Urban Development

Think Global, Act Urban

Despite all the problems associated with urban sprawl and city growth, Christopher Flavin of the environmental research group Worldwatch Institute says they hold the key to solving climate change in this audio report from Marketplace.

January 14, 2007 - Marketplace

Arkansas Developers Concerned Over Design Standards

Proposed design standards in Fayetteville, Arkansas, have developers concerned about rising costs and requirements. Many in the state's third most populous city fear the standards will hamper new development, especially smaller projects.

January 14, 2007 - The Morning News

Friday Funny: Albuquerque's New Castle

A local businesswoman is building her 8,000 square foot dream home, modeled after a European castle, in the midsts of the city's downtown.

January 12, 2007 - The Albuquerque Tribune

Homestead Preservation District Could Soften The Blow Of Gentrification

With its downtown booming, Austin, Texas is trying to help homeowners who are feeling the squeeze from rising property values -- by buying their land.

January 12, 2007 - The Austin Chronicle

Downtown L.A.'s Revitalization To Spread Southward

Redevelopment officials are looking at the southern frontier of downtown as the next potential neighborhood for revitalization and new transit-oriented development, but some locals are worried about the area's gentrification.

January 12, 2007 - The Los Angeles Times

Want Affordable Housing? Stop Overregulating Development

An editorial in the New York Sun scoffs at Mayor Bloomberg's desire to see more affordable housing built when the zoning code is as thick as a phone book and developers are nickel and dimed every step of the way.

January 12, 2007 - The New York Sun

Planning Report Interviews Ed Blakely About New Orleans Recovery

Noted L.A.-area scholar Ed Blakely helped Oakland and L.A. rebound from earthquakes; now he's turning to the resurrection of New Orleans. The Planinng Report features an interview.

January 11, 2007 - The Planning Report

Dublin Planner Has Big Plans For Irish Capital

City Planner Dick Gleeson has his sights set high for the city of Dublin, Ireland, proposing a remodeling of the city by 2016. His plans include everything from increased open space and bike paths to continued economic development to curb sprawl.

January 11, 2007 - Nate Berg

Atlanta's Core Builds 'Up' Instead Of 'Out'

A host of multi-million dollar intown mega-developments -- all mixed-use and pedestrian-oriented -- promise to remake Atlanta into a more walkable, urban city. However, the suburbs are in "no danger of emptying."

January 11, 2007 - The Wall Street Journal

Can Existing Buildings Be Renovated 'Green'?

While using green building practices has become popular in new construction, the same is not true for renovation projects.

January 11, 2007 - The New York Times

Undaunted Developer Pursues Air Rights Over Boston's Turnpike

In a third and perhaps final attempt, developer John Rosenthal submitted plans to locate 668 housing units, 57,000 square feet of retail, 1,200 parking spaces, and a redeveloped transit station in Boston's Kenmore Square neighborhood.

January 11, 2007 - The Boston Globe

Historic Streetcars : Urban Investment And A Smart Transit Choice

Historic streetcars are on a comeback in the USA. Cheaper than light rail, they also are an asset in encouraging reinvestment in older parts of downtowns as illustrated by Tampa's 2.5 mile line that connects neighborhoods.

January 11, 2007 - USA Today

Downtown Raleigh Debates Relaxing Parking Requirements

The city council is considering letting developers decide for themselves how many parking spaces to build, though many worry the change could harm downtown.

January 10, 2007 - The News & Observer

Cities Benefitting From Decking Highways With Parks

U.S. cities are increasingly utilizing below-grade freeway to cover with parkland. Some 20 highway-deck parks are already open, with more in the pipeline.

January 10, 2007 - Governing

Kingston Struggles To Prepare Itself For Cricket World Cup

In March, the Cricket World Cup will be held in nine Caribbean locations. Preparations are underway in Kingston, Jamaica, and though the pitches are almost ready for the world's best bowlers and batsmen, much of the city itself is in shambles.

January 10, 2007 - Jamaica Gleaner

Buenos Aires Trying To Keep Up With Growth

Argentina's capital has placed a moratorium on new construction due to failing infrastructure and concerns over the pace of neighborhood change.

January 9, 2007 - The Miami Herald

Ed Blakely's Ideas For New Orleans' Recovery

In his new job as the executive director for recovery management in New Orleans, Ed Blakely brings decades of experience and a few potentially controversial ideas.

January 9, 2007 - The Times Picayune

Philadelphia's Planning Chief Has Big Job Ahead

Janice Woodcock, the executive director of the city Planning Commission, is charged with the task of updating the historic city's archaic zoning code.

January 8, 2007 - The Philadelphia Inquirer

Planners Say 9th Ward Could Rise Again

Findings from a recent planning survey contradicts the plan to rebuild the community from scratch.

January 8, 2007 - Associated Press via Kansas City Star

Top Planning Issues Of 2006

From green building to the housing bubble, the editors of Planetizen review the most talked about stories of 2006.

January 8, 2007 - Planetizen Team

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.

Senior Manager Operations, Urban Planning

New York City School Construction Authority

Building Inspector

Village of Glen Ellyn

Manager of Model Development

Central Transportation Planning Staff/Boston Region MPO

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.