Urban Development
Go Big To Go Green
New research suggests that the bigger a city is, the greener it can be.
Don't Say 'Density', Say 'Walkability'
The concept of increasing density has been given a negative connotation of causing crowdedness and eliminating privacy. This article argues that people will respond more favorably to plans that improve walkability.
The Best North American Neighborhoods
The Project for Public Spaces has released its list of the five best neighborhoods in North America.
Major Projects Could Make Big Changes In Portland
Two major projects -- the extension of a streetcar line and the construction of a hotel -- are under consideration in Portland, Oregon, but some local officials are hesitant to support what could dramatically change the character of the city.
Orange County Goes Urban, In A Suburban Sort Of Way
A 1,400-unit condo project in Irvine demonstrates Orange County's newfound urban qualities, as well as its reluctance to shake suburban design values, according to Bill Fulton, who recently visited the construction site.
Park Space Requirement Dismays Developers
Builders' groups and developers are upset over a proposal in Houston that would require them to include park space in any developments of 100 units or more. They say the requirement will stifle development.
British Pubs Endangered
A group of concerned, beer-drinking citizens is issuing a warning that more than 50 pubs are closing every month in England due to a planning loophole that makes it easy for owners to convert their bars into more profitable housing developments.
Condo Conversions Leaving Seniors Stranded
The wave of condo conversions in the Seattle area is hitting seniors especially hard.
Downtown L.A. Is Improving, But Developers Are Driving
With a surge in population and some large-scale retail and entertainment complexes in the works, downtown L.A. is in the midst of a major urban shift. But as this column from the Los Angeles Times argues, developers are shaping the growth.
Catch-22 Hinders Harbor Redevelopment Plans
Plans to redevelop a harbor are under consideration in Victoria, British Columbia, but would require the relocation of a busy ferry terminal -- one of the harbor's top services. The ferry's operators say the redevelopment would fail without them.
Tax Breaks Fueling Luxury Condo Development In Gulf
Investors are taking advantage of tax breaks offered for developing and buying property in hurricane-affected areas of the Gulf region, such as the hot condo market that has sprung up next to a college football stadium in Alabama.
Officials Vote No On 'Flawed' Incentive, Propose New System
Two Roanoke City Councilmembers explain why they voted against an $880,000 city grant to a local developer and propose a more objective approach to offering development incentives.
Commercial Construction Balances Growth
Despite busts in residential construction, American cities such as Phoenix are managing to continue growing due to an influx of commercial construction.
Transit Project Could Remake The Image Of San Francisco
The design competition for San Francisco's Transbay Terminal has the potential to redefine the city, writes John King.
From Flea Market To TOD
A flea market space located adjacent to a planned expansion of the Bay Area Rapid Transit system in San Jose, California, may be replaced with a mixed use transit village.
New Bridge In Venice Greeted With Criticism
A new pedestrian bridge has been added over the Grand Canal in Venice, despite objections from locals that the new modern-designed bridge is out of place.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
City of Rosemead
Rutgers University, Edward J. Bloustein School of Planning and Public Policy
One Hundred Miles
University of Michigan School for Environment and Sustainability (SEAS)
Hunter College, City University of New York (CUNY)
The Architects Foundation
City of Cambridge
Montrose County
The Pocatello Development Authority
