Community / Economic Development

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

Dakota Access protest

Thank Indigenous Activists for the Keystone XL Pipeline's Demise

President Biden's executive order may put the final nail in the coffin of the controversial pipeline project, but it was unwavering local activists who kept the pressure on for a decade.

February 3, 2021 - Atmos

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

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

Mrs. Ella Watson, a government charwoman, with three grandchildren and her adopted daughter

Repositioning Black Urbanists in the History of Planning

The history of planning is dominated by a few iconic figures—all white.

February 2, 2021 - Planning Magazine

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

Washington, D.C.

Planning Trends to Watch in 2021

The nation is now tasked with the challenge of changing course in the middle of multiple, global crises. The necessity of finding a way to overcome the failures of the past and lay the groundwork for a new kind of future has never been more clear.

January 31, 2021 - James Brasuell

Mediterranean food cart in Portland

Dallas City Council Will Consider Food Carts

As the pandemic leaves restaurants and food businesses struggling to make ends meet, the Dallas City Council will evaluate a proposal legalizing detached food carts.

January 28, 2021 - The Dallas Observer

Vancouver 2012

Vancouver Might Allow Non-Profit Housing to Skip Rezoning Application

Vancouver is considering eliminating a rezoning application, which could save non-profit developers up to two years in the city's approvals process.

January 28, 2021 - Daily Hive

Washington, D.C.

Biden Promises New Attention to Racial Inequality, Including Fair Housing

The Biden administration is announcing its intentions to overturn several controversial products of the Trump administration to weaken the the implementation of the Fair Housing Act of 1968 and the doctrine of disparate impact at its core.

January 28, 2021 - The White House

C.J. Peete Public Housing, New Orleans

Opinion: Public Housing Won't Solve the Affordability Crisis

Seeking repeal of the Faircloth Amendment could be a needless distraction in the new administration's efforts to create more affordable housing, according to an article by Jenny Schuetz for the Brookings Intitution.

January 27, 2021 - Brookings Institution

Savannah, Georgia

Warehouse Moratorium Sought in Suburban Georgia to Slow Road Damage

Traffic from the area's booming distribution centers is damaging local roads and causing concern among residents.

January 27, 2021 - The Atlanta Journal-Constitution

Coronado

Lawsuit Targets Granny Flat Law Compliance in California

A real estate group claims the city has been denying and delaying ADU permits in violation of city and state laws.

January 25, 2021 - San Diego Union-Tribune

Seattle Protected Bike Lane

Bike and Pedestrian Improvements Proposed for Seattle Light Rail Stations

Anticipating the opening of two new stations in 2024, the Seattle Department of Transportation released a study prioritizing bike infrastructure in the surrounding areas.

January 25, 2021 - Seattle Bike Blog

Sutter Street from above

San Francisco's Housing Crisis is Deepening, Despite Falling Rents

Despite the purported exodus of untethered Silicon Valley workers from the Bay Area, rents in the city are still the highest in the United States.

January 24, 2021 - The Guardian

BART Train

Change of Plans: Transit Funding Priorities Shift in the Silicon Valley

Santa Clara County cities rebel against the agency's proposed plan to spend most of the Measure B funds on a Silicon Valley BART extension.

January 22, 2021 - The Mercury News

Homeless Camp

HUD's New 'Find Shelter' Website Offers Support for Struggling Americans

The U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development launched the Find Shelter tool earlier in January.

January 21, 2021 - U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development

Subdivision

CNU Report Outlines Incremental Steps for More Walkable Suburbs

Transforming suburban sprawl is a massive undertaking, but these small steps can help communities understand their needs and assets and develop clear, actionable goals for the future.

January 21, 2021 - CNU

Champs-Elysees

'The World's Most Beautiful Avenue' Getting A Green Makeover

Paris Mayor Anne Hidalgo approved a new plan to revitalize the Champs Élysées ahead of the 2024 Summer Olympics.

January 21, 2021 - The Guardian

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.