Urban Development

Congress Seeking Solutions To Big Rig Parking Shortage

As the economy improves, more trucks are using the nation’s highways for long distance travel – and they need parking spots if the trip takes more than 11 hours. They often idle all night wherever they can find a spot – including the road shoulder.

May 6, 2007 - The Wall Street Journal

Exploring Shared Equity Homeownership

Several new reports offer an analysis of shared equity strategies as an approach to reduce the cost of homeownership.

May 4, 2007 - Center for Housing Policy

New Orleans Plan Calls For Smart Growth

The culmination of a major statewide planning effort -- the new long-term plan calls for communities to build compact neighborhoods and coordinate regional development.

May 4, 2007 - The Times-Picayune

Controversy Over El Paso's Downtown Redevelopment Plan

The city's 'segundo barrio' -- a historic Mexican-American neighborhood -- is the focus of a major redevelopment effort that opponents say is trying to 'white wash' the community.

May 4, 2007 - The Texas Observer

Winnipeg's Desire for Density

The City of Winnipeg is trying to create incentives for downtown housing development in an attempt to increase the population density of its urban core.

May 3, 2007 - Downtown Winnipeg Biz

LDMRs and 'Air Condos' in Puget Sound

Snohomish County, Wash., officials are tussling with local city governments and fire-department officials over regulation of so-called "air condo" developments sprouting in the county's unincorporated areas.

May 3, 2007 - The Seattle Times

L.A.'s Mayor On Solving The City's Congestion

In this interview, Los Angeles Mayor Antonio Villaraigosa talks about how to tackle the city's congestion and housing issues.

May 3, 2007 - U.S. News & World Report

Density Bonus May Be Key To Housing Aging Boomers

San Francisco's density bonus is being used by for-profit developers marketing condos designated for seniors -- albeit for a price.

May 3, 2007 - The San Francisco Chronicle

With Land Disappearing In D.C., Some Say Build Up

Available land in Washington D.C. is expected to diminish sharply within the next 20 years, prompting some to suggest that increasing building heights and densities should become the new development paradigm.

May 2, 2007 - The Washington Post

Builders, Environmentalists, Housing Advocates Unite To Protect Transfer Fees

In a truly unusual array of political forces, developers have joined with environmentalists and housing advocates to oppose a bill sponsored by realtors that would eliminate the use of transfer fees to finance open space and affordable housing.

May 1, 2007 - Capitol Weekly

'Poor, But Sexy' European City Sees Real Estate Boom

Investors are flocking to Berlin gambling that the city's economy will catch up with its image.

May 1, 2007 - The Los Angeles Times

Controversy Erupts Over Staten Island Comprehensive Plan Idea

According to the new study by the Center for an Urban Future, Staten Island needs its own comprehensive plan. But the Deputy NYC Mayor for Economic Development and Rebuilding disagrees.

May 1, 2007 - The New York Times

Florida's Largest Land Holder Makes Plans For The Panhandle

NPR profiles a development company that is Florida's largest landowner, and looks at its New Urbanism-tinged plans for developing more than 800,000 acres in the rapidly growing Florida Panhandle.

May 1, 2007 - NPR

County Officials Want 'Smart' Plan To Handle Growth

A sparsely-populated rural county in South Carolina is expecting the development of more than 40,000 homes over the next couple of years, which will more than double the population. County officials are looking to create a smat growth plan.

April 29, 2007 - The New York Times

L.A. Develops A New Tool To Grow Taller, Denser

L.A.'s sprawl is not so much a matter of choice as of policy, with even its downtown artificially limited to a 6:1 FAR. But as the city clamors for greater density, a clever plan to transfer air rights is in the works.

April 29, 2007 - The Planning Report

Preservation And Planning Roadblocks For Developers In Historic Cities

Creating new developments in historic European cities is a struggle for developers, who often endure long waits for planning approval and strong opposition from preservationists.

April 28, 2007 - International Herald Tribune

Assembling Land Without Eminent Domain

A new approach to land assembly gives property owners a stake in redevelopment, and offers a alternative to the use eminent domain.

April 28, 2007 - Lincoln Institute of Land Policy

Will Miami Become The Next Great Walkable City?

Through the use of a city-wide form-based code, the City of Miami and Duany Plater-Zyberk and Company are teaming up to create a more walkable, transit-oriented city.

April 27, 2007 - The Miami Hurricane

New Urbanism Arrives In The Prairie

In this editorial the O'Fallon Journal praises Dardenne Prairie, a growing suburb of St. Louis, for trying to create a downtown and a real "sense of place" in a community that does not have one.

April 27, 2007 - O'Fallon Journal

2010 Is Right Around The Corner For World Cup Host

South Africa has been tapped to host the 2010 World Cup, and though th event is three years away, preparations are already underway -- and progressing at a strenuous pace to try to stay on schedule.

April 26, 2007 - The New York Times

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.