Density

Maryland School

The Impacts of Zoning Laws in Montgomery County

Historic zoning decisions have left a lasting legacy of housing inequality. Current leaders have the opportunity to change that.

February 1, 2021 - Greater Greater Washington

Coronado

Lawsuit Targets Granny Flat Law Compliance in California

A real estate group claims the city has been denying and delaying ADU permits in violation of city and state laws.

January 25, 2021 - San Diego Union-Tribune

Subdivision

CNU Report Outlines Incremental Steps for More Walkable Suburbs

Transforming suburban sprawl is a massive undertaking, but these small steps can help communities understand their needs and assets and develop clear, actionable goals for the future.

January 21, 2021 - CNU

Coronavirus Testing

Density Takes Center Stage in the Pandemic, Again

The latest in a series of compendia tackling the effects of the pandemic, now and in the future, for cities and communities.

January 7, 2021 - James Brasuell

Prospect Hill Park, Waltham, MA

'Housing Choice' Approved in Massachusetts

The Housing Choice initiative, one of the country's most sweeping planning and development reforms to date, was included in a large economic development package approved by the Massachusetts Legislature earlier this week.

January 7, 2021 - Mass Live

Venice Beach Coronavirus

Los Angeles Mayor Blames COVID Outbreak on Density

Appearing on a Sunday news show, Mayor Eric Garcetti noted that the Los Angeles metropolitan region is the nation's densest and one of two primary reasons why "we're seeing a person every six seconds contract COVID-19 here in Los Angeles County."

January 6, 2021 - CBS News

Chicago Apartments

Upzoning Isn't a Silver Bullet for Housing Affordability

Zoning changes have been a popular way to increase density and affordable housing, but more diversified policies could fill in the gaps where zoning fails.

December 22, 2020 - The Urbanist

Utah

Study Touts the Housing Affordability Benefits of Density for the State of Utah

The density debate can't be avoided in fast-growing Utah, according to the researchers and political leaders who support the findings of a new report from the University of Utah's Kem C. Garner Policy Institute.

December 21, 2020 - The Salt Lake Tribune

Missing Middle Housing

Statewide Zoning Changes Adopted in Oregon to Limit Parking, Add Missing Middle

The state of Oregon made planning history in 2019 by adopting House Bill 2001, paving the way for the state to preempt local exclusionary zoning laws. Now, over a year later, the state land use board has decided how to implement that goal.

December 15, 2020 - Sightline Institute

Mount Rainier

Sweeping Zoning Reforms Adopted in Olympia

The Olympia, Washington City Council adopted a new Housing Options Code Amendments ordinance, effectively eliminating single-family zoning in the city.

December 13, 2020 - The Olympian

Maryland

Zoning Changes Would Allow Transit-Oriented Multi-Family Development in Montgomery County

Montgomery County, Maryland wants to put its zoning where its transit is—it's just the latest in a string of transit-oriented land use reforms for the famously suburban county.

December 9, 2020 - Bethesda Magazine

Washington

City Council Rejects Rezoning Approved by Planning Commission, Planning Staff

It's a tale as old as time: A plan to rezone ten acres of land in Spokane splits the public and the City Council from the opinions of the city's planning staff and Planning Commission.

December 3, 2020 - The Spokesman-Review

Seattle

Researchers Flaunt the Benefits of Reduced Minimum Parking Requirements

Seattle is one of the U.S. cities shrinking minimum parking requirements to allow for denser, more affordable development near transit.

December 2, 2020 - Transfers Magazine

Accessory Dwelling Unit

Accessory Dwelling Units Gain Legislative Momentum in Denver

Accessory dwelling units, also known as granny flats or mother-in-law units, gained a critical foothold in Denver earlier this month, and the Denver City Council is already maneuvering for more.

November 30, 2020 - The Denver Post

Boston, Massachusetts

Unlocking the Potential of Transit Adjacent Land for Housing Affordability

A case study from the Boston region shows the power of allowing moderate density on transit adjacent residential parcels currently available only to single-family detached homes.

October 26, 2020 - Brookings

Accessory Dwelling Units

'Permit Ready Plans' for ADUs Published in Stockton, California

Cities looking to provide incentive for the construction of accessory dwelling units are increasingly released "permit ready plans" to help the cause.

October 12, 2020 - City of Stockton

Brooklyn, New York City

Rezoning a Wealthy Neighborhood in the Name of Equity

An opinion piece makes the case that a rezoning proposal for the Brooklyn neighborhood of Gowanus has a higher potential for new affordable housing and lower risk of displacement compared to other rezoning plans in the city.

September 24, 2020 - City Limits

Accessory Dwelling Unit

An Online Portal for Designing Accessory Dwelling Units

The ADUniverse website offers pre-approved designs for homeowners who want to add Accessory Dwelling Units on properties in Seattle.

September 17, 2020 - The Urbanist

Residential Neighborhood

Missing Middle Density Will Take More Than Zoning Changes

Looking for change in the housing supply? "Don't stop at the zoning code and think you're done. There's so much work left to do."

September 8, 2020 - Strong Towns

Highway 65 Construction

Zoning Reforms Underwhelm in Minneapolis as Development Market Holds Course

As one of the first city's to comprehensively allow for residential density, Minneapolis was probably hoping for more than what it's achieved so far.

September 2, 2020 - City Pages

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.