Land Use
A Scathing Rebuke For LA's Building Department?
The Los Angeles City Controller issues a 235-page audit of the city's Department of Building and Safety. While the report appears to be highly critical, a close reading indicates most problems result from chronic understaffing.
Coverage Of Rob Lowe's Mega Mansion Leads To Newspaper Implosion
The wealthy, reclusive owner of the Santa Barbara News-Press rebukes editors for coverage of an article about actor Rob Lowe's petition to build a mega-mansion. It's the latest in a series of problems that leads to an 'editorial bloodbath'.
From Once Rural Towns To New Outer Suburbs
Maryland's eastern shore is trying to cope with new growth spreading out from Washington and Baltimore.
Court Sides With Neighbor Taking Land Without Payment
A case in New York has reasserted a centuries-old law allowing a user of someone else's land to acquire title without paying for it.
Ridership Plan May Be Thwarting TOD Plans
Caltrain's ridership has increased since it began its express service, but several cities looking to encourage TOD development are calling for restored local service to all stations.
One Town's Stand Against New Downtown Banks
Morristown, New Jersey, wants to ban any new bank branches from the town's business district to protect its lively pedestrian character.
Cleveland Properties Could Face Eminent Domain
As a developer sets his sights on redeveloping some of Cleveland's Cuyahoga Riverfront, the state of Ohio is considering the use of eminent domain to secure the land and ensure the economic development it promises.
When Farm Subsidies Go Bad
The Washington Post finds that the government has paid over $1.3 billion in agricultural subsidies to non-farmers, under a decades-old policy intended to eliminate subsidies. The policies are changing land use patterns in the Farm Belt.
Kelo Home To Be Relocated In Eminent Domain Settlement
The house of Susette Kelo, the plaintiff in the landmark eminent domain lawsuit will be relocated as part of an undisclosed settlement.
Extreme Pressure Building Along California's San Andreas Fault
New research in Nature indicates that conditions are right for a 100-mile stretch of California's San Andreas Fault to release pressure that has been building.
North Carolina Wetlands Protected, For A Moment
A recent change in the method of calculating the size of developable land took the state's wetlands out of the acreage. The result could have been vastly expanded stormwater-runoff infrastructure requirements for developers. But it wasn't.
In Seattle, Detached Garages May Be Approved For Apartments
With an aim toward affordable housing and helping homeowners pay their mortgage, Seattle considers allowing backyard apartments, much to the chagrin of local opponents.
Coming Soon To An Exurban County Near You
It is possible to move three, four, or even five counties out from the District of Columbia and still feel the effects of growth in the national capital region, even though Unger, W.Va. is not generally considered a suburb of Washington.
City Chooses Economic Development Over Environment
Planning commissioners in the City of Tracy cite a CEQA provision as they choose the environmentally un-friendly alternative -- a sprawling subdivision of 500 new homes.
New 'Burbs, New Suburbanism
Joel Kotkin asserts that "city sophisticates" praising downtown revivals and the New Urbanism must now admit that the suburbs are the center of attention in America and around the world.
Urbanizing Suburbia In Wisconsin
Mixed use developments are moving into the suburbs of Milwaukee as developers see the demand for combined uses spreading out from the city's core.
Looking For Retail Along Indy Waterfront
Developers in Indianapolis want to bring retail to its downtown canal, an area already busy with visitors and concentrated with housing. They're looking at San Antonio's River Walk for inspiration and advice.
Smart Growth Key To British Columbians' Health Advantage
BC has about half the obesity rate of the Northwest states, a one-third lower car-crash fatality rate, and its residents live an average of two years longer. Why?
Stockton Leaves Its Crime-Ridden Past Behind
Once rife with crime, Stockton is taking baby steps towards reducing the crime rate and attracting development to one of the Central Valley's burgeoning population centers.
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
