Urban Development

Considering Mindfulness as an Urban Planner's Tool
A recent blog post in Substack considers the appropriation of mindfulness to urban observation and, implicitly, urban planning today.

New Book Highlights How GIS Improves Outcomes
Esri Press recently published a digital book called Mapping the Nation which demonstrates how a geographic approach guides important decisions and addresses challenges around the globe.

The Benefits of Trees
In addition to all the economically valuable services they provide, trees are beautiful as pure aesthetic objects and a welcome presence in any landscape.

Securing Smart Cities: Financial Cybersecurity in an Urban Age
Explore financial cybersecurity in smart cities, addressing urban vulnerabilities and strategies for protection.

Arizona’s ‘Car-Free’ Community Takes Shape
Culdesac Tempe has been welcoming residents since last year.
TOD Opportunities Around America's First True High-Speed Rail Line
Brightline West hopes to break ground, in anticipation of a 2027 opening. Cities in the Inland Empire and High Desert areas of Southern California are looking to take advantage.

Did the Pandemic Spur Radical Urban Change?
The Covid era highlighted social inequities and prompted new paradigms for urbanism and mobility. Will they stick around?

The Changing Shape of American Suburbs
Housing costs and availability are pushing more American households, including young families, to suburbs and exurbs — and they’re demanding changes.

5 Urban Planning Ideas for How to Settle Mars
Colonization of the Red Planet is a hot topic of late. If someone were to try to take it from fantasy to reality, Earth's urban planners have a few tips that could help set future Martian cities up for success.

Pittsburgh To Develop Comprehensive Plan
The city voted to spend $6 million on a plan to address future development.

Opinion: Austin Zoning Reform Won’t Have Major Impact
Despite heated controversy, some experts believe the zoning changes made last year won’t make a significant dent in the local housing crisis.

Walkability Report Ranks NYC #1; Others May Surprise You
More surprising entries on the list include Houston and Los Angeles.

The Importance of LA's Exposition Park
Centrally located in Los Angeles, Exposition Park is a 160-acre urban park that is home to key recreational, cultural, educational, and athletic institutions and facilities. Learn more about the park from its general manager Andrea Ambriz.

How to Participate in Post-Pandemic Urban Resilience
In a summary of a recent talk, Chuck Wolfe provides five tools to help reimagine post-pandemic urban spaces with a focus on livability and co-creation.

Los Angeles: An Urban Planner's Guide to the City
A diverse global city, Los Angeles is characterized by unique neighborhood nodes and is a center of global trade and entertainment.

Houston: An Urban Planner's Guide to the City
Infamous for its lack of zoning codes, this east Texas port city grew thanks to the energy industry and an abundance of developable land.

Amazonian Ruins Reveal Ancient ‘Garden Urbanism’
An archaeological site shows evidence of a unique layout of dense residential buildings interspersed with a network of roads and farmland.

A Framework for Effective Transit-Oriented Development
Six principles for building vibrant, accessible communities with a focus on sustainable transportation.

Depopulation Projected in Thousands of US Cities
Many small and mid-sized cities could see a decline before 2100.

Applying a Sustainable Transportation Hierarchy
To be equitable and efficient, transportation planning must apply a sustainable transportation hierarchy that prioritizes affordable, healthy, and resource-efficient mobility options.
Pagination
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