Land Use

Live From Dallas City Hall -- 'ForwardDallas!' Plan Faces Public

The Dallas Observer's city hall blog has been tracking -- literally by the minute -- the city's proposed comprehensive plan that's pushing mixed use development and meeting a local government's support, skepticism, and outright absenteeism.

June 16, 2006 - The Dallas Observer

Rincon Hill Towers To Change San Francisco's Skyline

San Francisco's skyline is on the verge of a transformation. Long known for landmarks such as the Transamerica Pyramid and Coit Tower, Rincon Hill, near the base of the Bay Bridge, will add a new dimension and a new neighborhood.

June 16, 2006 - The San Francisco Chronicle

Native Americans Oppose Development Catering To Annual Biker Rally

The foundation of a huge commercial development geared toward the massive crowds of an annual motorcycle rally has been laid on South Dakota prairie land directly adjacent to a state park and a mountaintop sacred to Native American tribes.

June 15, 2006 - Minneapolis Star-Tribune

Police Bulldoze L.A. Urban Farm, Arrest 40

Police arrest protesters, including celebrities, and forcibly shut down one of the nation's largest urban farms, a 14-acre community garden in South Central Los Angeles.

June 14, 2006 - The Los Angeles Times

Mayor's Plan To Keep Paris From Shrinking

Concerned by shrinking population and jobs, Paris' mayor outlines his plan for infrastructure investments and affordable housing creation.

June 14, 2006 - The Guardian

Book Review - 'Sprawl: A Compact History'

June 13, 2006 - Josh Stephens

City Council Votes For Eviction In Kelo Case

The decision Monday further enforces a 2005 Supreme Court decision allowing a Connecticut city's use of eminent domain to increase commercial development, though necessary court approval could delay the eviction of the two final tenants for months.

June 11, 2006 - The Los Angeles Times

Debate Rages Over Cul-de-Sacs

Proponents say cul-de-sac streets provide safety and serenity. Opponents say they are isolating and ironically dangerous to the children they purport to protect. This key American-Dream icon is increasingly in the crosshairs of progressive planners.

June 10, 2006 - National Public Radio

Measure 37-like Initiative Defeated In Napa County, California

As with Oregon's Measure 37, a property-rights group sponsored a measure to compensate land owners for losses resulting from county land use decisions. Though defeated, a similar measure, "Protect our Homes", will appear on the November state ballot.

June 10, 2006 - The San Francisco Chronicle

Balancing Growth In Miami

As Miami continues to grow and gentrify, City officials must balance the concerns of their future and existing residents.

June 10, 2006 - The Miami Herald

Last Stand for Property-rights Activists?

A year after high court's key decision, New London, Conn., voted to evict homeowners.

June 9, 2006 - The Christian Science Monitor

Adirondack Mountain Town Rejects Wal-Mart Supercenter

By a 3-2 vote, the Village of Saranac Lake in the Adirondack mountains of New York decides not to complete an environmental review for a Wal-Mart store.

June 9, 2006 - The Press Republican (Northeastern New York)

'Landmark' Bill To Allow Sale Of Public Land To Finance Development

Growth advocates applaud a bill to sell public land to finance local projects but conservationists are worried about what they consider a dangerous trend that benefits only developers.

June 8, 2006 - The Los Angeles Times

'Banking' On Open Space In Florida

Bedroom community Maitland wants to convert its strip commercial core to a downtown, but guidelines mandate open space. Redefining 'open space' has opened a door to greater intensity -- and controversy.

June 7, 2006 - The Orlando Sentinel

The Future Of Philadelphia's Waterfront

New political willpower demonstrated by Philadelphia's mayor, a state senator, and Governor Rendell has opened the door for much-needed development in the area.

June 6, 2006 - The Philadelphia Daily News

The Top 15 Sustainable Cities In The U.S.

The Pacific Northwest trumps this year's rankings, although a number of older East Coast cities also make the top ten. Criteria considered include commitment to public health, the local economy, and citizens and city cooperation on long-term goals.

June 6, 2006 - Marketwatch

Reframing New Jersey's Competitive Challenge

New research by the Brookings Institution ties New Jersey's troubling economic position to multiple forces, including rising housing costs, persistent race, class and place disparities, and unbalanced development patterns.

June 5, 2006 - NJBIZ Journal

Even in Sprawling Arizona, Downtown Condos Are Now Hip

Phoenix and Tucson are building up, not out, but is it enough to slow desert development?

June 3, 2006 - The Christian Science Monitor

Faux Suburban Downtowns Challenge Traditional City Centers

The popularity of mixed-use suburban town centers is threatening the viability of older, traditional downtowns. While many tout their urban-style amenities, the suburban centers often lack transit and -- sometimes -- even sidewalks.

June 3, 2006 - The Wall Street Journal

The Public Reacts To Miami 21

After the much anticipated unveiling of the first quadrant in the Miami 21 project on May 13th, the public is now taking the opportunity to react to the City's most ambitious urban planning effort to date.

June 2, 2006 - Miami Sun-Post

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.

Top Books

An annual review of books related to planning.

Top Schools

The definitive ranking of graduate planning programs.

100 Most Influential Urbanists

The who's who of urbanism, according to Planetizen readers.

Urban Planning Creators You Should Know

A short list of voices on social, video, and podcasting platforms.