Urban Development

South Bay Area

Wealthy Bay Area Communities Fight Housing Targets

Some California cities and counties are appealing regional housing allocations, which could have a meaningful impact on how and where development occurs over the next decade.

August 16, 2021 - The Mercury News

View of Portland, Oregon from Pittock Mansion

The Long Road to Portland's Historic Residential Infill Project

How the journey of one zoning reform campaign can inform future efforts.

August 16, 2021 - Sightline

Gowanus Canal

Gowanus Racial Impact Study Predicts Increased Diversity After Rezoning

The report outlines the potential impacts on the neighborhood's racial diversity and the availability of below-market housing units.

August 16, 2021 - Urbanize New York

Maricopa County, Arizona

Why It's So Difficult to Measure Heat Deaths

Without a standard for recording and classifying heat-related deaths, experts believe the scale of the problem is much bigger than numbers let on.

August 15, 2021 - PBS

Manhattan Bus

NYC Expats Struggle With Their Decision to Leave

Strong place attachment makes it difficult for New Yorkers to settle into their new homes, but many are finding ways to recreate their favorite parts of the city elsewhere.

August 15, 2021 - New York Times

Las Vegas, Nevada

Cities in the South and West Keep Sprawling

New suburbs continue to expand into previously undeveloped areas, putting strain on local resources.

August 13, 2021 - The Washington Post

Philadelphia Bike Lane

How to Maximize the Local Impact of the American Rescue Plan

A new report provides advice and guidance on how cities, with Philadelphia as its example, can make the most of the historic funding opportunities made available by the American Rescue Plan approved by Congress earlier this year.

August 13, 2021 - The New Localism

Empty Parking Garage

One Pandemic Real Estate Bet: Condos for Cars

The possibility of many more urban dwellers driving than ever before, even in transit-rich locations like New York City, is still very real.

August 13, 2021 - Bloomberg

An image of stadium seats at Petco Park in San Diego, with new buildings under construction nearby in the background.

Former San Diego Mayor Leaves Pro-Development Politics Behind for Recall Race

While Mayor of San Diego, Republican Kevin Faulconer made a name for himself as a prominently YIMBY politician. He's abandoned those views now that he's running for Gov. Gavin Newsom's spot in the state's recall race.

August 12, 2021 - Voice of San Diego

Hells Kitchen Sidewalk New York City

Looking Beyond the 'Sidewalk Ballet:' Jane Jacobs in the 21st Century

While The Death and Life of Great American Cities remains an urban planning classic, today's planners must contend with challenges that Jacobs couldn't have anticipated.

August 12, 2021 - The Globe and Mail (Toronto)

Roanoke, Virginia

How Virginia Communities Are Encouraging 'Missing Middle Housing'

Local leaders hope that streamlining permit processes and eliminating restrictive zoning regulations will set the groundwork for increased production of small and mid-sized multi-family housing.

August 12, 2021 - The Virginia Mercury

The mangled remains of a residential tower after it collapsed in Florida.

Miami Herald: Collapsed Florida Residential Building Had Major Defects, Violated Code

The safety of Champlain Towers South was compromised to make more room for parking, according to an investigation by the Miami Herald in consultation with four engineers and a general contractor.

August 11, 2021 - Miami Herald

Coronavirus Streets

Video: The Athletic Feats Required to Navigate NYC

A video from Transportation Alternatives highlights the infrastructure failures that can make getting around the city an Olympian feat.

August 10, 2021 - StreetsBlog NYC

Northern California Wilidfires

Time Is Running Out to Limit the Damage of Climate Change, According to Historic UN Report

The role of humans in creating immense risks from extreme weather, drought, sea-level rise, and bio-diversity loss is "unequivocal," according to a landmark study by the International Panel on Climate Change (IPCC).

August 9, 2021 - James Brasuell

Highway Construction

More Details from the Massive Infrastructure Bill and its Amendments

The bill's more than 400 amendments include a VMT pilot, a Texas megahighway, and funding for accessibility at transit stations.

August 9, 2021 - Streetsblog USA

Illinois Freeway

Why Infrastructure Spending Should Center Equity

To begin to reverse decades of discrimination and disinvestment, future infrastructure spending must put equity at the forefront.

August 9, 2021 - Fast Company

Stanford

Opinion: Build Density in Palo Alto–and Lots of It

To keep up with demand and slow the astronomical rise in housing costs, Palo Alto and other Silicon Valley cities must overcome local opposition to density and high-rises.

August 9, 2021 - San Francisco Chronicle

Los Angeles Road

Road Design Still Privileges Cars

Author Jeff Speck discusses the progress made since he first wrote Walkable City–and how far we still have to go to build streets that are safe for all.

August 9, 2021 - Governing

I-94 Freeway in Minneapolis

Why a 'Marginally Useful' Minneapolis Freeway Segment Should Be Removed

Two ramps that have minimal impact on traffic could make way for apartments, commercial spaces, or much-needed parks.

August 8, 2021 - Minneapolis St Paul Magazine

New York

How Downtown Public Space Investments Impact Equity

Efforts to revitalize declining downtowns have, in some cases, become catalysts for supporting small, minority-owned, local businesses.

August 6, 2021 - Brookings Institution

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.