Land Use
Top-Down Greening In The Urban Core
Can cities get back in touch with nature? Planners, developers, architects, and policy makers convened in Los Angeles June 7 to face the challenge and develop a plan of action to help bring life onto the rooftops of L.A.'s downtown.
Minnesota Suburb Divided Over New Urban Plan
A suburban town just west of Minneapolis is debating a plan to bring a bit of New Urbanism into a proposed housing development that would otherwise just be houses. The planned mixed use development has enticed some residents and worried others.
Hot L.A. Nights Caused By Urban Heat Island Effect
Climatologists blame the urban 'heat island' effect for a rise in Southern California's average evening temperatures, which have hit record highs in recent days.
When Town Officials Are Bribed To Approve Spawl
Large home builders are increasingly able and willing to bribe local governments to approve new greenfield developments.
Evicting Homeless For L.A. River Revitalization
For years, drifters and homeless people have been living on some of the small islands of earth that remain in the paved-over Los Angeles River. While they are not a high priority for police, the river revitalization movement wants them gone.
Front Porches Regaining Popularity
The number of new homes with porches increased has nationwide over the past 10 years.
Welcome to the 'Urban Century'
To coincide with the World Urban Forum, the Ottawa Citizen devotes most of their Sunday, June 18th newspaper to covering a host of urban issues, including slums, urban gardening, and the case for and against cities [links to 9 articles].
Baltimore Headed For A Housing Shortfall
The slow reaction to job growth in many Maryland counties jobs may lead to a critical housing shortage.
Some Residents Lament As Developers Reign In L.A.
Los Angeles faces projections of a population increase of up to 5 million people by 2030. The city's residents and planners are trying to come to terms with growth as a necessity, but the city's developer-friendly attitude has angered many residents.
Duany In Edinburgh
While working on plans for a new town in Inverness, Scotland, famed architect and town planner Andres Duany has assured critics and supporters alike that whatever is planned for Moray Estates will not resemble Seaside.
Dallas' Comprehensive Plan Victory
A tough critic begrudgingly congratulates the Dallas City Council for its courage in approving the city's new comprehensive plan, part of a two-year effort aided by Fregonese Calthorpe Associates.
The Greening Of Wal-Mart
A recent environmental strategy meeting at Wal-Mart headquarters was attended by a host of eco-celebrities, including Al Gore, and serves as another signal that the company is serious about improving its green credentials.
Transit Village Approved Despite School Board Opposition
Sheridan Stationside Village, a $500 million, 40-acre project with a train station as a central component, gained preliminary approval in Hollywood, Florida, despite opposition from the County's school board and nearby residents.
Trees Over Houses: A Critique Of Smart Growth
Citing high housing prices in cities with strong growth control policies, one author argues that the smart growth movement seems to place more value on open space than people and their preferred housing choices.
New Urbanist Plan Approved In Rural Florida Despite Opposition By Planners and Public
Pelham Square, a 200 home development proposed by creators of Celebration, faced opposition by County planners and residents due to its rural location and density.
Minnesota Cities Say No To Cul-De-Sacs
Cul-de-sacs remain popular with homebuyers (and therefore developers), but some American cities are taking steps to limit or even prohibit their use.
Illinois' New Smart Growth Tax Breaks
The state will provide financial incentives to businesses who locate near transit and affordable housing.
New Rail Line Will Link New England Cities With Airport
The planned $222.5 million transit hub will seamlessly link T.F. Green Airport with Providence and Boston by 2009.
Smart Growth Illustrated
The United States Environmental Protection Agency publishes visual case studies of 10 smart growth principles as they have been used in 20 communities around the country.
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
