Land Use
New York's Queen Of Urban Planning
With her patrician manner and focused attention to the quality of buildings and public space, New York City Planning Commissioner Amanda Burden has become a controversial figure in the city's planning and development circles.
Sprawl's Economic Effect On Agriculture In South
As new developments consume agricultural lands in the fast-growing South, the cooperatives that cater to farmers feel the pinch. While some can 'retool' by selling pet food and lawn fertilizer, others must close as another casualty to sprawl.
Wetland Protections Worry Farmers In New Jersey
A master plan proposed to protect almost a million acres of wetlands in New Jersey is meeting opposition from area farmers who fear the plan's limitation on development and certain farming practices will render their land worthless.
Southern California's Laboratory For Smart Growth
With Southern California's strictest urban growth rules and a commitment to preserving open space and agriculture, Ventura County has become the region's hotbed of smart growth.
Downtown Raleigh Debates Relaxing Parking Requirements
The city council is considering letting developers decide for themselves how many parking spaces to build, though many worry the change could harm downtown.
Auto Emissions In Europe Increasing Along With Sprawl
In Europe, vehicular emissions are increasing while emissions from industry and the population growth rate decline. More people throughout the world are driving, especially in those countries where the "newly rich" enjoy their new mobility.
Will Sarasota Pass The Duany Test?
Six years ago Andres Duany helped craft a new 20 year masterplan for the City of Sarasota, Florida, which prides itself on being a city with a small town feel. This week he returns to gauge the city's progress.
The Rise of the Megapolitans
Megapolitans are regions that combine at least two, and often several, metropolitan areas. Researchers Robert E. Lang and Arthur C. Nelson developed the megapolitan concept in part to depict where the next 100 million Americans will live.
Parking Rage Boiling Over In San Francisco
Anger over parking difficulties in the city has spawned attacks between motorists and enforcement officers, and even led to the death of one resident.
Maryland's Governor Elect To Revive Smart Growth Policies
Governor-elect Martin O'Malley wants to redirect the state down the path of smart growth charted by former Governor Parris Glendening.
Philadelphia's Planning Chief Has Big Job Ahead
Janice Woodcock, the executive director of the city Planning Commission, is charged with the task of updating the historic city's archaic zoning code.
New Anti-Planning Blog Established
Infamous planning opponent Randal O'Toole has begun a new blog where he argues against virtually all forms of land use and other government planning.
A Call For Tougher Building Codes Along The Coast
Outgoing National Hurricane Center Director Max Mayfield urges adoption of tougher building codes and land use rules to avert "major disaster" in the southeast.
Katrina Lessons Forgotten?
As rebuilding continues in New Orleans, many homes are being built in the floodplain without raised foundations, leading many to believe that the tough lessons learned during Hurricane Katrina have already been forgotten.
Should Taxpayers Foot The Bill For Wildfires?
A debate over who should be responsible for the costs incurred by wildfires is raging between the Federal government and state and local officials.
Northern Virginia Counties Move To Slow Growth
Anti-growth sentiment has led to new building moratoriums in the suburbs around Washington D.C., but they only serve to drive up home prices and keep out middle income families.
Finding A Compromise On Property Rights Regulation
Though Washington State's property-rights initiative failed to pass in November, opponents and supports are trying to work together to address some of the concerns of land owners who feel the current regulations are too strict.
The Secretive Habits Of One City's Zoning Board
Voting sessions for the New Haven Board of Zoning Appeals are held at irregular times with little public notice, breeding accusations of an intentionally closed process.
Austin Hopes For Consensus Plan Around Downtown Redevelopment
With a flurry of residential and mixed-use development planned for the city's downtown, local officials hope to create a comprehensive vision that all stakeholders in the area can support.
Houston Needs Flexibility, Not Rules
Houston leaders need to be cautious that their 'plans' for the city don't stifle its greatest asset -- its economic opportunity and quality of life -- by introducing prescriptive land use zoning.
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
