Land Use
Eco-Cities: Today's Garden Cities
England's plans to build 3 million new homes by 2020, and much emphasis has been placed on making them environmentally friendly. The push for "eco-town" draw a strong parallel to the "Garden Cities" of the past.
Urban Trends Erasing Rural Past
Rural communities in Ottawa are being wiped out as urban trends take over the minds of developers and consumers. Rural residents are looking at ways to preserve the character of their communities.
California's Growth Debate Continues Amidst Housing Slowdown
Sacramento Bee's political columnist Dan Walters discusses the California growth debate amidst the temporary development lull and questions whether the state is ready to embrace smart growth, despite recognizing that it reduces global warming.
Residents Sue Over State Density Bonus Law
Upset about the effect of California State Bill 1818's override of local zoning restrictions, a Los Angeles resident has sued the city to overturn its density bonus ordinance. Others may soon follow.
Missed Opportunity at D.C. Retail Development
In a part of D.C. that has been largely ignored as the rest of the city reinvents itself with mixed-use development and pedestrian friendly design, one new single-use retail development stands out as an example of what not to build.
A Call For Smart Growth-Based New Towns
It's politics, not planning, that drives up housing costs. Rather than back away from regulations, more professional planning is needed to create healthy and affordable communities.
The New Street Thinking
Though congestion pricing was shot down, New Yorkers are thinking about new ways to experience and use their streets.
An Ambitious Plan For New Orleans' Riverfront
The city wants to remove unused warehouses and port-facilities and open up several miles of its riverfront for public enjoyment.
The Reality Of Infill
While planners generally sell plans with "integrated infill" and "elegant density" that pairs new development with public amenities, the reality of what gets built in neighborhoods isn't always what's promised.
Cities Need To Be Built For People, Not Cars
With observations from six world cities on four continents, the new book "Endless City" calls for development that supports people and the environment, rather than automobiles.
Livin' La Vida Localism
In this article from Metropolis, dystopian author and urban critic James Howard Kunstler riffs on localism.
Looking at Houston from Vancouver
A Canadian's perspective on the "planner-free" city of Houston, America's fourth most populous city.
Park And Play
Parking structures topped off with synthetic fields offer a practical solution for areas where parking and recreation space is in short supply.
A Look at L.A.'s Density Bonus
This segment from Which Way, L.A.? discusses Los Angeles Mayor Antonio Villaraigosa's density bonus plans.
Reclaiming an 'Urban Wilderness' in Brooklyn
This article from Orion looks at an "urban wilderness" in Brooklyn that is being reclaimed and reused by locals.
Sprawl Not an Option for Rural Chicago Suburb
Th small town of Golf, Illinois, is likely to stay that way because of barriers at its borders. Its residents couldn't be happier.
Border Fencing Plan Dodges Environmental Rules
Federal and state environmental guidelines have been waived by the Federal government to fast-track construction of nearly 700 miles of fencing along the U.S. Mexico Border.
The Fiscal Power of Public Art
The upcoming public art project by artist Olafur Eliasson that will place free-standing waterfalls in the waters around New York City highlights the power public art has to generate economic development and revenue for cities.
Hurdles and Speedbumps Slow New Orleans Recovery
One year after the city announced its broad redevelopment plans, many are unhappy with the rate of recovery in New Orleans.
Pittsburgh Wrestling With New LED Billboards
A six-month moratorium on new billboards has been passed by the Pittsburgh City Council as it struggles to formulate a policy for brightly lit LED signs.
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
