Land Use
The Spread of Ciclovia
Temporary street closures for pedestrian use -- an idea that spawned in Bogota, Colombia -- are occurring in cities all over the world. The trend is expected to continue.
We Are Where We Live
Jeff Speck, author of Suburban Nation, spoke recently at a conference in Winnepeg. 'Just as we have come to recognize that 'we are what we eat', there is a growing belief that 'we are where we live,' says Speck.
A New Neighborhood From Scratch in the Netherlands
A new district rises on the decommissioned Ypenburg Nato airfield in the Netherlands. Master planners Rapp & Rapp worked with other architects and developers to create a cohesive whole with slight variations, a “conditioning of difference."
1908 City Beautiful Plan Still Relevant
Planners are celebrating Columbus's century-old comprehensive plan, and continuing to consult the plan for guidance.
Best Towns in the U.S.
Outside Magazine looks at the best cities and towns for working, living and playing, with a focus on places that have experienced a renewal.
Rare Show Of Unity on Growth Legislation in CA
An unusual coalition of environmentalists, builders,and city leaders announced their support for a controversial land use and transportation bill that aims to involve the CA Air Resources Board in setting reduction targets.
Can Colorado Cope with Growth?
With the prospect of million more residents by 2015, Colorado will need to be creative to address the infrastructure and environmental consequences of growth.
Smart Growth or Smart Food?
"Locavores" hoping to promote more sustainable agriculture through urban gardening are facing a new hurdle: infill housing projects.
Zoning Questions Follow Fire, Explosions at Toronto Propane Yard
A massive explosion at a propane dealer in Toronto is leading to questions as to how such a facility could ever have been located so close to a residential area.
Three Cheers for the Automobile
Former Congressman Ernest Istook discusses why the automobile is the ultimate manifestation of freedom, mobility, and personal choice, and argues for a re-allocation of public spending away from mass transit and other alternatives.
Car-Free Days Planned for New York
New York Mayor Michael Bloomberg has announced plans for car-free days on a nearly 7-mile section of road in Manhattan.
The Death and Life of American Malls
This piece from WorldChanging looks at the trend of dying indoor malls, and some creative ideas for reviving or reusing them.
Beijing's Olympic Lessons for Chicago
Olympics-related construction in Beijing has impressed many, but does little to make the city a better place. Architecture critic Blair Kamin says Chicago needs to be careful about not repeating China's mistakes if it hosts the games in 2016.
Commute Costs Changes Growth Patterns in D.C.
Suburban growth in the DC area has been fueled by low gas prices and abundant freeways. Expensive gas has changed this growth paradigm as commuters shift to public transit and seek close-in homes. Will government respond to the change in the market?
Parking Ban Becomes Filming Ban in New York's Chinatown
New York's Chinatown is a popular place for filming, which brings a lot of film crews to the neighborhood. A temporary film crew parking ban has been put in place, but the results are mixed.
Public Space, Brought To You By Budweiser
A Montreal business group sold sponsorship rights to Budweiser for an outdoor event on a closed street, but restauranteurs setting up outside think the deal goes too far as they are forced to sell the watery beer to their patrons.
Placemaking is Alive and Well in Denver
Simmons Buntin tours metropolitan Denver with local planner Carolyn Dooling and finds a host of vibrant developments.
The City-Suburb Commute is Not What it Used to Be
Wendell Cox looks at commuting patterns, and finds that the old supposition that most commuters are going from suburban housing to urban jobs no longer holds water.
Maine Planners Come Around to Transit and Density
Southern Maine planners, who have long subscribed to the idea that they worked in rural, car-dependent communities, are beginning to embrace density, mixed-uses, and transit.
Cities Forge Ahead With Transit, But Atlanta Lags Behind
Neal Peirce sums up the movement across the country in cities like Houston, Denver, and Charlotte towards improved transit systems, while latecomer Atlanta wakes up to their transit deficit.
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.
EMC Planning Group, Inc.
Planetizen
Planetizen
Mpact (formerly Rail~Volution)
Great Falls Development Authority, Inc.
HUDs Office of Policy Development and Research
NYU Wagner Graduate School of Public Service
