling the project illegal. But the developers have a big-name architect and high-powered politicians behind them.

September 24, 2007 - The New York Times

Downtown St. Louis City to Get New Corporate Tower

Centene Corporation will build its new corporate headquarters at mixed-use Ballpark Village development in Downtown St. Louis City instead of Downtown Clayton, a suburb and the region's 'second downtown'

September 23, 2007 - St. Louis Post-Dispatch

Portlanders Want A Future That's Similar, But Better

A report on Portland, Oregon, residents' visions for the future of their city has been released. The people say they want the future of their city to be pretty much the same as its present, just slightly better.

September 22, 2007 - The Oregonian

Competition Brews As Cities Seek To Claim Unused BLM Land

As Boise looks to a future of growth and expansion, it is hoping to acquire nearly 2,000 acres of unused federal land from the Bureau of Land Management. But a neighboring suburb also wants to claim the land.

September 22, 2007 - The Idaho Statesman

'Portland Effect' Can Help Nation's Congestion Capital

What Los Angeles can learn about addressing congestion from Portland, OR.

September 21, 2007 - The Los Angeles Times

Candidate Says Planning Should Be Top Priority In Philadelphia

A Philadelphia mayoral candidate says the first step to fixing the city under his administration would be a revamping and revival of the city's planning system.

September 21, 2007 - The Philadelphia Inquirer

Sky-High Transbay Terminal Design Selected

A team has been selected to build the new Transbay Terminal in San Francisco, which may result in the construction of an office tower of more than 1,200 feet.

September 20, 2007 - The San Francisco Chronicle

To Halt Climate Change, Planners Need To Help People Drive Less

New vehicle technology won't prevent global warming unless urban sprawl is curbed, argues a new book to be published by the Urban Land Institute.

September 20, 2007 - Smart Growth America

The Sustainable Future Of Coney Island

New York has been looking for ways to rejuvenate the area surrounding its historic Coney Island boardwalk themepark. This article from the Gotham Gazette says the city should use the opportunity to create a model for sustainable development.

September 20, 2007 - The Gotham Gazette

Should Hong Kong And Shenzhen Merge?

Government planners in China are proposing a megacity merger between Hong Kong and neighboring Shenzhen to create a metropolis of more than 20 million people, but some fear the metropolis would be too big.

September 19, 2007 - BBC

One Week Lost To Traffic Nationally, Two In L.A., O.C.

Los Angeles and Orange counties are once again home to the longest amounts of time drivers waste in traffic congestion, at 72 hours per year. Nationally, the average amount of time lost to traffic congestion is 38 hours -- nearly a full week's work.

September 18, 2007 - The Los Angeles Times

Albuquerque Set To Join The Millionaire's Club

Rapid development is expected to bring the population of Albuquerque, New Mexico, over the 1 million mark within 15 years.

September 18, 2007 - The Albuquerque Tribune

Progress Slow For San Diego's 'City of Villages' Plan

The city's lauded framework plan for implementing smart growth practices has failed to deliver on its promises, say some residents and experts.

September 18, 2007 - Voice of San Diego

New Jersey's Transit Should Be An Example For Connecticut To Follow

Connecticut could learn a lesson from neighboring New Jersey about how to improve its transit infrastructure.

September 18, 2007 - The Hartford Courant

Fears Of Terrorism Haven't Stopped Skyscrapers

Six years after 9/11, skyscrapers continue to be planned for dozens of American cities.

September 18, 2007 - The San Diego Union-Tribune

D.C. Mayor's Public-Private Partnership Criticized

A plan by city officials to trade public land to a developer in exchange for a new firehouse and library is under fire from residents and activists who believe the deal shortchanges the city.

September 17, 2007 - Christian Madera

Density Isn't New For Los Angeles

Forgotten in the ongoing debate about new high-density development is the city's long history of multi-family and mixed-use housing.

September 17, 2007 - The Los Angeles Times

Property Taxes Skyrocket Along Atlanta's Proposed Beltline Corridor

Property taxes along Atlanta's proposed Beltline -- a 22-mile loop of park and trails ringing downtown -- are rising sharply, threatening to displace the poor that live in adjacent areas.

September 17, 2007 - The Atlanta Journal-Constitution

Buffalo - Where Progress May Be Marked More By Demolition Than Construction

Buffalo is grappling with a blight of abandoned homes - which are directly correlated to crime rates in neighborhoods. It shares much in common with other cities well past their heyday, such as St. Louis, Detroit, and Youngstown.

September 17, 2007 - The New York Times

Step One: Kill The Architects

This illustrated list outlines the 10 simple steps to designing the city of the future.

September 17, 2007 - The New York Times

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.

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.