Georgia

Mega Project in Suburban Atlanta Gets Final Public Financing Piece: Value Capture

School advocates don't like the idea of a tax allocation district for the redevelopment of the former GM plant in Doraville.

January 25, 2017 - Atlanta Journal-Constitution

Street Grid

Defining the Perfect Block Length for Walkability

Researchers at Harvard University have looked at multiple street grids around the country to identify what block size is the perfect length for walkability.

January 25, 2017 - The Harvard Gazette

Sunday's Deadly Tornadoes a Reminder of the Risks of Mobile Homes

The effects of tornadoes like those that touched down in South Georgia on Sunday are exacerbated in areas where many residents live in mobile homes.

January 24, 2017 - The Atlanta Journal-Constitution

Atlanta

A New Years' Resolution for Atlanta: Prioritize Preservation

A call to action for Atlanta: some of the city's treasured landmarks could disappear in 2017 if the city doesn't embrace a culture of preservation.

January 15, 2017 - SaportaReport

Green Line, Los Angeles

Review of November 2016 Transportation Ballot Measures

About 50 transportation measures appeared on local ballots on November 8, 2016. To date, Planetizen reviewed outcomes in nine regions in six states. Here we compare the measures in terms of revenue, taxes, projects, and reasons for failure.

January 12, 2017 - Planetizen

Gas Pump

New Year's Day State Gas Tax Increases, Decreases, and What Lies Ahead

Pennsylvania, the state that had the highest gas tax last year, saw the highest gas tax increase of 7.9 cents per gallon, the final increment of a 2013 law. Michigan's 7.3 cents tax increase, signed into law in 2015, is the second largest increase.

January 11, 2017 - Tax Justice Blog

Elderly Walking

Improving Cities for Older Residents

Demographic change means older city dwellers. Entrepreneurs and developers are searching for better ways to serve this community.

January 4, 2017 - The Guardian

Comprehensive Planning Can Be All Fun and Games

Planners in an Atlanta suburb are using games tailored to adults and children to inform a new comprehensive plan.

January 2, 2017 - The Atlanta Journal-Constitution

MARTA Trains

Georgia Looking to Consolidate Regional Transit Agencies

The carrot at the end of a possible re-organization of the state of Georgia's regional transportation agencies would come in the shape of state funding for transit.

December 30, 2016 - Atlanta Journal-Constitution

City Streets Signed Over to a Developer in Downtown Atlanta

In a move that will enable the $350 million redevelopment of Underground Atlanta, the city has agreed to hand over ownership and control of public streets to the developer.

December 24, 2016 - Creative Loafing

Atlanta

Atlanta Hopes to Help Some Neighborhoods Stay 'Displacement-Free'

A motion in City Council would open the door to new protections for gentrifying areas.

December 12, 2016 - Atlanta Daily World

Garbage Truck

Atlanta Adopts Waste-Collection App to Improve Service

The city's public works department hopes the app will improve efficiency, sustainability, and customer service.

December 10, 2016 - Forbes

Athens, Georgia, Broad Street

Athens, Georgia: Where Broad Street Is Too Broad

Athens, Georgia has come to the conclusion that the city's Broad Street may just be a tad too broad. Now what to do about it?

December 5, 2016 - Flagpole

Permeable Pavement

Atlanta Installs Permeable Pavement in Flood-Prone Neighborhoods

These Atlanta neighborhoods stand to gain in the long term from the city's new permeable pavement system and water retention park. But the project has displaced some residents.

December 4, 2016 - Next City

Pullman Yards Atlanta

Disused Atlanta Industrial Site Slated for Historic Status

Currently owned by the state of Georgia, Atlanta's Pullman Yard may get a lot harder (but not impossible) to redevelop. Atlanta's Urban Design Commission is considering a proposal to grant protected status to the property.

December 1, 2016 - Saporta Report

Atlanta streetcar

Election Outcomes Put Atlanta Metro Region on Two Different Transportation Paths

Three sales tax measures in Fulton County all won on Nov. 8. Two city ballot measures sets a course for investment in public transit and active transportation for Atlanta, while Fulton County will invest in road projects to reduce traffic congestion.

November 28, 2016 - The Atlanta Journal-Constitution

Times Square

Is a 'Bright Lights District' a Good Fit for Atlanta?

Brightly lit pedestrian and commercial districts like Times Square and Shibuya Crossing in Tokyo are some of the most famous urban environments in the world. But that doesn’t mean they work in every city.

November 24, 2016 - CityLab

E-470 Toll

Colorado to Launch Road Usage Charge Pilot Next Month

Colorado residents are now being recruited to participate in a four-month program to evaluate how motorists react to being charged by the mile driven rather than gallon of fuel burned. Sagging fuel tax revenues are the impetus for the pilot program.

November 19, 2016 - The Denver Post

The $40 Million, Voter-Approved Park Bond That Never Happened

Voters in Cobb County, Georgia, overwhelmingly prioritized parks and green space back in 2008. Cobb County commissioners', however, are still acting to quell those intentions.

November 11, 2016 - The Atlanta Journal-Constitution

Atlanta

Atlanta Has a New Parking Regime

Sometimes the day-to-day operations of the most fundamental of citywide responsibilities comes down to the details of a contract.

November 9, 2016 - Atlanta Business Chronicle

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.

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.