Urban Development

Portland Houses

Biden Administration Recognizes the Legacy of Housing Discrimination

In a memorandum, the President acknowledged the federal government's role in patterns of segregation and disinvestment that continue to affect communities of color across the country.

February 10, 2021 - Urban Institute

NFL Stadiums

Stadiums, Space, and the City

Stadium footprints are enormous. It's time to get smarter about how they are used.

February 9, 2021 - Richard Dion

Portland, Maine

Opinion: It's the Perfect Time for More Trains in Maine

A more concerted effort could bring together the state's recent plans and federal infrastructure investment to link the region and reduce greenhouse gas emissions.

February 9, 2021 - Press Herald

Virginia

A Regional Vision for Virginia, Maryland, D.C. Rail

Expanding rail service to more communities in Maryland and D.C. could enhance the benefits of Virginia's recent investments in intercity rail.

February 9, 2021 - The Virginia Mercury

Donner Lofts Affordable Housing, San Jose, California

Private Sector Coalition Urges California to Invest in Affordable Housing

A new plan calls for increased funding for housing and supportive services to relieve the state's housing crisis and end homelessness.

February 8, 2021 - The Mercury News

Freeway park over I-5

I-5 Study Shows Benefits of Capping Urban Freeways

Putting a lid on the interstate through downtown Seattle could create new space for parks and housing, reduce pollution, and reconnect the disrupted street grid.

February 8, 2021 - The Urbanist

Sixth Street, Austin

Austin Reallocates Police Funding to Homeless Housing and Services

The city is using the redistributed money to purchase hotels for permanent housing and provide supportive services.

February 8, 2021 - Curbed

Bike Lane

A Year of Cycling Deaths on American Roads

Arterial roads and poorly designed intersections pose significant threats to cyclist and pedestrian safety.

February 8, 2021 - Outside Online

Denver

Double-Digit Housing Price Increases Tied to Supply Imbalance in Denver

Expensive homes dominated the metro Denver real estate market in 2020.

February 7, 2021 - The Denver Post

Park(ing) Day

The Pandemic Revealed Public Space as 'Essential Infrastructure'

COVID-19 restrictions have highlighted the importance of abundant, multi-use open spaces accessible to all.

February 5, 2021 - San Francisco Chronicle

BLM Plaza, Washington, D.C.

Pop Quiz: What Kind of Post-2020 City-Maker Are You?

The State of Place blog is offering a pop quiz designed to help you diagnose the kind of post-2020 city-maker you are.

February 5, 2021 - State of Place

Washington State Capital

Housing and Land Use on Washington's Legislative Agenda

The Washington State legislature will consider a number of bills this session that would alter planning and development in a state grappling with population growth and rising housing costs.

February 4, 2021 - The Urbanist

New York City Homelessness

'The Great Real Estate Reset'

Business as usual in the real estate industry is failing the economy and the political and social cohesion of the United States, according to a new initiative launched by the Brookings Institution.

February 3, 2021 - Brookings

PCH Santa Monica

Some Santa Monica City Councilmembers Unhappy With Housing Element Update

Local leaders are challenging state-mandated affordable housing requirements for the 2021-2029 cycle.

February 3, 2021 - Santa Monica Daily Press

https://picryl.com/media/strawberry-mansion-philadelphia-philadelphia-county-pa

Philadelphia Neighborhoods Leverage Zoning Overlays for Local Control

Overlay districts provide a tool for guiding the future of development and environmental controls at the neighborhood level.

February 3, 2021 - WHYY

Amazon Fulfillment Center

New Amazon HQ2 Renderings Reveal a Futuristic Look for Northern Virginia

Renderings for the second phase of Amazon's second headquarters in Northern Virginia grabbed a lot of attention today.

February 2, 2021 - The Washington Post

Social distancing in a Trader Joe's line in Cambridgeport, Cambridge, Massachusetts March 21, 2020

Opinion: How Trader Joe's Nailed its Pandemic Response

Cities could learn from the grocery store chain's successful navigation of the uncertainty of the COVID-19 pandemic.

February 2, 2021 - Rice Kinder Institute for Urban Research

Construction on the Georgia 400 / 285 Interchange

Sandy Springs Spending $5 Million on Bike and Pedestrian Improvements

The Atlanta suburb is taking advantage of a state project on SR-400 to add bike and pedestrian infrastructure to three area bridges.

February 1, 2021 - The Atlanta Journal-Constitution

Bollards

Opinion: 'Performative' Pedestrian Improvements Need Deeper Scrutiny

Minor pedestrian-oriented improvements alone won't improve walkability if infrastructure still prioritizes fast-moving vehicles, according to this article.

February 1, 2021 - City Observatory

Maryland School

The Impacts of Zoning Laws in Montgomery County

Historic zoning decisions have left a lasting legacy of housing inequality. Current leaders have the opportunity to change that.

February 1, 2021 - Greater Greater Washington

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.