Land Use

Suburbs Benefit From an Urban President, Too

In fact, says one planner, suburbs and exurbs can expect to see some of the biggest changes of all, at least from infrastructure and transportation funding.

December 22, 2008 - Marketwatch

Shrinking City Planning

Detroit's population is rapidly declining, but the answer to revitalizing the city may lie in part in urban farming.

December 22, 2008 - The Salt Lake Tribune

The City on Hiatus

Nick Paumgarten imagines a New York City landscape that would result from a present-day economic crisis.

December 21, 2008 - The New Yorker

Obesity and Sprawl Correlation Found in Australia

A new study from the University of New South Wales has outlined a connection that suggests living farther away from central cities results in higher rates of obesity.

December 21, 2008 - Sydney Morning Herald

Of Chickens and Cities

In Cleveland, the rise of urban agriculture has spurred new regulations intended to help farmers raise chickens or bees. Some fear, however, the newly created red tape makes it more difficult.

December 20, 2008 - The Cleveland Free Times

Cuba Serves As Model For Urban Farming

With urban farms sprinkled throughout the island, Cuba is proving to be one of the world's most successful models of how to integrate agriculture into urban areas.

December 20, 2008 - Reuters

Tucson Rejects Density Plan

There will be no infill development at Jefferson Park, near the University of Arizona, that increases density. The move contradicts the city's plan to achieve a more "urban feel."

December 19, 2008 - Tuscon Citizen

When Neighborhoods Improve, Social Safety Nets Unravel

Residents of one Las Vegas community fear being evicted as an urban renewal project goes underway. According to this article, projects like this often hurt neighborhoods by destroying the social ties they once contained.

December 18, 2008 - Las Vegas Sun

Locals Oppose Jewish Developments

Around already-overdeveloped parts of Los Angeles, large developments planned by Chabad and other Jewish organizations have been facing some strong local opposition.

December 18, 2008 - Los Angeles Times

An Architectural Beacon of Hope in Skid Row

On the edge of Los Angeles' Skid Row, a gleaming white arts complex opens. A "stubborn declaration of hope," the center is intended to show architecture's power to create community.

December 17, 2008 - Los Angeles Times

Better Streets Called a Top Reason to Love New York

New York Magazine's list of reasons to love New York includes a nod to the city's streets and their recent renovation into pedestrian- and bike-friendly thoroughfares.

December 17, 2008 - New York Magazine

Best Career for 2009? Urban and Regional Planner

U.S. News and World Report picks Urban Regional Planner as one of thirty careers 'that offer strong outlooks and high job satisfaction.' Architects, on the other hand, are 'overrated'.

December 16, 2008 - U.S. News And World Report

Ask What Baton Rouge Can Do for You

To retain its young and educated, Baton Rouge officials must identify what they want and follow through in giving it to them.

December 16, 2008 - Business Report

Protests Arise as Historic Chicago Park Eyed as Olympic Site

As part of its bid to host the 2016 Summer Olympics, the city of Chicago has proposed a slight change to the layout of its Olympic stadia. The only problem is that the newly proposed site for the aquatics center is listed on the National Register.

December 16, 2008 - Chicago Tribune

Blocked Church Expansion into Greenbelt Challenged

Church officials in Ventura County, California, are challenging a decision barring them from expanding into protected open space, arguing that federal law allows them exemptions from zoning controls.

December 15, 2008 - Ventura County Star

Streets, Reconquered

This piece from Worldchanging looks at recent efforts by cities to "reconquer" streets by making them (temporarily, at least) pedestrianized and closed off to car traffic.

December 15, 2008 - WorldChanging

Maryland Uses GIS To Track Open Space

The State of Maryland has created a new internet-based mapping system, which it hopes will help target conservation funds.

December 15, 2008 - GIS News

Duany Improves on Thomas Jefferson

Planner Andres Duany proposes a plan for Goodbee Square, near Covington, LA, that adds modern light-imprint urbanism to an old Jeffersonian idea.

December 13, 2008 - New Urban News

Is Houston Really Unplanned?

Stephen Smith at Market Urbanism looks at the truth behind the cliché, and finds that while Houston does not have Euclidean zoning, it does have more unconventional means of controlling land use beyond the invisible hand of the free market.

December 12, 2008 - Market Urbanism

From Edge-City to Real City

Its way of life no longer en vogue, the auto-centric suburb of Tysons Corner, VA plans to undergo a large-scale transformation into a walkable, "real" city over the course of the next 30 years.

December 11, 2008 - NPR

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.