Land Use
When Pieces of National Parks Go on Sale, U.S. Can't Pay
Funding shortages are leaving officials at the national parks with little or no power to acquire new lands, enabling private interests to buy up sensitive lands before they can be protected federally.
Beltline Needs A Guiding Vision
Plans are moving forward for Atlanta's broad Beltline project, including parkspace, mixed use development and transit. But this piece from the Atlanta Journal-Constitution argues that a grand vision is needed to harness the momentum.
Feds Pressure Baltimore For Drug Center Rezoning
For the third time, the city of Baltimore is considering a zone change that would allow live-in drug centers to be located in residential areas. Residents are opposed, but the Department of Justice has threatened to sue unless changes are made.
L.A.'s Public Squares Leave Much To Be Desired
This piece from the Los Angeles Times Magazine looks at the recent trend of including public squares in high-profile L.A. projects, and examines why they don't really work in the traditional sense.
Subdivision Tests Limits of Measure 49
A land subdivision in Oregon approved under the state's Measure 37 is going forward, despite the fact that it should have been significantly scaled back after the passage of Measure 49 in November. Many view this case as a test of what 49 will allow.
Urban Innovators on List of Planet Heroes
The Guardian has released a list of the "50 people who could save the planet," including some urban innovators who are changing the way the world thinks about cities.
Sub-Prime Crisis + Expensive Gas = End Of Sprawl?
This op-ed by Eduardo Peñalver, a Cornell professor of property and land-use law, suggests that escalating gas prices and declining home prices may drive development inward, presenting a great opportunity to end sprawl using regional planning.
Who You Callin' Walkable?
Seattle was recently named as one of the most walkable cities in the country, but one local disagrees.
The Health Risks of Suburbia
Suburban and sprawling neighborhoods have been connected with disease and obesity in a new report.
Australian High-Rise Projects Prompts Protests
A $1.7 billion high-rise development proposal that would jut out into the Brisbane River has prompted the protests of many planners and architects in Brisbane, Australia.
From Strip Mall to TOD
In suburban Salt Lake City, Utah, plans are underway to replace an old strip mall with a mixed use, transit oriented development.
Waterfront Redesign Should Be Model For Rest of City
The team chosen to redesign Toronto's waterfront has plans for updating the area with a better balance of car and foot traffic. Architecture critic Christopher Hume looks at the plans as a model of development the rest of the city should follow.
One-Man Roadblock to Atlanta's Beltline Project
The expansive Beltline transit and parkspace development planned for Atlanta is being hindered by one man's lawsuits over the legality of the funding used to build it.
No Zoning, But Many Restrictions
Houston may lack zoning restrictions, but the city has taken a number of steps over the course of the year to limit the extent and flavor of development.
The Life And Death Of The Shopping Mall
Once thriving, America's indoor shopping malls are on the decline, and many predict their death may finally come within the next few years.
Plans to Elevate Honolulu's Proposed Light Rail Meet Opposition
The American Institute of Architects has come out against plans to include elevated tracks as part of the layout of Honolulu's proposed light rail system.
'Superferry' Takes Off, But Controversy Persists
The 866-passenger Hawaiian Superferry has begun operations despite months of controversy over its environmental consequences. With an environmental impact statement due in 18 months and plenty of opponents, the Superferry is not yet in the clear.
The German Urban Planning Workhorse
One German planner's influence has been seen in projects across the world. Now he's refocusing his eyes on his home country.
Is New Urbanism The Way To A Green Future?
This article from Time discusses the burden development places on the environment and how New Urbanism seeks to mitigate this burden.
The Path To Preserving L.A.'s Industrial Lands
Preserving industrial land in Downtown L.A. is the focus of a broad city report to be released in January. The city recommends classifying specific areas into four land use categories to guide development in the area increasingly sought by investors.
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
