Urban Development

Bracing for Gentrification in Houston's Near Northside

The average median price for home in Houston's Near Northside jumped from $49,500 in 2010 to $80,000 last year. Can these predominantly Latino neighborhoods retain their character as they change?

April 30, 2015 - Houston Chronicle

Small Town Art

Artists Breathe New Life Into Pennsylvania Town

Long suffering Rust Belt woes and lacking the name recognition of a Pittsburgh or Detroit, York opened its doors to another overlooked group: artists. The results so far are impressive.

April 29, 2015 - Belt Magazine

Seattle Waterfront Condos

Focus on Affordability at APA National Conference

For all the discussion about affordable housing at the APA National Conference in Seattle last week, clear solutions have yet to emerge. Polycentric regional planning is one long-term goal.

April 28, 2015 - CityLab

Arizona Suburb

Sun Belt Remains Destination of Choice for Migrants

Census Bureau data indicates that the shift to Sun Belt suburbs is still the majority preference. Turns out warmth, jobs, and affordable housing are a powerful triumvirate.

April 28, 2015 - The New York Times

Race and ethnicity 2010: New York City

Study: More Than Income, Race Influences Neighborhood Standards

Although income inequality receives plenty of coverage these days, research suggests that neighborhoods of color have less access to resources than white neighborhoods despite similar median incomes.

April 28, 2015 - Next City

How Community Benefit Programs Create Value-Added Growth and Protect Public Resources

With redevelopment funding no longer an option, South San Francisco and other cities increasingly are looking to a community benefits platform, according to Murtaza Baxamusa, a planner and urban planning professor.

April 28, 2015 - UrbDeZine

Chicago El

Even Chicago Struggles with Transit Oriented Development

As Chicago's population slowly dwindles, Yonah Freemark argues that the city needs to take advantage of one of its greatest assets: its transit network. Housing for residents of all incomes near transit stops may be the key.

April 27, 2015 - Metropolitan Planning Council

Cleveland 4th Street St. Patrick's

The Case for a Walkable Cleveland

In this long-form article, G.M. Donley reminds us why walkable and diverse communities have become such a planning staple. In Cleveland, New Urbanism contends with a history of sprawl and decreasing population.

April 27, 2015 - Belt Magazine

Will Expenses in Coastal Cities Lead to Northeast Ohio's Resurgence?

Joel Kotkin recently waded into the conversation about that it will take to return Legacy Cities into the prosperity of former years.

April 26, 2015 - The Plain Dealer

Staten Island Ferry "Spirit of America"

The Rise of the Fifth Borough

With real estate prices rising in the other boroughs, Staten Island is starting to look more like Brooklyn, Queens, and the Bronx. Extensive retail and residential developments are underway in what has always been New York City's suburban borough.

April 25, 2015 - New York Times

Salk Institute

Public Space and Placemaking—Emphasis on the Public

The Salk is an exceptional world-class space, and it is accessible, but it is not a public space, writes urban designer Howard Blackson, III.

April 25, 2015 - UrbDeZine

Supremo Tribunal Federal

MoMA Exhibit Explores Latin American Architecture

A new exhibit at MoMA celebrates the "fitfully idealistic" architecture of Latin America, 1955 through 1980. Broad in scope, the exhibition ranges from Brasília's bold utopianism to the community-focused tactics of Bo Bardi.

April 24, 2015 - The Economist

A New 'Livability Index' to Help Americans Age in Place

Following on research findings produced a year ago, AARP announced the release of its Livability Index earlier this week at the APA National Planning Conference.

April 23, 2015 - Reverse Mortgage Daily

McMansion Construction

Los Angeles (Temporarily) Bans New McMansions

Concerns about out-of-character construction, much of it oversized, has led the Los Angeles City Council to prohibit construction of additional 'McMansions.' In some areas, all new development will be held up for two years.

April 23, 2015 - Los Angeles Daily News

Op-Ed: End the Excuses for Lack of Housing Construction

An op-ed in the Boston Globe argues that the endless negotiations over new residential developments—including over the inclusion of affordable housing units—hurts the city's housing market.

April 23, 2015 - Boston Globe

Minneapolis Celebration

Why Is Minneapolis Growing Faster Than Chicago?

The data shows Minneapolis recovered from the recession more quickly than Chicago. And its growth rates continue to surpass those of its larger neighbor. Why did this happen, and which policies deserve credit?

April 22, 2015 - Metropolitan Planning Council

Orange Line Bus

Los Angeles May Upgrade Orange Line BRT to Rail

The San Fernando Valley's Orange Line bus rapid transit enjoys solid ridership. For an area of the city especially under-served by trains, investing in light rail might be a viable option.

April 22, 2015 - Los Angeles Times

Hipster Cyclists

Op-Ed: Stop the Hipster Hate

Un-American to some, symbol of oblivious privilege to others, the urban hipster is a polarizing character. But the stereotype also lays blanket criticism on those simply trying to make people-scaled cities work.

April 22, 2015 - kevinklinkenberg.com

Foresight and the Built Environment

In the ever changing global landscape, organizations need to anticipate and adapt to shifting circumstances to survive. AJ Artemel spoke to Dr. Gereon Uerz of the Arup Foresight + Innovation team to discuss how this can be realized.

April 21, 2015 - Arup Connect

San Francisco Skyline

San Francisco Seeks Lighter Side of Market Street

San Francisco recently hosted a series of events to make the city's backbone, Market Street, a little more fun. It's the latest of many efforts to revitalize a street that has been problematic even as the rest of the city has boomed.

April 20, 2015 - Next City

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.