Land Use
Sprawling To The Biosphere
When The Biosphere was originally built in 1991, it was in the middle of nowhere in the Sonoran Desert. Today, hyper suburban development between Tucson and Phoenix threatens its very existence.
City Life: New 3D Planning Game Called 'SimCity With a Conscience'
City Life is a stunning city-building simulation which gives players the opportunity to build and manage a modern day metropolis in a fully 3D world. The game is being hailed as "SimCity with a conscience."
Next Generation Business Parks
Turning sprawling office parks into compact transit villages may be solve both congestion and energy issues at once.
Study Finds Local Ordinances Create Sprawl
A new study shows that Adequate Public Finance Ordinances (APFOs)in the National Capital Region may counter state's efforts at managing growth effectively.
Japan Bans New Suburban Malls
As Japan's population shrinks, the Japanese government bans the development of new shopping malls or amusement centers exceeding 108,000 s.f. in suburban areas to prevent the 'hollowing out' of urban centers.
FL County Approves Huge Rural Development Conflicting With Comprehensive Plan
Despite working with rural property owners for seven years to develop a 'sector plan' directing growth in rural areas, Palm Beach County voted to send a proposed plan amendment allowing 10,000 homes to the State for review. Area residents object.
Planning Theories Are Meaningless Without Citizen Involvement
Two PBS documentary producers reflect on their experience with the state of urban development in cities across the country.
Model Smart Land Development Regulations
The APA has created 11 model smart growth codes, which are available for download.
Wal-Mart Victim Of Eminent Domain?
The city council of Hercules, CA, votes unanimously to use eminent domain to take Wal-Mart's land and stop it from building a store.
Does Land Use Planning Equal Unaffordable Housing In San Francisco?
Randal O'Toole blames land use planning for high housing costs in San Francisco in this op-ed column.
California City May Stop Wal-Mart By Taking Its Land
Hercules, California, known for a recent New Urbanist development, may stop a proposed Wal-Mart by using eminent domain to take its land. This would be the first time that a city took land from Wal-Mart.
Will Southern Maine Become The New State of 'Northern Massachusetts'?
Differences between largely rural, conservative northern Maine and the more urban and progressive southern half of the state are growing wider, with conflicts coming to a head over the preservation of Maine's famous North Woods.
California's Official Pro-Sprawl City?
At the southern tip of California's San Joaquin Valley lies Bakersfield, a city of 312,000, expected to grow to 730,000 in three decades. It has just doubled its sphere of influence and shows little inclination to put restraints on growth.
Kunstler On Peak Oil And Politics
Urbanist James Howard Kunstler talks about peak oil, the railway system, new urbanism, and politics.
Duany Brings New Urbanism To Pacifica, California
Andres Duany is working with developer Don Peebles and the residents of Pacifica to develop a New Urbanist project on an 87 acre parcel.
Seven County Central Florida Region Initiates Long-Range Planning
With the seven-county Central Florida region projected to double its population by 2050, coordinated planning is critical. The think tank myregion.org will start a 15-month visioning process with a meeting May 17th.
Fast-Growing Florida County Approves Controversial Long-Range Plan
After months of discussion, St. Lucie County Commissioners approved a controversial amendment to their long-range plan. The "Towns, Villages and Countryside" plan limits growth to towns or villages instead of subdivisions, and mandates open space.
Miami's Most Ambitious Planning Project
With a focus on simplifying the development process and historic preservation, Elizabeth Plater-Zyberk, the lead consultant on the Miami 21 Project, unveiled the first quadrant of the City's most ambitious urban planning project to date.
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
