Land Use
Spokane to Test Citywide Residential Density Incentives
The Spokane City Council in July will consider the "Building Opportunity and Choices for All" pilot program, which would allow new residential densities throughout the city.
Four ‘Low-Hanging Fruit’ Zoning Reforms
An excerpt from the latest book on zoning argues for four approaches to reform that can immediately improve land use regulation in the United States.
‘Emergency’ Historic District Alters, But Does Not Prevent, Boise Condo Project
No historic buildings were harmed to create the Residences at 132 Main.
California Coastal Commission Nixes Parking Reforms Intended to Spur ADUs in San Diego
Environmental causes run into conflict with zoning reforms intended for environmental benefit once again, as the California Coastal Commission requires San Diego to reinstate parking requirements for ADUs.
A New Master Plan for the Los Angeles River
The L.A. County Board of Supervisors voted to approved a new master plan for the L.A. River—the “Reimagined River.”
One Year, Zero Conversions: New York Revamps its Hotels-to-Housing Program
The Housing Our Neighbors with Dignity Act (HONDA) was intended to convert dormant hotels into sorely needed housing. So far the law hasn’t worked as intended.
Judge Blocks Minneapolis 2040 Implementation, Citing Lack of Environmental Review
Environmentalists have used the power of the legal system to protect the car-centric status quo of single-family zoning once again, overturning a landmark planning innovation in Minneapolis.
Project Highlights Relationship Between Zoning and Affordable Housing
A nationwide ‘digital zoning atlas’ shows how different zoning districts overlap with and affect transportation, infrastructure, and housing affordability.
Freeway Cap Park Proposed in the Heart of Cleveland
A proposal to cap part of the Innerbelt Freeway east of Downtown Cleveland would require the demolition of a vacant, historic courthouse near the East 22nd Street Bridge.
A New Housing ‘Blueprint’ for New York City
With every new mayoral administration in New York City comes a new plan for addressing the city’s housing affordability crisis. Now it’s Mayor Adams’s turn.
Unsurprisingly, People Enjoy Walking More in Safe, Green Spaces
New research shows that people are likely to walk more in places that are both walkable and green.
Owner of Phoenix’s Union Station Eyeing Redevelopment
The new owner of the historic Union Station in Phoenix has plans to transform the site into a mixed-use events venue.
What Is an Overlay District?
A zoning overlay district superimposes an additional set of regulations over an existing zoning district, or multiple zoning districts.
Amazon’s Growing Real Estate Empire
The e-commerce giant has been quietly buying up massive swaths of property as the company works to reduce shipping times as dramatically as possible.
Strong Towns: For Better Cities, End Parking Subsidies
The parking mandates and subsidies prevalent in American cities stifle development and remove agency from property owners and residents.
Denver Adopts Mandatory Inclusionary Zoning
The Denver City Council recently adopted the “Expanding Housing Affordability” policy.
How California Planning has Changed—and How it Hasn't
In the newest edition of his classic book Guide to California Planning, Bill Fulton says there is still tension between the state's suburban planning system and its urban reality.
A Second Life for the American Mall
‘Dead’ suburban malls, with their existing infrastructure, offer a variety of opportunities for redevelopment into everything from housing to parks.
Portland Approves ‘Residential Infill Project – Part 2' to Add New Forms of Residential Density
The city of Portland is already building upon the historic work of the Residential Infill Project, approved by the city in August 2021, with a new slate of zoning changes dubbed the ‘Residential Infill Project – Part 2.”
Are Urban Planners Staying Silent on Climate Gentrification?
Holmdel, New Jersey, moved its affordable housing to flood-prone land, raising a question about planners' ethical obligations to speak up against such moves.
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
