Land Use
High Density Housing Element Overruled
A district appeals court ruling has invalidated the housing element of San Francisco's general plan, arguing that the environmental consequences of the plan's increased density were not considered.
A New Species of Mall Rat Evolving?
The second largest mall owner in the nation will redevelop over 200 of its properties into mixed-use centers.
Supreme Court's Endangered Species Ruling A Victory For Builders
The U.S. Supreme Court recently ruled that the federal Clean Water Act takes precedence over the Endangered Species Act when considering approval of development plans. The ruling is seen as a victory for developers.
New Prize Recognizes Jane Jacobs' Spirit
Having funded Jane Jacobs' groundbreaking research in the late 1950s, the Rockefeller Foundation has created a $100,000 prize in her name.
Planning For Rising Sea Levels
For the coastal California city of San Diego, the threat of global warming and rising sea levels is on the minds of many local officials and planners.
Worries Over UGB-Splitting Bill And The Onslaught Of Sprawl
A powerful home builders lobby in Oregon helped push a bill through the state legislature that some say threatens the urban growth boundary for the city of Eugene, and essentially opens the flood gates for sprawl in the area.
Conservation Easements On The Rise
With a favorable federal tax incentive, more and more people are donating land in the form of conservation easements -- agreements that set aside the land and prevent future development.
Bruegmann: Sprawl Is Natural And Is Part Of History
Once considered "sprawl" by Londoners, the city's row houses now form the essence of the city. Are attacks of sprawl in the US built on "an extremely shaky foundation of class-based aesthetic assumptions and misinformation?"
Army Looks To Expand Training Bases
Citing the need for larger battle spaces for military exercises, the U.S. Army has announced plans to acquire up to 5 million acres to expand its bases.
Shaping America's Cities: Part 3 - A Debate Over Mass Transit
Author Robert Bruegmann and activist Gloria Ohland continue their week-long debate on planning issues. Today's topic is mass transit and the automobile.
Shaping America's Cities: Part 2 - A Debate Over Smart Growth
Author Robert Bruegmann and activist Gloria Ohland debate Smart Growth.
Which Cities Will Be Abandoned by 2100?
A special Forbes series on the Future of Cities includes estimations about the types of communities and major cities may face extinction by 2100.
Shaping America's Cities: Part 1 - A Debate Over Sprawl
Author Robert Bruegmann and activist Gloria Ohland debate over urban sprawl.
Are The Cities Of The Future Destined To Be Mega-slums?
By 2030, an estimated 2 billion of the 5 billion people who will be living in cities will live in slums, primarily in Africa and Asia.
The Corruption Of Smart Growth
With many developers touting their various projects as "smart growth", the term is losing much of it meaning.
Ranch vs. McMansion
Wayne Senville is on a trip across the U.S. on Route 50. He reports on how Creve Coeur, Missouri, is a well-kept suburb west of the city of St. Louis, is handling the trend of ranch homes are being torn down and replaced with McMansions.
Oregon's Measure 37 Heading Back To The Ballot
In Oregon, the controversial land use law Measure 37 is on its way back to the ballot this November, as lawmakers look to limit the development rights granted by the measure in 2004.
A Walkable Downtown Los Angeles?
As part of a new set of guiding principles that call on city planners to 'demand a walkable city', Los Angeles may adopt new standards requiring developers to widen sidewalks, not streets.
TODs Prove To Be A Boon For Urban Regions
In this special report, the WSJ examines the growing popularity of rail-based TODs, examining their effect on land values as well as the challenges they may face in obtaining approval.
Book That Examines Suburban Lifestyle Inspires Life Changes
The book, "Death by Suburb: How to Keep the Suburbs from Killing Your Soul" is making the rounds among church congregations who find meaning in its message.
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
